News Roundup & Open Thread for Thursday, March 18, 2010

GSE Builds a Formidable Team (4.00 / 2)

GSE and Lambda will have as co-counsel Larry Lustberg who in addition to being one of the state's top criminal defense attorneys in high profile cases has also made his mark in constitutional and public interest law.  A graduate of Harvard Law he started out as a federal public defender in Newark. He joined Gibbobs PC in 1990 and built its fellowship pro bono department with cases in such varied areas as the death penalty and HIV.  

Lustberg more recently was lawyer for Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster, the couple who filed a complaint with New Jersey's Division of Civil Rights, alleging the Ocean Grove Methodists unlawfully discriminated against them based on sexual orientation by denying them use of the Pavillion for their ceremony. Lustberg successfully argued that the Pavillion is open to everyone and that the group could no more refuse to accommodate lesbians than a restaurant owner could refuse to serve a Black person.

Lustberg has developed a reputation as one who can write a strong brief, think strategically, and argue well on his feet.  Along with Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal director for Lambda Legal, GSE has a formidable team to lead its case.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

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by: Bill Orr @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 13:11:13 PM UTC

Democrats (0.00 / 0)

If Democrats roll over for Christie for fear of being called "obtructionists," they'll deserve to lose.  See how much being obstructionists have hurt the Republicans in Washington.  Of course, it helps when they have someone like Obama who refuses to play hardball.  Christie will try to, but if they play their cards right, particularly the cuts in education, they can force Christie to back off to some degree.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 13:11:45 PM UTC

The path is clear (0.00 / 0)

The path is clear then. If the Democrats are uncomfortable with any cuts all they have to do is propose a new tax to pay for the spending or cut other existing spending.

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by: HobokenSchmo @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 16:58:32 PM UTC

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Help Arriving Haitians (0.00 / 0)

The NJ Department of Health has a Haiti Earthquake Resources page which is a starting point for families, health care workers, social workers and others concerned  about helping Haitians arriving in NJ.  Acting Commissioner Dr. Alaigh, who awaits approval from the full Senate, needs to provide more leadership and funds to assist these Haitians.  

People who wish to donate can consider the Red Cross as a possible recipient. You can also seek out NJ-based social service groups already serving Haitians. Be aware that crises breed internet scams, so check out other sites for the accuracy of their claims.

The situation in Haiti remains grim.  Hopefully those Haitians, including many with dual citizenship, who come to NJ will find a warm welcome and the temporary assistance they need.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

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by: Bill Orr @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 13:58:41 PM UTC

Thanks Bill. (0.00 / 0)

This video was on the Tri-County Red Cross site, and they've helped out quite a few families already. If you'd like to donate there, here's that link.

I also love how clearly they set up their Volunteer page listing very specific things you can help them do.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 17:48:36 PM UTC

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