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.
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.
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.
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:
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."
"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."
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."
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.
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.
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."
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)
