Pedantic Political Ponderings: Christie

Showing posts with label Christie. Show all posts

02 May 2012

FollowUp 27: Wisconsin Republican Dirty Tricks

Another followup on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's complaint about big money pouring into the recall election from out of state. Channel 3000 has a short article about some of Mr. Walker's big donors, many from out of state.

They've come up big for the embattled governor as he faces recall this spring, helping him shatter Wisconsin's political fundraising record. Campaign finance reports filed Monday show Walker raised a record $13.1 million between Jan. 18 and last week.

Among his chief benefactors were Diane M. Hendricks, founder of Beloit-based American Builders and Contractors Supply Co.; Sheldon Adelson, chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Sands casino; and Richard DeVos, owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team and co-founder of the Amway Corp., a direct-sales company.

Five others handed him $100,000 each.

The first one, Ms. Hendricks, is in private equity (same profession that Mitt Romney was prior to being a politician) and is based in Wisconsin. The rest of those listed are from outside of Wisconsin. Mr. Adelson, famous for funding much of Newt Gingrich's SuperPAC from Nevada, jumps out as notable. This is a lot of out of state money.

The hypocrisy from the Governor is fairly blatant at the start of this clip from Channel 3000. Whether the Democrats choose Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett or former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk to run in June, the money is distinctly lopsided.

In terms of the Republican Primary, Arthur Kohl-Riggs has raised about two thousand dollars to go up against the Governor's millions.

Of course, the attention in Wisconsin will be on the Democratic Primary on 8 May for another week. Then the spotlight can return to the lies from Governor Walker and a state in crisis that Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, campaigning for Governor Walker, is blaming on "a narrow group of citizens."

Sorry, Mr. Christie, but the labor movement is not a narrow group of citizens. The labor movement is at the heart of society and the core of the middle class.

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.
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.

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.

20 February 2012

20 February 2012: Marriage News Watch

18 February 2012

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.

13 February 2012

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.

10 February 2012

FollowUp 7: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

Recently there has been very good news for proponents of equality coming from Washington State. Governor Gregoire promised to sign legislation that has recently been passed, and is expected to do so the day before Valentine's Day. I have written a few articles on Governor Chris Gregoire, on State Senator Ed Murray, and on State Representative Maureen Walsh.

Today Think Progress put the following video on YouTube where Washington Governor Gregoire says that she will call New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and share with him her journey from being opposed to equality to now promising to sign the bill that will bring marriage equality to Washington State.

Ah to be a fly on the wall when that conversation happens. Governor Christie will not be changing his public position as that would jeopardize with the national GOP. Still it would be fun to listen in.

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.

13 February 2012, FollowUp 8.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

06 February 2012

6 February 2012: Marriage News Watch

03 February 2012

FollowUp 6: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

The move toward marriage equality appears to be moving fast in New Jersey. The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed their bill for marriage equality along party lines, 5 - 2. The same bill already passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. The New Jersey Star-Ledger has two clips on-line from yesterday's hearing. First is testimony from Greg Quinlan who claims that sexuality is mutable.

UPDATE: If both videos are the same, of Miss Galluccio and neither of Mr. Quinlan (it keeps changing, which has me confused), then use this link: http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2012/02/same-sex_marriage_opponent_hom.html

Mr. Quinlan is wrong. It is likely that Mr. Quinlan is a bisexual, not simply a homosexual. The immutable nature of sexuality is part of the statements of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, and others.

The same documents indicate that the full nature of sexuality is not known. Claiming that "same-sex attraction is not inborn but is likely a product of external factors" cannot be shown at this point in the research into the nature of sexuality.

The claim that people change from homosexual to heterosexual attraction is fiction. I discussed the liars behind "reparative therapy" in November 2011. But, even if some people could magically change their sexuality, that would not be a reason to deny marriage equality to those who choose to maintain their love and commitment with someone of the same gender.

The second video clip of testimony is of Madison Galluccio, the daughter of two fathers.

Miss Galluccio is correct. Discrimination has ramifications beyond gay couples.

Governor Christie has already promised to veto marriage equality legislation. The Star-Ledger has the calendar for that legislation:

[T]he full Assembly [is set] for a vote on Feb. 16. The Senate is poised to take up the legislation on Feb. 13.

The Governor is now defending is call to turn marriage equality into a referendum for the November election.

Again, from the Star-Ledger, the Senate President responds:

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) immediately fired back that he would not allow a referendum on the issue.

"It’s time for everyone, from the governor to the chattering observers, to stop talking about a marriage equality referendum in terms of ‘if,’" he said in a written statement. "There will be no referendum on marriage equality in New Jersey, period."

That means that the legislature needs to not just pass the legislation but will need enough votes to override Governor Christie's promised veto. While the initial votes to pass marriage equality are likely, the override would be the first time that Governor Christie has any of his vetoes overridden. A tall order.

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.

10 February 2012, FollowUp 7.

13 February 2012, FollowUp 8.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

31 January 2012

FollowUp 5: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

There are six living former governors of New Jersey. Four are Democrats and two are Republicans. Unlike sitting Governor Chris Christie, all of them told New York's NBC4 that they support marriage equality.

Democrats Brendan Byrne and James Florio told NBC New York Monday they endorsed efforts in the Legislature to pass it.

"I think the climate is right on a basis of civil rights," said Byrne, the oldest of the former Garden State governors. "I would ask that the Legislature pass it."

Florio told NBC New York, "I have no difficulties with it."

Tom Kean, one of the two Republicans among the six living former governors, called himself a libertarian on the issue.

"There are already people living together, as good neighbors and good people and contributing to the economy of this state, and I don't see any reason why they shouldn't be able to continue with the blessing of marriage," Kean said.

Former Govs. Jon Corzine and Jim McGreevey are both on record as supporting gay marriage.

Among the six former living elected governors, Republican Christie Todd Whitman has a slightly different take.

Spokeswoman Heather Grizzle told NBC New York that Whitman supports equal rights for gay couples, but described her position as more "nuanced" because she doesn't believe government should be defining who is married.

She said that Whitman believes government should simply issue some sort of document for legal purposes to couples, whether they are homosexual or heterosexual.

The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from the public last week. The state Assembly Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on Thursday, according to an e-mail from Garden State Equality's Stephen Goldstein.

This Thursday's Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing is the final hearing on the bill and the second step in bill's prospective passage. We've had the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, capped by an 8 to 4 vote in favor of the marriage equality bill. After Thursday's Assembly Judiciary Committee hearing, in the weeks ahead the bill will go to the full Senate and the full Assembly for final floor votes.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

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.

3 February 2012, FollowUp 6.

10 February 2012, FollowUp 7.

13 February 2012, FollowUp 8.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

30 January 2012

FollowUp 4: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

New Jersey is reacting to Governor Chris Christie comments on using a referendum to achieve civil rights and the Governor responded today, as reported on nj.com.

Mr. Christie has a well-earned reputation of being a political bully. Calling a legislator "numbnuts" does nothing to improve that reputation. But it turns out that the Governor has pulled quite a dirty trick in the current round of New Jersey considering marriage equality.

I previously commented that appointing a gay man, Bruce Harris, the recently elected Mayor of Chatham Borough, to the New Jersey Supreme Court provided Governor Christie a certain amount of political insulation for when he vetoes the upcoming marriage equality legislation. It turns out that the appointment included an agreement that Mr. Harris will recuse himself from such cases.

With apologies for the obvious pun: Chris Christie has taken a path where he can have his cake and eat it too. Obviously he does so quite often.

9 January 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

25 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

26 January 2012, FollowUp 2.

28 January 2012, FollowUp 3.

31 January 2012, FollowUp 5.

3 February 2012, FollowUp 6.

10 February 2012, FollowUp 7.

13 February 2012, FollowUp 8.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

30 January 2012: Marriage News Watch

28 January 2012

FollowUp 3: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

The New Jersey Star Ledger's editorial board wrote about Governor Christie's call for a state referendum on marriage equality.

The governor’s plan is not serious. It is a political dodge. He is trying to provide a safe haven to shelter his obedient Republican legislators. The idea is they could safely vote against gay marriage, saying they only want the people to decide.

They go on to make the obvious correlation that if marriage equality for "inter-racial" marriage had to wait to pass a referendum, the 1967 Loving v Virginia decision of the Supreme Court would have had to wait at least three more decades to become law. I would argue that it would have taken even longer because changing the law to allow Blacks and Whites to wed sped the change in societal attitude.

The point is that minority rights should not be subjected to majority vote. That misses the gist of constitutional rights.

As James Madison put it in Federalist Paper 51: “It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. If a majority can be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure.”

Exactly why many of us are saying that human rights and civil rights should not be dependent upon a vote of the people. Rights should be guaranteed and protected by the Constitution.

It’s nothing but sad that the governor is playing this political game. He is ambitious for national office and knows that Republicans won’t abide a candidate on the ticket who supports gay marriage. On the other hand, he wants to contain the damage in New Jersey, where polls show most voters support marriage equality.

Our sense is that New Jersey is ready to vote for gay marriage — 52 percent favored it in a recent Quinnipiac poll. But one never knows. A low turnout and a big infusion of right-wing money could change that in a flash.

It is good that the Star Ledger's editorial board understands what is happening. I suspect that Governor Christie understands very well what his referendum proposal means, both for the state of New Jersey and for his own aspirations for national office.

9 January 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

25 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

26 January 2012, FollowUp 2.

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.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

26 January 2012

Praise: Cory Booker on Civil Rights

Stephen Goldstein of Garden State Equality said, in an e-mail today,

Immediately after you watch the video, please share it with everyone you know. I was so excited, I had to transcribe the text of the Mayor's remarks for you myself - see below. And what the heck, if the spirit moves you to donate to Garden State Equality to help our incredibly exciting campaign for marriage equality, I sure won't stop you. I'll love you even more, if that's possible, because you're already greatest members in the world. Visit www.GardenStateEquality.org to donate online.

Mayor Booker: “Dear God, we should not put civil rights issues to a popular vote to be subject to the sentiments and passions of the day. No minority should have their civil rights subject to the passions and sentiments of the majority. This is a fundamental bedrock of what our nation stands for. We have created in our state and refuse to address, and call it like it is, a second class citizenship. Let’s stop the ruse. Jackie Robinson said, every American’s right to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time. It is infuriating that we are in the 21st century and we haven’t created equality under the law. I am fundamentally, in every fiber of my being, supportive of equal citizenship for all people in this country. I am tired and exhausted that we have a country able to overcome women having second-class citizenship in this country, Blacks having a second-class citizenship in this country, Latinos having a second-class citizenship in this country, Blacks and whites who wanted to marry have a second-class citizenship in this country. Don’t just point to the Governor – we had the chance to do this under the last Governor, and we didn’t have the courage to stand up and do the right thing. It’s about time we create first-class citizenship for every American, plain and simple. Every New Jerseyan. This should not be a popular vote. This is something we should do now.”

Wonderful press conference. Thanks to Mr. Goldstein for the link.

FollowUp 2: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

Something that I missed yesterday was an incredibly ignorant statement by Governor Christie. This from the Philadelphia Inquirer (page 2).

"The fact of the matter is, I think people would have been happy to have a referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South," [Christie] said.

Of course people would prefer to have their rights without having to fight and die for them. But, to imagine that the South would have passed any referendum to grant minority rights prior to the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is delusional.

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer has reactions of some of the New Jersey Democratic leaders of the legislature.

Democrats, particularly Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D., Essex), who is African American, have repeatedly called gay marriage a civil rights issue. That's why they made it their top legislative priority this year. And that was the context in which Christie made his remarks.

Oliver responded yesterday to Christie's comments saying that he "better sit down with some of New Jersey’s great teachers for a history lesson, because his puzzling comment shows a complete misunderstanding about the civil rights movement."

“It’s impossible to ever conceive that a referendum on civil rights in the South would have been successful and brought justice to minorities...They were fighting and dying in the streets of the South because the majority refused to grant minorities equal rights by any method. It look legislative action to bring justice to all Americans, just as legislative action is the right way to bring marriage equality to all New Jerseyans."

Added Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman: "His words defy history and were extremely insensitive to the struggle for equality of African-Americans and other minorities in this country. Fighting and dying in the streets of the South was not a choice, Governor, it was the only way."

Even Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who originally had far softer words for the governor's position, claimed that the governor's call for a constitutional amendment to be voted on by the electorate was nothing more than "the official opening of his campaign for vice-president."

Newark's Mayor Cory Booker spoke on WNYC today (just sound, no image).

As I mentioned in FollowUp 1, I believe that Governor Christie will veto marriage equality after he insulated himself from charges of bigotry by appointing a homosexual to the New Jersey Supreme Court. That insulation does not extend to ignorance of history and failure to understand the Civil Rights Movement. It is obvious that Mr. Christie is using the proposition of a ballot measure on civil rights as part of positioning himself for federal office, either as a running mate for the Republican candidate for President or as a cabinet officer in the next Republican administration, perhaps for a run for the presidency in 2016.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

9 January 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

25 January 2012, FollowUp 1.

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.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

25 January 2012

FollowUp 1: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

The fight is on. New Jersey Governor responded to the state Democrats placing marriage equality as their first order of business by insulating himself against attacks of bigotry. He did so by appointing the first Black, Gay justice to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Gov. Chris Christie nominated Bruce Harris to the state Supreme Court as an associate judge just weeks after he was sworn in as the Mayor of Chatham Borough on Jan. 3.

Along with Harris, an African-American Republican, Christie nominated Phil Kwon, a Korean-American assistant attorney general. Should these nominations pass the confirmation hearing process, Harris would be the first openly gay and Kwon the first Asian-American to serve on the highest court of the state.

Having effectively limited the types of attacks from the left, Mr. Christie renewed his statement that he would veto any marriage equality bill.

As Senator Loretta Weinberg says in the below video, we do not put civil rights questions on the ballot.

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801

By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community....
To secure the public good and private rights against the danger of such a faction, and at the same time to preserve the spirit and the form of popular government, is then the great object to which our inquiries are directed.

James Madison, Federalist No. 10 (1787-11-22)

And now the Democrats of the New Jersey Senate respond.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

9 January 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

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.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

09 January 2012

Praise: NJ Democrats Call for Marriage Equality

New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, both Democrats, promised today to make marriage equality their first priority this year. It will be interesting to learn if Governor Chris Christie will reference this priority when he visits New Jersey from the campaign trail where he has been speaking for Mitt Romney. The Governor will be visiting New Jersey to deliver his annual State of the State address.

Mr. Christie has so far been adamantly opposed to marriage equality. The arguments in the above video are concise. Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Oliver are worth hearing.

Marriage equality is not about religion, because there are exemptions for that. It's about civil rights. It's about everyone having the same rights to marry and to be happy and to make choices just like I made. -- Stephen Sweeney.

This is a civil rights issue. It is a snapshot in time in the history of our country issue. And I think for those of us that believe in equality, equality, equality, marriage equality represents the third leg on the stool of civil rights and equality in this country. -- Sheila Oliver.

Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Oliver are on the right side of history. Mr. Christie is not.

Thanks to Joe My God for the heads up.

Tuesday 10 January 2012, Update: Mr. Christie's State of the State Address has been postponed due to the death of a legislator at the statehouse last night.

Sunday 15 January 2012, Update 2: The New Jersey State of the State Address will be delivered by Governor Christie on Tuesday 17 January.

Later Note: The Governor did not mention marriage or LGBTQ issues during his State of the State Address.

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.

18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.

21 February 2012, FollowUp 10.

12 December 2011

Repudiation: Education Outsourcing

New Jersey is, sadly, known for corrupt politics. When New Jersey Governor Christie appointed Chris Cerf as acting Commissioner of Education, allegations of outside private education interests surfaced quickly. Some of the history was published in PolitickerNJ less than two months after Mr. Cerf was sworn into office.

The chief financial officer of Sangari Education and the brother of Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf, Randy Cerf told PolitickerNJ.com he had no knowledge of Global Education Advisors, a company his brother founded, which undertook a $500,000 contract to examine the potential for charter school education in the City of Newark.

"Until I got your email, I had never heard of Global Ed Advisors nor have I been their CFO at any time," said Randy Cerf of Seattle in an email. "Nor do I have nor have I had any business relationship with my brother while he has served as acting education commissioner."

Prior to his appointment as acting education commissioner last month, Christopher Cerf was the chief operating officer of Sangari Global Education.

The connection to Newark may bring back memories to the Facebook grant to that city's school system.

The New Jersey Star-Ledger reports that there may be an effort afoot to not just have charter schools, but to outsource education to a foreign company, GEMS Education.

The idea has been promoted to school superintendents by one of their own, Mount Olive schools chief Larrie Reynolds. He says it could bring extra income both to cash-strapped school districts and to a private, Dubai-based company for which he works as a consultant.

Reynolds is a friend and former employee and business associate of acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf. Reynolds, who calls Cerf a "magnificent man," recently appeared with Cerf and Gov. Chris Christie on a panel to discuss school reform.

Financial kickbacks?

Under Reynolds’s plan, a company he says that he represents as a consultant — GEMS Education — would help a school district apply to the commissioner to become a "district of choice" under a newly expanded inter-district choice law, allowing it to admit students from other communities. The law gives the commissioner the power of approval.

GEMS Education, a company owned and funded by Dubai entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, would recruit outside students for the program, hire teachers privately for lower-than-contract salaries and provide supplies for a "pathways" program run independently of, but under contract to the district. The private company would split the additional state aid coming into the district as a result of its status as a choice district.

Aside from the political impropriety, there are huge problems with these sorts of programs. The model under which this is created is a business model that takes into account every cost but does not account for the variability of human beings. Students who are most likely to be shuttled into such programs tend to be those who are the most time-consuming for teachers and principals. They are the students who are most in need of time and attention, most in need of additional support, most in need of variation of lessons attuned to them as individuals.

This is one of a myriad of plans that are advocated by those who are most interested in saving taxpayer dollars instead of in investing in our children. Instead of bullying teachers, states should be investing in them and the schools.

30 November 2011

FollowUp 6: Republican Denial of Climate Change

NJSpotlight reports on a talk yesterday at Rutgers University by former New Jersey Governors Thomas Kean (a Republican) and James Florio (a Democrat).

Former Republican Gov. Thomas Kean is such a believer in climate change that he is calling on informed citizens to "confront those who don't believe in the science of it for the ignorant people that they are." Speaking before a Rutgers University conference in New Brunswick Tuesday, Kean criticized fellow Republican Gov. Chris Christie, saying it was a "shame" that he pulled New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

While Governor Christie does not deny climate change, he is unwilling to allow the cost of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to stand. So, the state of New Jersey is no longer working against climate change.

Former Gov. James Florio, however, said "we ought to be asking what it's going to cost if we don't do something."

A hotter, wetter New Jersey, with significant increases in ozone and an agricultural climate much like present-day South Carolina, is what is in store for the Garden State over the next 50 years, experts told attendees. Indeed, many of the state's traditional cash crops, notably cranberries, will not be able to flourish here in the future.

The state's agricultural sector is about, $1 billion, not counting related industries such as food processing, said Robin Leichenko of the Rutgers Climate and Environmental Change Initiative. But it accounts for 16 percent of the state's land use, and some of the country's highest per-acre farm productivity, she said.

The article goes on to discuss much more of New Jersey's economy as described by other Rutgers professors. Good article. It is also good to see that some Republicans, Mr. Kean for example, are not in denial of the science of climate change. Would that the bulk of the Republican presidential contenders were nearly so wise.

1 October 2011, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings posting.
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.

29 January 2012, FollowUp 7.
15 February 2012, FollowUp 8.
18 February 2012, FollowUp 9.
2 March 2012, FollowUp 10.
11 March 2012, FollowUp 11.
4 June 2012, FollowUp 12.

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