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Liars! How The Tikun Olam Charter School Got A $600,000 Federal Grant

by: Chris Rodda

Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 02:38:06 PM EST

An infuriating and amazing story. Superb reporting by Chris Rodda, Senior Research Director for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), and author of Liars For Jesus: The Religious Right's Alternate Version of American History.
Promoted by Rosi, with thanks to Chris.

Cross-posted from The Public Record.

Question: How does a charter school whose multiple applications have been riddled with lies and misrepresentations and has been rejected three times by a state education department get approved for a $600,000 grant from the federal government?
Answer: The federal government admittedly does not routinely fact-check grant applications for charter schools, and does not allow the private consultants it hires to look at the grant applications to look at any information other than what's in the grant application.

That's right, an applicant for a federal grant for a charter school can say whatever they want to in their application, true or false, and nothing they say will be questioned, even if their application has already been exposed as a work of fiction.

This is what's going on right now with the proposed Tikun Olam Hebrew Language Charter High School, and the epicenter of the fight to stop this school from being approved or getting any federal grant money is my own little town, Highland Park, NJ.

There's More... :: (9 Comments, 2335 words in story)
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Render Unto Caesar...

by: Jersey Jazzman

Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 10:11:00 AM EST

Cross-posted from Jersey Jazzman.

Let's go back to Amir Khan for a minute or two:

Pastor Khan - anti-marriage equity crusader and promoter of school voucher legislation to his congregation (is that allowed by the IRS?) - was granted a charter for a school this past fall by the Christie administration (notice how the press release from the state has "Christie Administration" in the headline, and not "NJ Department of Education"). His application was promoted by the influential Black Ministers Council of New Jersey; but his wasn't the only one:

There's More... :: (1 Comments, 821 words in story)

PolitickerNJ: Connie Wagner not running vs. Garrett

by: Adam L

Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 11:11:32 AM EST

According to a report in PolitckerNJ, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner has decided not to run against Scott Garrett for Congress here in the 5th District.

While I would have loved to have seen Wagner run for a number of reasons, it seemed to me (just my gut feeling from some discussions and observations I had) that others were more enthusiastic about her running than she may have been.  This is no knock against her - it is a huge undertaking and commitment to run for Congress, and Garrett has been known to play dirty against his opponents (recall he smeared former opponent and Rabbi Dennis Shulman as anti-Israel).

This creates a void in terms of big name NJ politicos who can raise the attention and money required to mount a successful run against a very well-funded Garrett.  Whether this was in the works for a while, whether this clears the way for former NY Giant Harry Carson to make a run (which has a lot of appeal as well as some potential hurdles), or whether it opens the door for a primary fight among a number of already-declared other candidates remains to be seen.

Either way, this decision by Assemblywoman Wagner to not run (if confirmed) is too bad as it would have brought a different and more high profile seasoned politician to challenge Garrett with more built in and coordinated support from the Democratic Committee of Bergen County.  Hopefully, whoever emerges as the challenger will receive coordinated support that will be needed up and down the ballot - especially with the Presidential and Senatorial races this coming year.  It is a big opportunity for Democrats in Bergen County and hopefully it isn't a missed opportunity.

Discuss :: (3 Comments)

Cory Booker Talks 'Second-Class Citizenship' to Gov. Christie

by: Rosi Efthim

Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 09:12:00 AM EST

Responding to the apparent fact that the NJ Legislature may be finally getting its head together in treating gay couples in love with respect and recognizing their right to marry, Gov. Christie tried a headline-grabbing, but morally bankrupt dodge: He proposed a referendum, political cover for his obedient, spineless GOP legislative Muppets.

But the next day, Christie went further, and in doing so exposed both an ignorance of history, or given his intelligence, more likely a cunning attempt to twist it. He said this:

People would have been happy to have a referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South.
                         - Gov. Chris Christie, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012

Cheryl Contee said it well: (Christie's assertion is) if Southern whites in the 1940s, 50s and 60s had just been given enough time, they would have totally been down for equality with their black neighbors. They would have even voted for it themselves!

But yesterday, closer to home, Cory Booker set the Governor straight, and it's a thing of beauty:

Can't view video at work? Transcript after jump.

There's More... :: (0 Comments, 273 words in story)

TGIF News Roundup & Open Thread for Jan. 27, 2012

by: Rosi Efthim

Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 06:58:00 AM EST

Christie 'Town Hall'

  • Christie doesn't grant a requested 5-min talk with Vineland's mayor but discusses his topic, Vineland Developmental Center. Plus folksy lessons from his mom, OSA (he's for), and nuclear power (for).
  • Tells what led him to believe rehab trumps jail.
  • Talks tax reform, sheds little light on Vineland Developmental Center.

    Marriage Equality

  • Christie's Ridiculous Revisionist History of the Civil Rights Movement. (Cheryl Contee, Jack & Jill Politics)
  • Christie doesn't like Ike. A history lesson.
  • Christie links civil rights to gay marriage vote, draws sharp criticism.

  • Christie tries a political dodge. (Ledger editorial)
  • Christie punts on ME, takes the wind out of Steven Goldstein, and gives political cover to his Muppets, the GOP legislators. (Al Doblin)

  • Cuomo mum on Christie call for referendum: State with marriage equality, backs off its call for "all states" to join NY.

    Palin, Gingrich, Christie:

  • Three-way bully fight! (The Nation)

    Chamber trip: Christie dominates with pro-biz speech

  • Rips into Dem lawmakers.
  • Dems in the NJ congressional delegation clear the area as Christie preens.

    Chamber trip: Menendez 2012 Kyrillos 2012

  • Byrne tells Menendez skipping dinner's a mistake.
  • Kyrillos has new role on Chamber train.

    The Real State of the State:

  • How Christie's left NJ cities behind (Rob Duffey, Better Choices for NJ Campaign)

    Pocket-vetoed the first time

  • Sen. Joe Vitale, chair of the Senate health committee, is moving swiftly on a bill that would require all operating rooms to be licensed and inspected by the state Dept. of Health.

    Sen. Sandra Cunningham wants hearings on university plan

  • University overhaul includes prize for kingpin & Christie ally George Norcross.
  • Chair of the Senate Higher Ed Committee wants a fuller examination of Christie's plan to reorganize NJ institutions.

    More Blue Jersey video from Marriage Equality hearing

  • A minyan of rabbis.
  • Lawyers on Marriage Equality.

    Jerseynomics

  • Toll cheats on SGP down since cameras.
  • State pension funds continue to struggle.
  • Discuss :: (4 Comments)

    A Minyan of Rabbis

    by: deciminyan

    Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 10:50:14 AM EST

    promoted by Rosi

    There were dozens of clergypersons at Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Hearings on marriage equality, representing many faiths and both sides of the issue. One of the largest contingents was a group of Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative rabbis from around the state, speaking in favor of marriage equality. Garden State Equality's Steven Goldstein referred to them as "a minyan of rabbis."



    Discuss :: (2 Comments)

    Yo Christie! Don't be like Corzine!

    by: Jay Lassiter

    Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 10:00:53 AM EST

    In August of 2008, Multiple Sclerosis patient John Ray Wilson of Franklin Township, NJ, was arrested for growing medical cannabis in his backyard. According to news reports, Mr. Wilson was:
    "charged with 'manufacturing' 17 marijuana plants that he used to treat his Multiple Sclerosis. Wilson faced 20 years in state prison for this crime. At trial, Superior Court Judge Robert Reed would not let the jury hear the reason that Wilson grew the marijuana plants, essentially removing Wilson's only defense."
    Four years after his arrest (and two years after NJ's medical marijuana law was signed) John Ray Wilson -- currently out on appeal -- was ordered to return to prison TOMORROW to serve out his 5 year term.

    Senator Raymond Lesniak, who was a chief proponent of New Jersey's medical marijuana law, had this appeal to Gov. Chris Christie:

    "I am disappointed by the recent decision of the Supreme Court to deny the appeal of John Ray Wilson. He was merely trying to alleviate the symptoms of a dreadfully painful and regressive disease. It is unconscionable that this Friday he will be behind bars. Three years ago, I called on Gov. Corzine to commute the sentence of Mr. Wilson. After inaction with the last governor, I was hopeful Gov. Christie would better understand the unfair reality of this situation. Unfortunately, Gov. Christie has been just like Corzine, refusing to use his and only his power to make things right when the true intentions of the law were misapplied. (Ironically) before John Ray Wilson completes his prison sentence, the State of NJ will have its medical marijuana program up and running, and Mr. Wilson may likely be using medical marijuana behind bars or the prescription pain killers he couldn't afford, paid for by the state's taxpayers. Governor Christie should commute his sentence immediately."
    More reaction below.
    There's More... :: (1 Comments, 57 words in story)

    Mass Hysteria

    by: carolh

    Wed Jan 25, 2012 at 03:06:13 PM EST

    Wow, Tenafly sounds mean. Promoted by Rosi

    Salem had their witches, Tenafly has its Light Rail.  

    In this age where there is near universal agreement that mass transit is an environmental goal, many of their neighbors in surrounding towns are asking themselves the very same question -  How did an environmentally friendly town in love with its lush trees and nature center suddenly and collectively freak out about the return of passenger rail service? Service that would once again serve the lovely town with the beautiful architecturally renowned train station at its very quaint heart?  A service that would take cars OFF the road?  Good question.

    There's More... :: (6 Comments, 907 words in story)

    The Real State of the State, Part 1: How Chris Christie has left NJ's cities behind

    by: Rob Duffey

    Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 04:11:48 PM EST

    A good post that I didn't want us to lose amid all the marriage equality coverage that came the same day. Rob is Policy & Communications Coordinator of New Jersey Working Families Alliance, a member of Better Choices for New Jersey Campaign.- Promoted by Rosi

    In a month Governor Christie is going to deliver his third budget address. Much of it will be the same sort of hype we heard last week during the State of the State: lots of talk about a New Jersey comeback, promises of income tax cuts and continued cuts to critical services.

    The run-up to the speech is a good opportunity take a step back and look at how New Jersey has fared under the last two years of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations and budget cuts for everyone else. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting weekly diaries about how two years of Governor Christie's policies have compromised the quality of life for millions of working families and jeopardized our long term economic growth.

    During last week's speech Chris Christie made a pledge to help residents of Newark and other high-crime areas. But the truth is that Governor Christie's ongoing neglect of New Jersey's cities may have contributed to rising crime in New Jersey's urban centers.  

    There's More... :: (0 Comments, 355 words in story)

    News Roundup & Open Thread for Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012

    by: Rosi Efthim

    Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 07:29:00 AM EST

    Incredibly, Chris Christie said this: "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 says like same-sex marriage, civil rights movement could have been settled through ballot referendum.
  • Sheila Oliver apoplectic over Christie's civil rights referendum comments.

    More reaction to Christie's idea to put marriage on referendum

  • Demagoguery in New Jersey: Democrats said (Christie) was punting. There's an understatement. Mr. Christie knows perfectly well that ballot initiatives are a terrible way to handle government. They are easily manipulated and generally attract a low turnout. (Rosenthal, New York Times)

  • "Whatever its tactical brilliance, Christie's move ignores that unlike in centuries past, we no longer force certain citizens to endure a de facto popularity contest." (Kevin Riordan)

  • Black leaders criticize plan to put gay-marriage to a vote.

  • Seton Hall University's Setonian agrees: no referendum.

  • NJEA does the right thing on ME.

    $1.5 million ad buy by pro-Christie non-disclosure group

  • The Committee for Our Children's Future (CCF).
  • Christie's "independent" superPAC returns.
  • Some things you should know about them.

    TODAY - Chris Christie "Town Hall" in Vineland

  • Once again, short notice & daytime inconvenience (except for GOP loyalists who traditionally get heads-up): Here's when & where.
  • Expect Christie to talk about this today: his plan to restructure NJ's university system.

    He disparages the train ride

  • But he doesn't mind being the only speaker: Christie and the Chamber of Commerce "schmooze cruise" train to D.C. - tonight.

    Additional Assorted Christie

  • Vineland Daily Journal compliments, then slams, Christie in advance of "Town Hall".

  • Even Blustering New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Thinks Newt Gingrich has "Embarrassed" the GOP. (AlterNet)

  • Sorry, Chris Christie: Obama's no coward on Simpson-Bowles (Tom Moran)

    As Expected

  • BettyLou DeCroce wins her husband's seat, defeating 2 others.

    Jerseynomics

  • Christie's tax cut: Selling our souls for $58.

  • Christie can't shake NJ's last-place ranking for business climate.

  • Audit shows some NJ families in subsidized day care don't actually qualify.

    Pascrell will not cease to be a thorn in Rothman's side, as BCDC celebrates

  • Pascrell, showing up everywhere Rothman is.
  • No subtlety in Pascrell's new site. (Herb Jackson)

    When's your town's school election going to be?

  • More than 60 districts so far have shifted to November.

    Did you miss the Senate Judiciary Marriage Equality hearing?

  • Here's some of the key testimony.
  • Discuss :: (9 Comments)
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