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2007 Election Summary
Linked to groups: Bergen Grassroots
2007 Election Summary
The 2007 election campaign ended on Tuesday with mostly predictable results. The statewide turnout of about 35% is fairly typical for an off-year election in which the highest office on the ballot is a Senate seat in the State Legislature.
For Bergen Grassrooters, the biggest story was the election in District 37. After a bruising primary period in June, when BCDO Boss Joe Ferriero threatened to run a slate of candidates against them, Loretta Weinberg and her Real Bergen Democrats easily won re-election, Loretta by a 75-25 margin. Her running mates Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Gordon Johnson also won, although Gordon appears to have received a mild slap on the wrist—in the shape of fewer votes than Valerie—for his acknowledgment that he had given almost $2,000 to the perennial presidential candidate and convicted felon Lyndon LaRouche over 2005 and 2006. To their credit, Loretta and Valerie did not defend him blindly, expressing disappointment about his judgment and pointing instead to his excellent voting record in the Legislature.
If you read our endorsement notice a few days ago, you know that the Bergen Grassroots Steering Committee concluded it could not endorse the Democratic candidates for Freeholder and for Senate and Assembly in the other Bergen legislative districts because it is overwhelmingly apparent that these officeholders and candidates count their loyalty to Joe Ferriero well above their obligations to their constituents. We think we proved that during the campaign. The three Freeholder candidates won, as did the Paul Sarlo slate in District 36 and the Robert Gordon slate in District 38. In 39, incumbent Gerald Cardinale, an easy-to-define conservative, defeated Democrat Joe Ariyan by some 12 points, despite tons of money "wheeled" into the district by Ferriero and others.
In another very expensive contest in Monmouth County, considered to be the top of the card in New Jersey this time around, Democratic incumbent Senator Ellen Karcher lost her seat to Republican challenger Jennifer Beck. As in the Cardinale-Ariyan campaign, the GOP was outspent 6 to 1, but the Republicans candidates won by a comfortable margin. In both cases, very little of substance was discussed.
In Englewood, Charlotte Bennett Schoen won handily, continuing a circumstance in which our good guys dominate governmental life while...
...Mayor Michael Wildes seeks photo ops in a post that is fundamentally ceremonial.In Bergenfield, the Real Bergen Democrats slate of Tim Driscoll for mayor, Bruce Carlson for re-election to the Council and Barry Doll for Council won handily, simply certifying their miracle run in the June primary, when they whipped three Ferrierocrats, earning the nomination of the Democratic Party. Thus begins a new life of transparency for the residents of Bergenfield. Good for them.
We were disappointed that two candidates we supported in Hasbrouck Heights—Carol Skiba for Mayor and Helayne Weiss for Council—were unsuccessful. We know they'll continue the fight, particularly Carol, who has told us a number of times she wants Boss Joe's head on a plate. I'm confident she's not a quitter.
We also have an active interest in Edgewater, where the Independent Coalition for a Better Edgewater fights tenaciously with a Mayor and Council dominated by Ferrierocrats. Last night, our guys won one of three seats, creating a new balance of 3-3 on the Council. Unfortunately, the Mayor, chief of the Ferrierocrats, provides the deciding vote, but this is a feisty, civic-minded group and I'm confident we'll be hearing from them again.
I assume you all know that the public questions One and Two were defeated. Question One tried to tie up one penny of the sales tax for property tax relief and Question Two sought to use public funds to underwrite stem cell research. Both lost 54-46. Question Three provided funds for open space projects for one year. It passed by a 53 to 47 margin. Apparently, the voters seemed to be saying: "Don't ask us about how to manage money until you have the economy in order." Fortunately, they made an exception in favor of their surroundings, going against the trend of the other two by approving funds to continue preservation of open space. Question Four asked us for permission to remove the words "idiot" and "insane" from the New Jersey Constitution. It passed easily, of course, but the fact is that about 40% of our state's voters said "no," which tends to trivialize all the other "no" votes. If they didn't read Question Four, can we be certain they read the others? Paul Eisenman's letter to the editor in the November 8, 2007 edition of The Record raises the question.
Finally, we'd like to set the stage for the months ahead by reporting something Loretta said in a recent candidate debate. As reported in Charlie Stile's column in The Record, she said, "I want my party to start having a platform again. I want my party to start talking about things that are important. I want my party to be about something other than a moneymaking machine so that they can go on New York, Philadelphia television. I want us to talk about issues, what we stand for and why we stand for it." Charlie added, "Unfortunately, that kind of sentiment didn't play much of a role in this fall's campaign, in which New Jersey Democrats spent close to $40 million in special-interest cash to retain majority control of the Legislature. And some experts doubt that it will help to shape the agenda of the next Legislature, either."
One cannot second-guess Mr. Stile's pessimism; past performance supports it. But Bergen Grassroots has plans for our home county that will begin to free us from the dictatorship of the pay-to-play system and we expect to see substantial progress toward our goal in the months ahead.
The Bergen Grassroots Steering Committee
With the Mukasey confirmation, the Democrats have outdone themselves in hypocrisy and cowardice.
Remember folks, the Rethugs can derail any Democratic bill with 41 votes. Dems had the 41 votes if the presidential candidates had been present, and one of them had had the guts to start and lead a filibuster.
Not one of them had the guts to do it. And they presume to be able to lead this country.
Go Dennis!
OUR CORAGEOUS DEMS
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_sdrobny_071109_impeaching_cheney_3a_w.htm
The Republican leadership in the House has voted to allow for Cheney's impeachment to reach the House floor. They think that the Democrats would be losers in the impeachment process. It is my position that the Democrats would be BIG WINNERS if they understood the constitution and what the public wants. Below are the positive points that would bolster their position with the media and the voters:
-The MSM and the Republicans are calling Democrats gutless.
-It would allow Democrats to argue that patriotism is more important than party loyalty.
-Bush would not be sidetracked because he would not be the target
-Cheney's popular polls are very low.
-Cheney is the perfect villain for the Democrats as the ultimate neocon.
-Impeachment is purely a legislative process that cannot be challenged by the other branches.
-Legislative subpoenas could not be challenged by executive privilege.
-Failure to cooperate by Cheney could cause a charge of contempt of Congress.
-The Capitol Police would have full powers to arrest and seize documents.
-Technically the Capitol Police could seize Cheney's walk in safe and arrest him.
-The impeachment trial would expose all of the criminal activity of this Administration.
-It would be leverage to negotiate an end of the war in Iraq in that Congress could drop the proceedings if Bush/Cheney agree to withdraw the troops.
-The House and Senate could finish their legislative agenda before the Senate trial
.
-Other Congressional business can be done while the trial is proceeding.
If I missed something, please let me know. My belief is that the Democrats will lose credibility with their base and independents unless they do what is best for our country. This is a fight that they should welcome instead of rationalizing that we are better off waiting until January 2009. That is a strategy that will not work with these guys. The waiting game puts us all at risk of global annihilation.
I WOULD SUBSTITUTE HAVE LOST FOR WILL LOSE
Next week I will try to write a synopsis of what went on in the Va 1st
let me try again...
next week I will try to write a synopsis of what went on in the 1st senate district of virginia.
need to try to relax this weekend as with work and setting up precincts I am exhausted.
See you all soon.
McDonald's has announced that they are going to start importing much of their beef from South America. The problem is that South Americans aren't under the same regulations as American beef producers, and the regulations they have are loosely controlled. http://www.rense.com/general79/beef.htm
Food Poisoning Law Blog
….Dr. Richard Raymond: Since January there have been 15 recalls related to E. coli in beef this year, eight of those have been associated with human illnesses. In comparison, in 2006 there were only eight related recalls and none of those were related to human illnesses and in 2005 there were only five E. coli related recalls. So obviously something has changed.
. . . We are announcing today that we will begin testing more domestic and imported ground beef components. (Topps food imported beef trim from Canada – NOT tested and added it to their product). http://foodpoisoning.pritzkerlaw.com/archives/cat-recalls.htmlI Just loved this news alert and had to share....just the blurb, nothing more.
"Al Gore Favorite to be 'Time' Person of the Year Rush" Limbaugh might as well take a nitroglycerin tablet right now, because it sounds like Al Gore is going to be Time's person of the year for 2007.
LMAO
and then...
it will be President Al Gore!
Al Gore is going to be Time's person of the year for 2007.
That would be wonderful
and then...
it will be President Al Gore!
That would be wonderful too, but I don't think that's going to happen Linda.
With his Global standing, I don't think he's going to put himself or his family through the trauma of:
- Taking on the Clintons
- Taking on the Republican smear machine
It looks like I have help lined up and will be at the JJ dinner at the front table no less thanks to a ticket major upgrade from a good friend, Indy and David should be able to recognize me from Deanfest on C-Span,but how many 6-6 300 lb guys with a full beard do you think will be there? I'll report, don't call Chuck if I'm off for a couple of days, but paine where are you?
tonite a harder job
a wake for a former employee who lost his battle with a disease at 38
6:17
I'd still give Gore better odds than Kucinich as of tonight. Biden and Dodd too.
Sad, Phil
I'd still give Gore better odds than Kucinich as of tonight. Biden and Dodd too.
I'd love to see Dodd as nominee.
It's too bad that Democratic Sheeple can't look at Kucinich's position on the ISSUES, which puts him head and shoulders (despite his diminutive stature) above the rest of the Democratic field.
Gore is well known, so wouldn't face the long odds that lesser mortals would in getting in this late.However, he'd still have a battle, both with the Clinton machine and the media, which (for whatever reason) love to hate Al.
For his own sake, and that of his family, I hope he's able to resist the pressure of well-meaning devotees.
Well, any real Democrat will have to face the Republican smear machine and I heard Al Gore has created a special organic coating instrumental in deflecting attacks that sh!t just slides off of! :)
Al Gore on 30 Rock (Al Gore rushes off to save a whale!) :)
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/08...
All I can say, if Al Gore does enter, he will have the hugest following and support for having for being seen to have the Chutzpah to come SAVE THE DAY!
..... OK, ok, I'll stop. LOL
....but...you heard, haven't you?
YEP
Superman wears Al Gore pajamas.
OK...I'm off......more tiling to do anyway.
AND OF COURSE, THE DEMOCRATS ARE MARCHING TO ISRAEL'S (AND AIPAC'S DRUMBEAT
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_michael__071107_the_neoconservative_.htm
The Bush administation has covered up and ignored dissenting Pentagon war games analysis that suggests an attack on Iran’s nuclear or military facilities will lead directly to the annihilation of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet now stationed in the Persian Gulf. Lt. General Paul Van Riper led a hypothetical Persian Gulf state in the 2002 Millennium Challenge wargames that resulted in the destruction of the Fifth Fleet. His experience and conclusions regarding the vulnerability of the Fifth Fleet to an assymetrical military conflict and the implications for a war against Iran have been ignored. Neoconservatives within the Bush administration are currently aggressively promoting a range of military actions against Iran that will culminate in it attacking the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet with sophisticated cruise anti-ship missiles. They are ignoring Van Riper’s experiences in the Millennium Challenge and how it applies to the current nuclear conflict with Iran.Iran has sufficient quantities of cruise missiles to destroy much or all of the Fifth Fleet which is within range of Iran’s mobile missile launchers strategically located along its mountainous terrain overlooking the Persian Gulf. The Bush administration is deliberately downplaying the vulnerability of the Fifth Fleet to Iran’s advanced missile technology which has been purchased from Russia and China since the late 1990’s. The most sophisticated of Iran’s cruise missiles are the ‘Sunburn’ and ‘Yakhonts’. These are missiles against which U.S. military experts conclude modern warships have no effective defense. By deliberately provoking an Iranian retaliation to U.S. military actions, the neoconservatives will knowingly sacrifice much or all of the Fifth Fleet. This will culminate in a new Pearl Harbor that will create the right political environment for total war against Iran, and expanded military actions in the Persian Gulf region.
Quite apart from other considerations, we'll be paying $8-10/gallon for gas (if we can get it.)
Wake up, Democrats!
Just drove in the car with a Naval Captain - a big weenie on Whidbey - his daughter and mine are swimming together in the State Championships. Nice enough fellow but even at his level (06) he is woefully misinformed on so many issues. I appreciate his service to our country but what sort of kooI-aid are these folks drinking? I think he's in the 23% that will head over the cliff with Bush. He even had a yard sign which read *Defend our Freedoms - Support our President*. Yikes.
At least this gave my husband and I some time to correct him on some issues. He was a classic talking points sort of guy. Tall on rhetoric and short on facts. Now I have a headache. Gee, we get to do this tomorrow too. LOL
23. Mary...thank you for your service :)
...hey, if you're gonna' be on Whidbey again tomorrow, are they still having their Farmers Market with local produce? I remember them having great apples!
Hey Linda - The meet is in Federal Way - south of Seattle so we won't be on Whidbey - that's where the fellow is based. I don't know about their Farmer's Market since I don't live on Whidbey. I'll check into it for the spring though.
Thanks, Joan. After the swim finals tomorrow - we head out to check out some colleges so it will be a big week.
Nite all.
From last thread, only becuz I think it's very newsworthy.
http://www.opednews.com
Tell A Friend
The Bush administation has covered up and ignored dissenting Pentagon war games analysis that suggests an attack on Iran’s nuclear or military facilities will lead directly to the annihilation of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet now stationed in the Persian Gulf. Lt. General Paul Van Riper led a hypothetical Persian Gulf state in the 2002 Millennium Challenge wargames that resulted in the destruction of the Fifth Fleet. His experience and conclusions regarding the vulnerability of the Fifth Fleet to an assymetrical military conflict and the implications for a war against Iran have been ignored. Neoconservatives within the Bush administration are currently aggressively promoting a range of military actions against Iran that will culminate in it attacking the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet with sophisticated cruise anti-ship missiles. They are ignoring Van Riper’s experiences in the Millennium Challenge and how it applies to the current nuclear conflict with Iran.
Iran has sufficient quantities of cruise missiles to destroy much or all of the Fifth Fleet which is within range of Iran’s mobile missile launchers strategically located along its mountainous terrain overlooking the Persian Gulf. The Bush administration is deliberately downplaying the vulnerability of the Fifth Fleet to Iran’s advanced missile technology which has been purchased from Russia and China since the late 1990’s. The most sophisticated of Iran’s cruise missiles are the ‘Sunburn’ and ‘Yakhonts’. These are missiles against which U.S. military experts conclude modern warships have no effective defense. By deliberately provoking an Iranian retaliation to U.S. military actions, the neoconservatives will knowingly sacrifice much or all of the Fifth Fleet. This will culminate in a new Pearl Harbor that will create the right political environment for total war against Iran, and expanded military actions in the Persian Gulf region.
The Fifth Fleet’s Vulnerability to Iran’s Anti-Ship Missile Arsenal
The U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet is headquartered in the Gulf State of Bahrain which is responsible for patrolling the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Suez Canal and parts of the Indian Ocean. The Fifth Fleet currently comprises a carrier group and two helicopter carrier ships. Its size peaked at five aircraft carrier groups and six helicopter carriers in 2003 during the invasion of Iraq. Presently, it is led by the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier commissioned in 1961, and on November 2, began participating in a Naval exercise in the Persian Gulf .
Huron.....LOL....same posts, same time. But the meat is no laughing matter.
Huron John, #2, how is torture addressed in the Constitution? I am writing an open letter to Senator Salazar, and even though in the debate I heard that statement, I don't know it specifically. Can you help me with this?
Thanks.
Oh, Phil, again your sad story reminds me that we should never let the sun set on our anger...whether towards family or friends.
It's unfortunate that not everyone understands how important it is.
Years ago, I read the 3 rules for happiness:
1. Ask for what you want, but don't expect to get it.
2. Accept what is..........for now.
3. Turn up your love.
Well, now American Muslims, who love this country, will have a great reason to dislike it. It's a world gone insane.
Protest Greets Police Plan to Map Muslim Angelenos
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/110907B.shtml
Neil MacFarquhar, reporting for The New York Times, writes: "A plan by the counterterrorism bureau of the Los Angeles Police Department to create a map detailing the Muslim communities in that city, an effort described as a step toward thwarting radicalization, has angered civil rights groups, which say it is no better than racial profiling."
Hey Phil are you 6-6 and weigh 300?
Seashell I now understand AIPAC trial - guys say they should get off b/c they were passing secrets for Americans. Thanks.
PAINE JUST SAY YOU ARE OK.
Folks watch Reagan library on CSPAN in a few moments.
bbl
With a mercenary army, wars could continue forever, with the bill coming to us. We don't need a draft, just pay anybody, anywhere tons of money to kill whomever it is that our prez wants killed.
Impeach Cheney NOW.
Behind Blackwater: an Interview With Jeremy Scahill
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/110807J.shtml
The dangers behind Blackwater's rise to power have not been told among the hours of coverage by the mainstream media, so Truthout's Geoff Millard sat down with Jeremy Scahill, author of a new book on the mercenary firm. In this interview, Scahill delves deep into the real dangers of a private mercenary army as powerful as Blackwater.
Can we really believe this?
We already know this, but to see it in headlines is chilling....they will continue the torture policy.
The only four Democratic senators who did not vote on the nomination of Mukasey – and the legitimization of torture and presidential tyranny it represents – were the four Democratic senators seeking the presidency.
Uh oh, I read that too fast. Now I can't remember if they just didn't vote or if they voted no...I think they were AWOL, weren't they?
Oh, I'm OK, Annilow. Saw Thankful today. She looks well and grounded, and she's gots a better sled nowdays.
Caetano Veloso and David Byrne in Concert
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4500608
@ 38:40
Hour 1 Playlist
"Life During Wartime" w/David Byrne
"Road to Nowhere" w/David Byrne
"Nothing But Flowers" w/David Byrne
"Heaven" w/David Byrne
new thread
http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22894...
Hi mprov! We seem to be doing that a lot lately.
See you over at the next thread.
Do the Texas cattle feeders provide organic environments or are they essentially CAFOs? Same question for the foreign beef companies. Don't take this the wrong way as i am for buying local, but if the beef from elsewhere is free from hormones and chemicals...
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