While OWS was demonstrating throughout lower Manhattan yesterday, with over 200 participants arrested, the Mid-Jersey Move-on Council joined the Nationwide Day of Action for Jobs and Economic Justice in sponsoring a peaceful rally on the steps of the State House. One of the eight speakers, Occupy Trenton's Alex Higgins, said "We need to spread awareness of why OT is here." He urged the rainy day audience of about 150 people to support OT and join its cause. This event marked a "coming out" for OT participants - the first time they worked together with other local groups in organizing a substantial event.
The theme of "Jobs Not Cuts" ran through the message of the other labor union and anti-war speakers. Carol Gay, President, NJ State Industrial Union Council, said, "More cuts won't help; we need more jobs programs. There has to be an end to attacking the social safety net. We need to reinstate the millionaires' tax. The occupy movement is shining a light on greed and inequality." Rev Robert Moore, Executive Director, Coalition for Peace Action, had as his theme,"Jobs not war."
Occupy Trenton participants have steadfastly maintained a policy of not aligning themselves with only one specific political group. Nonetheless, there is a growing realization that to increase their supporters and to achieve goals envisioned in their message they must participate with others and organize events that capture public attention. After the speeches Alex Higgins pointed out that while other occupy sites have members with experience in direct action activities, OT does not. They need people with this expertise as well other talents to sustain and grow their embryonic movement.
Now with two venues - at the WWII Memorial and a nearby Tent City - the logistics for 24/7 operation require more on-site volunteers and people who can participate regularly in their workgroups and GA and not only plan projects but carry out the specific tasks. Individuals are wearing too many hats, with Edward maintaining the "face" of OT at the Memorial, Maureen stepping up the publicity, Sam planning the Tent City community, and Alex interacting with other organizations. Their involvement yesterday with local progressives was another step in their process of maturation. The need for jobs and economic justice today cannot be clearer.
While Occupy Trenton's efforts in our state are ongoing, another occupy venue in NJ is just beginning.You can join today's debut of Occupy Newark and read about the event here or on facebook. You can also learn more about Occupy Trenton at their website.
The TT is issuing a correction on pg 2 tomorrow, and possibly a pic. The initial diary was correct, that there was no pic (mmarino would explain except for password problems). In any case, we're holding our breath to see if there will be a pic tomorrow...
With only days before the election, 4th District Congressional candidate Carol Gay has received several endorsements from local women's groups.
The pro-choice Democrat, who is running for her first elected office, has been endorsed by the National Organization for Women, NARAL Pro Choice America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
In endorsing Gay, Planned Parenthood lauded her support of women's rights and her advocacy of affordable reproductive health care. The group also took a political shot at Gay's opponent, incumbent Chris Smith, a Republican from Hamilton, who is a staunchly pro-life candidate.
The group criticized Smith for his positions on family planning and birth control, as well as for his pro-life stance.
The groups aren't local, they are national, and what exactly was the political shot?
Incompetence, arrogance, and a lack of accountability are trademarks of the Bush administration and its backers in Congress. That is why we are parting company with men we have supported before for Congress. They have become lapdogs when we need watchdogs in Washington.
On Menendez/Kean
Menendez knows what it is to be poor. He is the product of Cuban parents who settled in New Jersey. Their son has lived the American dream. When his mettle was tested, he raised his right hand and testified against his political mentor in a corruption trial. That takes guts. That takes a man.
Menendez opposed Bush's catastrophic decision to invade Iraq.
He has been a fighter for working people, middle-class Americans and those who wish they were.
His opponent was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, has been given every advantage, including appointments to the state Assembly and Senate. He has run a despicable campaign of personal destruction.
According to a reader who subscribes to the Trenton Times and gets advance sections of the Sunday paper, tomorrow's 4th CD Voter Guide, courtesy of Darryl Isherwood, who I didn't think was bad, has Carol Gay's name wrong! He calls her Linda Gay. If it weren't so crucial, I'd almost want to forgive him the mistake, after all the focus on only one congressional race, and how difficult it is to imagine a woman in Congress, a Democrat from NJ (you'd have to think back to 1981), you know, give a guy a break. If they don't correct the guide by tomorrow, it's going to read:
In the 4th Congressional District, two candidates are facing off for the two-year-term. Incumbent Republican Chris Smith is vying for his 14th term in Congress, while Democratic challenger Linda Gay seeks her first elected office.
Chris is courageous. Linda, aka Carol, doesn't know how to pay for universal healthcare. Pic of Smith, none of Carol. Get the full story tomorrow, if they aren't shamed into correcting it, at least on line.
Trenton Times readers and New Jerseyians need to demand better!
Will someone please explain to me how Smith is getting points for how he:
worked hard to get new sensing equipment installed in the Trenton Regional Post Office in Hamilton, after that facility was contaminated by letters containing deadly anthrax in 2001. Trenton Times
For all you Lakoff 'framing' fans - the anthrax deaths were a failure of the government. They never solved the crime. The post office was closed for three years. The postal workers in DC were ignored for the capitol hill staffers! Give me a break.
And how about reframing:
Mr. Smith at times has been at loggerheads with the leadership of his own party, a political battle that cost him a committee chairmanship
Smith was at 'loggerheads' with DeLay who came in two terms, 4 years after him, and Smith is lauded for failing to get veterans their funding! It shows that Smith's skills as a politician are lacking. And what did he do since then for veterans? He towed the line, voted for the war, sent the military to Iraq without proper armor and has not succeeded in getting the VA fully funded.
But the press is happy to allow these guys to rest on their laurels. Smith, with the nationally recognized worst GOP website (out of what, over 250?), is so shameless as to print in this summer's constituent newsletter his 2004 photo with Megan's (of Megan's Law) family.
Dust off the dinosaurs. Check what your guy has done in the last TWO years!! If you come up with only, strip women of their right to family planning, escort Terri Schiavo's brother onto the House floor in a move designed to allow the most radical intrusion of the federal govt into people's lives - and a little moderation with the human trafficking stuff, reflect for a moment. Carol Gay would oppose human trafficking too, and represent the district far better. No she doesn't have 26 years in office, but NJ has to get over the idea that status quo is the be all and end all.
The problem in selecting the most ridiculous, poorly crafted, or just plain bizarre political Web sites is an embarrassment of riches: There are so many worthy contenders. But whatever the criteria, the Web site of Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who's running for re-election, would qualify. Anyone thinking of putting up a Web site that's devoid of actual content should skip the project instead on grounds of sheer embarrassment. (We took the accompanying screen snapshot last week. This week, the Web site has changed to become even less useful.)
I wanted to share a couple of photos from yesterday's anticipate-the-verdict rally in Trenton. The top pic is of the Silverman family (click to enlarge.) Take one look at them and ask yourself is this not the most beautiful family you've ever seen. On a serious (and personal) level seeing my gay brothers and sisters and their children warms my heart in ways that are difficult to describe. I mean, for the first time in my thirty-four years I feel like it's okay to indulge in thoughts of fatherhood. Families like the Silvermans are an example not only to our opponents, but to other gays and lesbians that it's possible for US to have a happy family with a loving partner and kids. Honestly folks, I think about it and I get a little misty. I hope sharing that doesn't sound too cheesy.
After a verdict -- which ostensibly relegates this American to second class citizenship -- became clear I felt like I was in a daze. What does this mean exactly, I asked myself. You know, some might say that gays and lesbians scored a demi-victory yesterday but I don't see it that way. For me, anything short of equal protection is not a victory.
Anyway, as the ruling was sinking in I spotted Carol Gay who was looking as disappointed as I felt. Carol must have known I needed a hug. It felt good to see her taking some time off the stump to come rally for equality for people like me. More proof she's a true blue progressive who will do us proud in Congress.
At a Press Conference this morning at the Statehouse in Trenton, NJ Citizen Action PAC annouced their 2006 endorsements.
Carol Gay took the opportunity to talk about the issues
I am working to ensure that government responds to the needs of people rather than the interests of those with money and power.
but also went on the offensive against Chris Smith:
Chris Smith has not debated his opponent in 20 years. He doesn't debate because he has a shameful, embarrassing record and he doesn't have the courage to stand on a stage and defend his failed policies.
Republican leadership has failed. Chris Smith has failed.
She also called for the resignation of Republican leadership implicated in the cover up of Rep. Foley's perversions:
Smith is protecting a party which has seen the indictment of the previous majority leader (Tom DeLay), the indictment of the chair of the House administration committee (Bob Ney), the imprisonment of a member of the Appropriations Committee (Duke Cunningham) the federal investigation of the chair of the House Appropriations committee (Jerry Lewis) and, most recently, a federal investigation of a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (Curt Weldon).
But I think Chris Smith gets extra credit for all the hard work he does for Dobson and other religious extremists. That's why we need Carol Gay for Congress.
The votes:
Marriage protection and sponsorship of the amendment; maintain ban on abortions at military facilities overseas; requiring minor's parents be notified if crossing state lines for an abortion and requiring doctors to notify parents of out of state minors who seek abotion services; repeal tax payer money used for lawyer fees in establishment of religion cases against local state and federal governments (ten Commandments)-"threatening public official's public displays of religion"; removing federal courts from hearing Pledge of Allegiance cases; and of course blastocyst protection act.
Chris Smith is SOOO concerned about families but he doesn’t trust NJ families to do the right thing whether making a decision about the size of their family or end of life care ( he was Terri Schiavo’s brother’s chauffer to middle of the night pressers- had to cancel a trip to Europe to get in on the action.) He has spent his 26 year congressional career trying to eliminate contraceptive and abortion services not only for his constituents and US citizens, but also for the poverty stricken in developing countries.
Any advice from the grassroots about how to tell, oh let's say, 65,000 to 100,000 women in the 4th district in the next two weeks that their congressman wants to take away their birth control pills & funding for them and thinks its ok to fund religious groups in Africa that refuse to discuss condoms?
As explanation, he opposes interfering with a fertilized egg, and since birth control pills may do that (mostly they stop ovulation, but it might prevent implantation) and IUD's do, it's condoms or nothing. I haven't figured out yet how the Africa stance fits in with the condoms are ok view, except if he's defending Catholic and other religious groups working in Africa who do oppose condoms.
The papers will not cover this, considering the Star Ledger and Phil. Inquirer endorsements over the weekend, relying on Smith propaganda that he is a moral person etc and his 'principled' demotion from the veterans affairs committee (hey, he stood up to DeLay once - he won't call for Hastert and Boehner's resignation now, even though he was on Foley's Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus and wants life imprisonment for what he calls 'child sex offenders'). Some women's group understand the threat, and their DC offices worry about it, but want to back viable races when it comes to their PAC's, or are just now getting around to considering the 4th.
We need boots (or whatever the latest fashionable walking shoe is) on the ground, $$, progressives, women and anyone else who is closer to the 4th than the 7th to get out the word out.
Honestly, when these two weeks are over - I go back to the 6th in my peri-menopausal state, so as people like to say regarding Iraq, I don't really have 'skin in the game,' except my desire to live in a state where science is not rejected for ideological reasons and one where we've regained ground lost for women in politics, if not broken the glass ceiling.
For all of you who were in PA in '04, getting the 85% Philly turnout for Kerry and helping keep the state blue (and those who live in the circulation area) - the Inquirer has just back the wrong horse in NJ's 4th:
When Smith takes a stand, be it on opposing abortion, increasing benefits for military veterans, or ending human trafficking and other abuses around the globe, he fights for it no matter the consequences. His dogged efforts on behalf of veterans cost him the chairmanship of the House Veterans Committee in 2005. While often tackling international issues, Smith has a good record of addressing constituents' concerns at home.
Can we get over the fact that DeLay kicked him of the Veterans Affairs Committee??? He learned his lesson and has voted for plenty of legislation denying vets the help they need, not getting troops the equipment they need and getting us into the quagmire in Iraq.
Throw us a bone:
The Case for Gay
Gay is a longtime labor activist and is strongly pro-choice on abortion. She is most passionate about her opposition to the war in Iraq and favors withdrawing U.S. troops as soon as possible.
Smith opposes any form of CONTRACEPTION except condoms and abstinence. They like to mention "pro-choice on abortion," without getting that the fundamentalist movement is now about denying contraception and stopping embryonic stem cell research! Smith has also gone into bills to make sure that US funding was allowed for AIDS groups in Africa that refuse to offer condoms on religious grounds.
And then this gem:
Character / Ethics
Smith has supported several campaign reform bills; Gay supports public financing of campaigns. Smith's devotion to veterans and human rights around the world speaks highly of his personal integrity.
Personal integrity would be calling for the RESIGNATIONS of the House leadership as Carol has done. Standing up to the leadership that has been indicted, jailed, investigated by the FBI, and at the end of the "Dubya proclaimed 'National Character Counts'" week, calling for his party's leaders to step down since they refused to protect the exploited teenage pages he professes to care so much about as a member of Foley's Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus.
Carol Gay headed north to my town, Montclair, for a house party. Carol has been getting some traction in the 4th district, Carol, being a Camp Wellstone grad & a longtime union girl, is running a vigorous grassroots effort.
Last night Carol Gay (D-NJ-4th), one of "The Heroes", made her debut on The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. Stephen introduced Carol for another installment in their "Better Know a District" Series. He called Chris Smith a "coward" for not speaking to him and went on during the interview to use Carol's last name in different campaign slogans "Time For A Change...Go Gay" etc. Hey, any publicity is good right? Definately got some name recognition by repeating Gay 100 times in 4 minutes!
Talk about a "Colbert Bump"! We've heard this morning on her website Carol Gay For Congress from people all over the country, Ohio, Hawaii, all voicing their support for Carol!
You go Girl!
Replays air today at 2:30 and 8:30pm.
If you'd like to help and meet Carol in person, Tues. Oct. 17th NJ Industrial Union Council Fundraiser
6 PM – 8 PM with Special Guest Gov. Jon Corzine
At the United Auto Workers Union Hall
56 Vineyard Rd
Edison, NJ
RSVP:(732) 646-1547 or email Carol Gay For Congress
Knock me over with a feather. The Ocean County Observer covered Carol on torture. Granted it was in local briefs after 'boy steals video camera from car' But hey, less conservative papers covering the district haven't picked it up so far:
Challenger opposes vote on military act
BRICK - Calling it "one of the darkest days in American history," Democrat Carol Gay blasted Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th, for voting for the Military Commissions Act, which she said allows the Bush administration to continue to hold and "torture" detainees charged with no crimes while depriving them ... without legal redress.
"Chris Smith voted to undercut the Geneva Conventions ... the oldest and most widely respected human rights agreement in the world," she charged.
She said Americans will continue to use extensive sleep deprivation, confinement in uncomfortable positions, near drowning, and other techniques called state secrets on detainees.
The law provides immunity for anyone who committed a war crime during the period Bush ordered the detainees held, she added.
Continuing to sanction torture "endangers our military in case they are captured," Gay said.
Smith's campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Gay's claims...
Today Democratic Congressional Challenger Carol Gay issued a press release criticizing Rep. Smith for supporting torture.
“Chris Smith's voted to undercut the Geneva Conventions," Gay said. "Smith claims to be one of the strongest supporters of human rights in Congress, but he is voting to undercut the oldest and most widely respected human rights agreements in the world.
“It outrages me that my Congressman voted for this bill, which not only legalizes torture but also deprives so-called detainees of the right of habeas corpus, thereby permitting them to be held for any amount of time without any charges having been made against them and without any review by any authority outside of the Executive Branch. This sort tyrannical treatment of human beings has been illegal under our legal traditions, but now Chris Smith says its okay."
I wish every New Jersey Democrat had the guts to stand up for what's right, bravo Carol !
Update, 2:15pm: Good news and bad news.On the bright side, we are up over $7,1oo! Unfortunately we are up against a deadline. Tomorrow is the quarterly filing day for federal candidates. That means today's "$5 Friday" is especially crucial.
It's been a big week here at Blue Jersey, especially as we celebrate our one year anniversary "covering NJ like a rug." Traditionally, the proper gift befitting a first anniversary is PAPER. Now since it's a special occasion I humbly suggest that (in lieu of gifts) you make a $5 or $10 or $20 contribution to your favorite NJ candidate on Act Blue.
If you go look at the current fundraising totals on the Act Blue page, you see that the numbers are impressive. We are just shy of the $7ooo mark and we still have a few more short weeks to show support for one or more of the fantastic New Jerseyans who are on our Act Blue slate.
I realize dollars do not grow on trees. And I admit that there's a small amount of sheepishness that I feel every Friday asking you to consider parting with your hard-earned money. But this is important! And for many of you with hectic lives who are too busy to volunteer, we wanna give you the chance to help out too. Your time is valuable to the campaigns, but so is your financial help. So our Five Dollar Friday feature is meant to make helping out easy, since you can contribute or volunteer on the Act Blue Site.
Today at City Belt we roll out a new feature for this election season: Meet the Candidates. The reasoning is this -- we're never quite satisfied by the "On the Issues" section of a candidate's Web site, we find the language elusive, and, more often, we find that certain issues we care about are not addressed.
But we also need your help, Blue Jersey. It's a simple two-page questionnaire, and a candidate for office should be able to answer all of the questions fairly easily. But it seems that certain campaigns aren't interested in giving City Belt the time of day.
If you really want independent media and diverse voices in NJ, you've got to support it. Contacting the campaigns listed at the bottom of the story is Step Number One -- please take a few minutes and help everyone gain a better understanding of this fall's candidates.
