"What?" you say, "The Special Election was that MASSacre where the teabaggers elected one of their own to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat!"
But No. Now it's Connecticut's turn, so Wake up Connecticut!
There is a Special Election on March 2nd for State House of Representatives seat for the 120th District in Stratford!
This is the reverse-Teddy Kennedy seat on a local level. It was held for too many years by a Republican seat warmer. Now that this character is going to do nothing as Mayor of Stratford his seat is growing cold and there will be a special election. Take It Back!
Janice Andersen is the candidate. You may remember her from her valiant if not ultimately successful run for State Senate in 2008. [As an aside, if we had won that race we might not have to contend with Dibecella running against Jim Himes. Sorry, I digress...]
As a lifelong Democrat, I have stood up for these values. As a member of the Board of Education, I fought for fiscally responsible budgeting and greater transparency. As Deputy Director of a regional non-profit, I've worked day in and day out to create and support numerous youth development programs. I have a record of advocating for child and families both as a member of the Department of Children and Families State Advisory Council and past Co-Chair of Connecticut Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Council.Here is our chance for pushback - let's prove that we are not smothered by the Massachusetts special Election. Let's get Janice Andersen elected March 2nd and let's not wait until a week before the election to get to work.
Volunteer to Walk Door-to-Door on behalf of Janice Andersen every weekend between now and March 1st. People in Stratford may not be aware of the Special Election, so come be a Paul or Paulette Revere and spread the word.
Make phone calls from the Stratford Headquarters on weeknights
(They have cookies there!)
Stuff envelopes - this is actually a lot of fun, sort of like a sewing bee for politically hopped up people. Some of this may be a daytime activity, so please consider that if you have free daytime hours but not evening hours.
Janice has already qualified for the Citizen's Election Program (aka Clean Elections). It took her 2 weeks. This means that people who know Janice are ready to support her immediately.
We can win this one!
There can never be too many volunteers.
Phone Dave Mooney to volunteer: 203.645.2900
email to volunteer or otherwise communicate: dm@stratforddemocrats.com
website: janice2010.com
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
J.D. Salinger 1919-2010
The reclusive and somewhat troubled author of "Catcher in the Rye" died in his home Wednesday. I have a personal story about the famous book:
I had read it many years ago as part of our assigned reading in high school, and while it certainly may have slightly reinforced my already developing sense of defiance (Hunter S. Thompson was a much greater influence) it didn't affect me anywhere near as much as some of the book's more obsessed fans.
Like Mark David Chapman, for instance.
Which is why, just one year ago, I took this photo of the guy sitting in front of me at President Obama's inauguration parade. For someone to wait in the freezing cold for hours while clutching a well-worn copy of the nonconformist novel kind of set off an alarm in my head.
So I watched the guy like a hawk when the president approached, partly because if he did anything threatening, I'd have a chance to be the hero by maybe tackling him and safely subduing him.
Well, that's how it played out in my mind, anyway.
But mostly, because I knew if he drew a gun, I'm sure I (and CT Joyce, and everyone else standing within 20 feet of him) would have been instantly cut down by the withering cross-fire from the massive and well-armed military presence along the parade route and the numerous snipers atop the buildings. Those guys were determined not to fuck up and lose the President on the very first day!
I'm sure they were already jumpy enough because Obama decided to walk the entire parade route rather than ride in his armored limousine. And then to have some anarchist psychopath suddenly leap up and wave a weapon at the wrong moment could have made it a very bad day for everyone involved!
Fortunately, the guy was merely weird and not dangerous, so we were able to shiver in the frigid cold and enjoy the festivities in peace.
Anyway, that's my J.D. Salinger story.
I had read it many years ago as part of our assigned reading in high school, and while it certainly may have slightly reinforced my already developing sense of defiance (Hunter S. Thompson was a much greater influence) it didn't affect me anywhere near as much as some of the book's more obsessed fans.
Like Mark David Chapman, for instance.
Which is why, just one year ago, I took this photo of the guy sitting in front of me at President Obama's inauguration parade. For someone to wait in the freezing cold for hours while clutching a well-worn copy of the nonconformist novel kind of set off an alarm in my head.
So I watched the guy like a hawk when the president approached, partly because if he did anything threatening, I'd have a chance to be the hero by maybe tackling him and safely subduing him. Well, that's how it played out in my mind, anyway.
But mostly, because I knew if he drew a gun, I'm sure I (and CT Joyce, and everyone else standing within 20 feet of him) would have been instantly cut down by the withering cross-fire from the massive and well-armed military presence along the parade route and the numerous snipers atop the buildings. Those guys were determined not to fuck up and lose the President on the very first day!
I'm sure they were already jumpy enough because Obama decided to walk the entire parade route rather than ride in his armored limousine. And then to have some anarchist psychopath suddenly leap up and wave a weapon at the wrong moment could have made it a very bad day for everyone involved!
Fortunately, the guy was merely weird and not dangerous, so we were able to shiver in the frigid cold and enjoy the festivities in peace.
Anyway, that's my J.D. Salinger story.
From my birthday party last night
A few photos. Apparently I know how to have a good time. Don't I look happy?
Two Boots Pizza in Bridgeport is a great place. Visit them and have a slice of the "Mel Cooley" (sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers & basil pesto on a white pie) or one of their other excellent specialty pizzas.
Our friends in the "C-Dock Band" rocked the house, too! They stopped playing so that everyone who wanted to could hear the President's speech.
CT Joyce and "not that" Mike Brown raise their glasses of Stella Artois. I don't remember how many pitchers we consumed, but I'm feeling surprisingly good today so I guess I didn't overdo it.
It was a fun time, and I want to thank Joyce, Liz, Janel, Derek, Judy, Mike & Brita, Tim, John & Celeste, Mike & Tessa, and everyone else who helped make it a memorable night.
And Elisabeth, we're already missing you!
Two Boots Pizza in Bridgeport is a great place. Visit them and have a slice of the "Mel Cooley" (sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers & basil pesto on a white pie) or one of their other excellent specialty pizzas.
Our friends in the "C-Dock Band" rocked the house, too! They stopped playing so that everyone who wanted to could hear the President's speech.
CT Joyce and "not that" Mike Brown raise their glasses of Stella Artois. I don't remember how many pitchers we consumed, but I'm feeling surprisingly good today so I guess I didn't overdo it. It was a fun time, and I want to thank Joyce, Liz, Janel, Derek, Judy, Mike & Brita, Tim, John & Celeste, Mike & Tessa, and everyone else who helped make it a memorable night.
And Elisabeth, we're already missing you!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday: Lamont to speak at Milford DTC
Gubernatorial hopeful Ned Lamont will speak at the Milford Democratic Town Committee meeting The DTC meeting is open to the public, and in addition to Lamont, we'll host Health Care Advocate Kevin Lembo (candidate for Lt. Gov.) and State Rep. Cam Staples (candidate for AG). Each candidate will have 15-20 minutes to speak and answer questions.
The Milford DTC will meet at the Elk's Club, 124 New Haven Ave, Milford, CT, 06460. (Google Maps)
If possible, please remember to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to Milford Food Bank.
Hope to see you there!
51 *
* Is it just me, or has the passage of time actually accelerated since I was a youngster? Is our planet falling through a singularity, like on "Star Trek"? Can I blame the Romulans for this?(I just wanted to say "Romulans"...that movie kicked ass! And we saw it at the Imax!)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Shays considering a run again?
Chris Shays, former Congressman from CT-4, has made some veiled overtures that he might run again for office, according to an interview with Politico.
Apparently buoyed by Scott Brown's completely predictable upset of Martha Coakley in Massachusetts, pretty much every washed-up, out-of-office Republican is crawling out from under their respective rocks to declare their candidacy for something.
Shays, who recently sold his Connecticut waterfront home for something along the lines of an outrageous 33% over-market value price during the depths of the housing crisis (coincidentally selling it to a former Bush crony), has settled along the shores of Maryland in what he calls his "dream house".
Ever the political opportunist, Shays seemingly believes that his destiny is back here in the Nutmeg State. I get the feeling he'd bulldoze his "dream house" into the sea if he thought it would give him another shot at elected office.
He hasn't committed to which contest he'd enter. The Republican field for both the 4th Congressional District and the Senate race are crowded, as well as the gubernatorial race. The entry of Shays into any of these races will definitely add a new dimension to the already interesting mix.
As a blogger, I gotta say that it'll make my job easier.
Hmmm...I wonder how much he'll be willing to pay to get his old "dream house" back?
Brian Lockheart follows up on Shays' possibly running:
Apparently buoyed by Scott Brown's completely predictable upset of Martha Coakley in Massachusetts, pretty much every washed-up, out-of-office Republican is crawling out from under their respective rocks to declare their candidacy for something.
Shays, who recently sold his Connecticut waterfront home for something along the lines of an outrageous 33% over-market value price during the depths of the housing crisis (coincidentally selling it to a former Bush crony), has settled along the shores of Maryland in what he calls his "dream house".
Ever the political opportunist, Shays seemingly believes that his destiny is back here in the Nutmeg State. I get the feeling he'd bulldoze his "dream house" into the sea if he thought it would give him another shot at elected office.
He hasn't committed to which contest he'd enter. The Republican field for both the 4th Congressional District and the Senate race are crowded, as well as the gubernatorial race. The entry of Shays into any of these races will definitely add a new dimension to the already interesting mix.
As a blogger, I gotta say that it'll make my job easier.
Hmmm...I wonder how much he'll be willing to pay to get his old "dream house" back?
Brian Lockheart follows up on Shays' possibly running:
“The one thing I don’t like is when I hear politicians say ‘everybody’s asking me to run.’ So let’s get this straight. I don’t have ‘everybody’ asking me to run. I have some friends close to me politically who are very smart in terms of understanding politics and what’s going on. They say that nobody is catching on. That this is a huge opportunity for me to consider running for Governor,” Shays said. “I’m not getting a lot of calls from all around the state. (These are) calls from people I think are politically astute who tell me no one is catching on.”Here's just a little reminder from 2008, about the how important the facts are to Chris Shays before he casts a critically important vote:
But Shays said: “The answer may be it’s just not practical … It’s more likely in a few weeks I”ll have thought it through and said ‘you know what? I’m not sure this makes sense’.”
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tea Party convention "smells scammy"
Tea party activists are scheduled to gather in Nashville early next month for what is billed as the "National Tea Party Convention". However, controversy has steeped into the event, as many conservative observers are appalled at the extravagant cost to attend and the reported appearance fee of $100,000 for Sarah Palin. Critics say the people holding the event are profiteering off the passions of the supposed "grassroots" movement.
A ticket to the convention, including Ms. Palin's speech, will run you $549 (plus a $9.95 "fee") except that you can't get them because they're sold out. However, a $349 "banquet" ticket is still available, which will allow you in to hear Sarah's words of wisdom, after which you'll have to vacate the premises.
Think Progress has more:
“I think it is a great con of people making money off the passions of others,” RedState’s Erick Erickson told the Washington Independent recently. A Nashville-based tea party activist called Phillips’ Tea Party Nation “dishonest” and that it is “hijacking the tea party movement.” And Politico reported last week that three major sponsors have withdrawn support because of “the convention’s unusual finances.”I don't know what everyone is complaining about. Isn't this what a "free market economy" is all about? Who are you to deny some good Americans of a way to cash in on the hopes of others?
[..]
“When I’ve talked to our members, they’ve said this is entirely too expensive,” said Jenny Beth Martin, the national coordinator of Tea Party Patriots. It “smells scammy,” Erickson said, adding, “A $500+ per person fee to a for-profit organization run by people most people have never heard of is neither populist nor accessible for many tea party activists.”
Judging from the success of the ticket sales, I'd guess that the organizers are kicking themselves for not charging more for the tickets!
Hell, it's almost like they're giving money away!
And we all know what that's called...
"Socialism"!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
"The Rascal King"
This is one of my infrequent book reviews. I tend to review not just the book, but the entire phenomenon upon which the book is based. Here's a great example of my multimedia approach to reviews, which I may start doing more frequently if I find the time.
I also do "10-Second Movie Reviews" on my film blog, but that's fairly infrequent too.
CT Joyce & I have a habit of scouring second-hand bookstores and used book sales for bargains. We make it a point of pride to rarely pay more than $1 for a hard cover and 50 cents for a paperback.
Which is how I came across "The Rascal King", Jack Beatty's epic biography of James Michael Curley, the famous (and infamous) politician from Boston.
Curley was an American original; a son of immigrant parents, who rose to become four-time mayor of Boston, Governor of Massachusetts, and a four-term Congressman. During his political career, which roughly spanned the first half of the 20th century, Curley was at times the most corrupt official Massachusetts had ever known, and the most well-loved by his constituents.
Often these occurred at the same time.
Beatty's book explores Curley's life in great detail. He takes you from Curley's formative years, through his early political career, and ultimately beyond the time of his greatest notoriety. Twice convicted, Curley spent five months of his fourth mayoral term in Danbury Prison.
While it would have been fairly easy to portray Curley as a somewhat sympathetic figure because of many personal tragedies, Beatty doesn't let you forget that the man was corrupt to his very core. You can only feel sadness for this man, of whom it is widely said he could have been President, if he'd only been honest!
But he was also a man who lived a huge life, and he lived it on his own terms.
Curley was the inspiration for the protagonist Frank Skeffington in the novel "The Last Hurrah" by Edwin O'Connor. When asked his favorite part of the book, Curley responded "The part where I die."
Spencer Tracy played Frank Skeffington in the movie, which I just located and will watch shortly.
And about ten years ago, the song "The Rascal King" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (video below) introduced Curley's checkered legacy to a new generation.
"Well in the end they knew his name!"
Lyrics:
Well he was fueled by a lack
Drew inspiration from a need
So many problems to crack
And mouths to feed
Crooked was the path
And brazen was the walk
A cocky swagger, up the ladder
And could he ever talk
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
The love of God
And constant contradictions
With just a smile, wink or nod
What's stranger fact or fiction?
And never ceasing to amaze
On a regular basis
First hand into his pocket
Or first fist into the faces
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
A legendary character
When?
Only then
Where?
Only there
A hero or a hooligan?
Well, that part's never clear
Pride or shame, it's all the same
Who's innocent or who's to blame?
Politics or just a game?
Well in the end they knew his name
The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
I also do "10-Second Movie Reviews" on my film blog, but that's fairly infrequent too.
CT Joyce & I have a habit of scouring second-hand bookstores and used book sales for bargains. We make it a point of pride to rarely pay more than $1 for a hard cover and 50 cents for a paperback. Which is how I came across "The Rascal King", Jack Beatty's epic biography of James Michael Curley, the famous (and infamous) politician from Boston.
Curley was an American original; a son of immigrant parents, who rose to become four-time mayor of Boston, Governor of Massachusetts, and a four-term Congressman. During his political career, which roughly spanned the first half of the 20th century, Curley was at times the most corrupt official Massachusetts had ever known, and the most well-loved by his constituents.
Often these occurred at the same time.
Beatty's book explores Curley's life in great detail. He takes you from Curley's formative years, through his early political career, and ultimately beyond the time of his greatest notoriety. Twice convicted, Curley spent five months of his fourth mayoral term in Danbury Prison. While it would have been fairly easy to portray Curley as a somewhat sympathetic figure because of many personal tragedies, Beatty doesn't let you forget that the man was corrupt to his very core. You can only feel sadness for this man, of whom it is widely said he could have been President, if he'd only been honest!
But he was also a man who lived a huge life, and he lived it on his own terms.
Curley was the inspiration for the protagonist Frank Skeffington in the novel "The Last Hurrah" by Edwin O'Connor. When asked his favorite part of the book, Curley responded "The part where I die."
Spencer Tracy played Frank Skeffington in the movie, which I just located and will watch shortly.
And about ten years ago, the song "The Rascal King" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (video below) introduced Curley's checkered legacy to a new generation.
"Well in the end they knew his name!"
Lyrics:
Well he was fueled by a lack
Drew inspiration from a need
So many problems to crack
And mouths to feed
Crooked was the path
And brazen was the walk
A cocky swagger, up the ladder
And could he ever talk
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
The love of God
And constant contradictions
With just a smile, wink or nod
What's stranger fact or fiction?
And never ceasing to amaze
On a regular basis
First hand into his pocket
Or first fist into the faces
The last hurrah?
Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
A legendary character
When?
Only then
Where?
Only there
A hero or a hooligan?
Well, that part's never clear
Pride or shame, it's all the same
Who's innocent or who's to blame?
Politics or just a game?
Well in the end they knew his name
The last hurrah? Nah! I'd do it again
The Rascal King behind the bars
Or the one in front of them
Friday, January 22, 2010
Blog For Choice Day
Tessa Marquis over at My Left Nutmeg wrote an article about this important issue. In many fundamentalist societies, the rights of women are often the first to be eliminated.As our country seems to be swinging toward the ultra-conservative fringe, we need to protect the rights of women to safe and legal choice. The 2010 election will not only be a referendum on health care policy, but it will also be an opportunity for right-wing religious zealots to grab control of Congress and pass draconian laws suppressing the rights of women.
Take a moment to read the article, and then do something!
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