Those of us in the medical field know that without the right diagnosis, you can't cure the real problem.
Right now, New Jersey is facing trying economic times. Our deficits are running high and most of our citizens feel overtaxed. Governor Christie was elected on this wave of economic anxiety. But this doesn't mean reducing or eliminating vital services and the people who provide those services is the right fix. In fact, it's the wrong fix for our communities and for our economy.
Please join me in calling our Senators to urge them to repeal the military's so called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that discriminates against gays and lesbians who want to serve their country in the US Military.
I'll spare you the reasons why discrimination sucks and simply remind you that this issue demands your urgent attention.
Lautenberg's contant info is (202)-224-3224
Menendez is at (202)-224-4744.
Timing is everything in Washington and now is the time to light a fire under our Senators to vote AND to fight to repeal this retrograde policy.
As someone raised in New Jersey Bill Mahr was obviously influenced by our "politics".
The commentary below is clearly directed at the national situation......but, I dare say it applies mightily right here in our little state......especially if you look at our congressional delegation, legislature, governor and pretty much all of our elected county and local officials. They are bought and paid for by the folks with the cash....and it's pretty much, perfectly legal!
I say the Democratic party needs to be taken over by he actual PEOPLE......and let the Republicans have the votes and the money from the corporations!
The purpose of human life surely can't be to simply do what's good for corporations, can it? They are a legal formality designed to serve the common good. What we have now is a system of toxic malignancies destroying democracy and raping the body politic.
I wanted you to be the first to know that today we're launching my new website -www.BarbaraBuono.com- which will serve as a hub for information, communications and constituent relations. I hope this site will not only be useful for the residents of my own district, but for everyone all across New Jersey.
Often, everyone focuses so much on campaigns and process stories that sometimes people overlook that government provides important services and programs unavailable anywhere else. So, one particular part of my new website I'm especially excited to unveil is its "Resources" section - which will serve as a one-stop portal for a number of issues facing our state's residents. I hope this will serve as a useful tool in answering questions and solving problems. If you think anything can be added that would be helpful to fellow New Jerseyans, I hope you'll let me know.
In addition to the Resources section, I'm also excited about how we're recapping some of the places I get to visit across the 18th District and the state. When you click on "In the Community", you can join me as I meet so many people and groups, all with interesting stories to share. Also, please be sure to visit the Newsroom for all the latest news, clips, blogs and press releases from my office.
Transparency, accountability and efficient government are all principles I've championed during my time in the state legislature. I know everyone here at Blue Jersey shares my belief that we need to shine a light on the day-to-day business of state government. As Senate Majority Leader I promise to continue pushing for reforms to clean up the way business gets done in Trenton.
I'm excited about our new website. But, I'm just as excited about how advances in technology are revolutionizing the way people communicate. I've been on Facebook for a bit and I recently starting tweeting. I hope you'll follow me on both social networking sites, so I can keep you in the loop with the latest happenings in Trenton, in my legislative office and at events across the state, as well as with articles and blogs I think might be of interest.
Right now, we have a unique opportunity to push for meaningful reform in the 214th Legislature. For far too long, state government has come up short in its mission and responsibility of making New Jersey the best state in the nation to live, grow and prosper. There are several areas which have been ignored to-date and which we need to focus on right away - including pension reform, a strong State Comptroller with full audit powers over every tax dollar being spent, and finally addressing New Jersey's out-of-control property taxes. We simply cannot continue to turn a blind eye and put these issues off any longer. I plan on working with Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Oliver and Governor Christie (along with every single legislator and cabinet member) in tackling these issues head-on.
I hope you will explore my new website as we move forward in the new legislative session. It is vital that everyone in the progressive community - and on Blue Jersey in particular - remains active in helping us move our state forward. I hope this website opens new lines of communication and dialogue. And I hope you'll sign up to join our efforts in improving Trenton and making life better for each and every New Jerseyan.
Earlier this month I was honored to be sworn in as the New Jersey State Senate's first female Majority Leader. Along with our new Speaker Sheila Oliver, two of the four leadership positions in our State Legislature are held by women. It is a truly historic moment for our State and I am confident that we can both provide unique viewpoints to make our government more effective. I can promise you I will be fighting every day in my capacity as Majority Leader to make our State government is more transparent and accountable, while making New Jersey a more affordable place to live. I hope you will enjoy the speech I gave at the reorganization on January 12th as we move forward in the new year and decade.
Below is an alphabetical list of NJ pols who voted YES on medical marijuana. If you know -- or are rep'd by -- anyone on this list, take note. Hopefully you'll get a chance to thank them one day.
From the Senate (Republicans in bold):
Senate:
Baroni,
Bateman,
Beach,
Buono,
Ciesla,
Cunningham,
Gill,
Girgenti,
Gordon,
Kean,
Lesniak,
Pennacchio,
Ruiz,
Sacco,
Sarlo,
Scutari,
Singer,
Smith,
Stack,
Sweeney,
Turner,
Van Drew,
Vitale,
Weinberg, and
Whelan
Thank God the Camden County Democrats can still hand out fat contracts because they sure aren't doing anything policy-wise. Read as they tie themselves in knots over what to do with a new prison no one wants.
Beach Slapped.
A reader has some harsh words for Senator Jim Beach's abstention on marriage equality in today's Courier Post. Whoever wrote that editorial sure was pissed!
Fr. Michael Doyle is the Camden priest recently profiled in a documentary called the Poet of Poverty. The movie was screened last night in Cherry Hill and I cried and laughed and cried and laughed some more. Here's the trailer. And yes, that's Martin Sheen doing narration.
When the NJ Senate and Assembly overwhelmingly passed a medical marijuana bill yesterday it put the Garden State in line to be the 14th state in the union to decriminalize cannabis for sick people.
Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll has the QOTD in this one for sure.
I've posted so many videos on this site and elsewhere I can't hardly remember them all, but this issue is possibly the most satisfying day I've has as an activist since the Obama/Alder double victory.
So take a minute to meet the heros of this battle.
Thank you mconvente. Yes, you're right; far more than only gay people are disappointed in the NJ Senate. You say it well. - promoted by Rosi
Today's New Jersey State Senate vote against a bill that would legalize gay marriage is quite a hit to the cause of equality, the progressive community, and to me personally. To me, it is unconscionable that a legislative body could refuse their sworn oath to ensure that our laws uphold the Constitution, but that is exactly what happened this afternoon in the Senate chambers in Trenton.
While watching an online live stream of the debate, I was struck by the words of one particular Senator. Her name is Teresa Ruiz, and she represents District 29, which includes the very diverse city of Newark. Senator Ruiz is the first Latina state Senator in New Jersey's history, and her upraising clearly shined through with her words today.
While making her speech in favor of gay marriage, Senator Ruiz recalled her personal experience with being deemed "the other", concluding by stating she doesn't ever want to take a vote that says, "it's okay for me, but not for you."
Today is the day that the NJ Senate finally votes on marriage equality. This is hardly a news flash for regular readers of this blog, but it's still feels kinda surreal that it's finally show time.
If anyone reading has pics, video or updates to add, please feel free to share here. If you're on site in Trenton, grab a snack cuz it's gonna be a long day....... I estimate the marriage vote to go down sometime around 5:30pm.
From the diaries. Although the timeline has changed, James has the right idea here. And, with the Assembly now due to consider the marriage issue next, there is a real opportunity for a potential candidate for Democratic State Chair to show real leadership. Just sayin' - JG
Dear Assemblyman Wisniewski:
My name is James Machado and I have been a resident of Woodbridge since 2006 when I moved here with my wife and we started our family with our now 2 year old twins. We are expecting our third child in March 2010.
I contact you at a critical time in the lives and the liberty of thousands of New Jerseyans. This Thursday, S1967 will come to a vote before the entire NJ State Senate. If it passes, it will be up to you, Assemblyman Vas and your colleagues to be on the right side of history.
I don't know you personally, sir, and I don't know your position on this issue. I would say, however, that regardless of your personal conviction or religious beliefs, that the Liberty and Prosperity of thousands of our fellow citizens lie in the balance.
It is the responsibility of our legislature to do the people's work. Part of that work is to secure and hold equal protection under the law and equal treatment by the civil authority. The existing civil union law does neither of these things. Instead, de facto discrimination is being perpetrated against many LGBT people who engaged in civil unions in good faith and the hope that their day of equality had come in New Jersey. They were wrong. And, they were wronged.
Please, sir, stand up for Liberty. Stand up for equality. Stand up for the weaker voices in our state. And, I will stand with you.
Warmest Regards,
James Edward Machado
Woodbridge, NJ
By now, you've heard that the full Senate hearing on marriage equality was shifted to a later date during lame duck session, so that the Assembly has the opportunity to consider Monday'shistoric testimony. It occurs to me that many of the arguments below - written Tuesday - must have been repeated today as again the halls were flooded with people advocating equality. - promoted by Rosi
See attached a summary of my thoughts on marriage equality in response to a handful of questions from a family member who opposed marriage equality. I was told that by others that they found it very useful to read and form a unified front on this very important issue.
Please comment below if you feel I've missed the mark or should amend. Thank you in advance.
Jay Lassiter planned all along to go down to the statehouse yesterday and blog for us. But then, something happened in his hometown, that made him stay there, to capture for you today what the people of Cherry Hill did when the fools came to town. Great job, Jay - promoted by Rosi
Today the NJ Senate Judiciary voted on gay marriage equality. And what a long strange trip it's been clearing the first hurdle.
Let's face it, this is a civil rights issue.....and just like the struggles for de jure (we're still working on de facto) equality in the 50's and 60's, on the racial front, the chief/underlying motivation for the opposition to marriage equality is bigotry. Plain and simple.
People back then also used quasi-religious rationales....but it always boils down to an irrational fear and loathing of "the other" i.e. bigotry.
Even the elected officials who may not themselves be bigots, but will still vote against equality under the law, are voting that way because they are afraid of losing the votes of bigots.
Yesterday's NY vote made it very clear as only ONE of the no votes had the guts to speak out on the floor (and that was a "Reverend")....all the rest voted in silent shame.
Bigots have to be named and shamed.....I DO NOT believe that the majority of my fellow New Jerseyans are bigots......that's why this issue is an eventual winner both morally and politically.
As an older straight person I know just how much attitudes have changed in this state over the last 45 years, it's dramatic.....if marriage equality is not passed in this session it needs to become a major plank in the state Democratic party platform (which we need to develop) and it needs to be one of the chief VOTING issues upon which progressive primary challengers seek to unseat incumbents who are stuck in the toxic "mud" of the status quo.....and that toxicity includes way more than the tendency to appeal to the bigot vote on this one issue......but it's all related.
The same type of person who is afraid to offend bigots is also more likely to want to keep the pay to play machine politics as is. It's all connected, and it's a matter of values. New Jersey voters really are eager to throw the BUMS out......we progressives just have to have the guts to run for office and to call out the bums and to keep a bright spotlight on them.
Marriage equality needs to come to a vote, if only to publicly "out" those who would dare to vote on the side of ignorance, fear, intolerance and, yes, bigotry
Hell yes, it's on. And if any of you Blue Jersey readers are down there advocating for parity in our marriage laws, by all means chime in with your own comments, pictures or a diary of your own. - - Promoted from the diaries by Rosi
Update 12:01pm 300 pro-equality lobbyists - gay and straight - showed up on our side, with people still coming. Fewer than 75 people showed up to tell your state legislators to keep marriage only for us straight folks. 300 is 4 times 75, babies. Fierce turnout!
Update! 11:44am Our press conference begins at noon. Video to follow.
Update! 11:08am. Senator Cardinale just arrived. He's at his irrepressible best which means all is well with the world. One thing I've noticed about our opponents is their thinking is a generation behond for a good reason: They tend to be older. I'm thirty-seven and I'm an elder statesman on my side. On their team, I'd be the youngest buck.
Update! 10:20 am and the pro-equality crowd is so massive that we're still filing through security. In fact the progressive coalition's now filled yet another committee room to capacity. The pro-marriage crowd looks young and vital while the haters have a look that says "time is NOT on our side."
It's 9:20 am and it's officially on. If juicy lame duck is you're thing, the State house is the place for you.
The Senate Judiciary hearing room is packed to max with marriage equality friend and foe.
But little do they know, we have reinforcements. See below.
If you can't make it personally, maybe you can make some phone calls. You guys know the drill: Sweeney and Sarlo need to hear from you. Every day.
There's been a lot of buzz about the progressive coalition headed to Trenton Monday to lobby towards Marriage Equality. (details below, hat tip Alison Pelzman)
I'll be there. Lots of my friends and allies will be there too. Will you? Consider this a pre-lobby day open thread.
Rally with the Garden State Equality/BlueJerseyACLU-NJ/DFA in Trenton Monday, November 23.
We're meeting at:
Garden State Equality's New Jersey Office
110 W. State Street, Trenton
Monday, November 23, 2009
8:30 a.m.
If there's a day to take off work for a cause, it's Monday. Your day off could mean a lifetime of equality for families in New Jersey.
If you live in another state, just promise to help us raise hell, deal? If we win, we'll celebrate at the Atlantic City boardwalk. If we lose, we'll go to the casinos and take bets on what we'll see first: civil rights for New Jersey's gay families or a lesbian Miss America.
