Darfur 
|
|
Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 01:30:00 PM EDT
|
 |
Congressman Donald Payne on a recent trip to Darfur.
Photo Courtesy of Theodros Dagne |
Congressman Donald Payne is the chairman of the the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health. This is what AllAfrica had to say about him and his knowledge of African issues:He is widely viewed as the leading expert on African affairs in the Congress. He has traveled throughout the continent, including two recent trips to east and southern Africa. In a series of recent interchanges with AllAfrica, he discussed those trips and outlined his views on many of the most pressing African issues. Here are some of the highlights from the interview. On Sudan and whether the Congressman thinks the sanctions should remain in place:I would hope that President Obama's administration is not thinking about relaxing sanctions or making any kind of concessions to the government of Sudan. I would hope that we are not going to allow Bashir to continue to reign terror on the people of Darfur and also not really comply with the CPA. Below the fold I'll have more of the Congressman's interview.
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 339 words in story)
|
|
|
|
Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 10:11:29 AM EDT
|
|
Not too long ago, in response to the Sudanese government's genocidal policies, Assemblyman Bill Payne shepherded a bill through the Statehouse that would prohibit the state of New Jersey from investing in Sudan.
In doing so the Garden State joined Illinois as the only state in the land to put its money were its mouth is when it comes to the extermination of an entire race.
The move to divest was largely hailed as an important symbolic move. In fact, the House of Representatives commended New Jersey and Illinois for their leadership on this issue . Likewise, all over the country, men and women of conscience were pleased to see someone finally doing.... something. After all, genocide is forever and already the number of dead and displaced is too high to count.
You'd think with something as serious as mass extermination , most people would be sympathetic to the cause. But you'd be wrong.
From a recent Rush Limbaugh show: Democrats "want to get us out of Iraq, but they can't wait to get us into Darfur," Limbaugh said.
He continued: "There are two reasons. What color is the skin of the people in Darfur? It's black. And who do the Democrats really need to keep voting for them? If they lose a significant percentage of this voting bloc, they're in trouble." Now it's possible that it was the OxyContin doing the talking, but still.....
Limbaugh fans notwithstanding, I suspect anyone troubled about the plight of Darfur is probably concerned that hundreds of thousands of people are dying. Black, white, or polka dotted, it wouldn't matter much. Am I right?
Now it's worth pointing out that Assemblyman Payne's leadership on the issue of genocide in Darfur is a family affair. His brother, Congressman Donald Payne chairs the Africa and sub committee in Washington and has made Darfur a huge personal priority.
Unfortunately the lack of leadership in the Whitehouse (and State Department) have limited the American response to hollow gestures for the most part. (In fact in a Dec 'o6 interview with Blue Jersey Congressman Payne remarked that the United States finds itself currently in a pickle where our purported human rights values are in direct conflict with our post-9/11 "intelligence" objectives.)
It's for these reasons that New Jersey and Illinois' brave position on Darfur (and genocide on general) is so unique and noteworthy.
Now what?
First of all, regarding Limbaugh, click over to Media Matters and add your name to the growing list of folks demanding an for this latest race-based rant. It might not seem like it would make much difference, but here at Blue Jersey we have a proud tradition of rising up to challenge hate speech on the airwaves. Imus? Jersey Guys? Hello!
After that, call your representatives in Trenton. Very, very few places have laws on the books that specifically address the situation in Darfur. New Jersey is one of them. This issue was very much a bi-partisam one so keep this issue on Trenton's radar!
Finally, call Congressman Donald Payne. He's chairman of the House Africa and Human Rights Subcommittee, thus represents all New Jerseyans in that capacity. Again, remind him how much genocide matters to you.
And when you're done with all that, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. I've no doubt that you have something to say about genocide or Rush Limbaugh (or both), so by all means fire away.
|
|
Discuss
:: (2
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 03:22:40 PM EDT
|
|
Environment
Saturday, April 21, is the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. This is the chance for Salem County residents to drop off poisons, oil, gasoline, turpentine, etc. FREE OF CHARGE at the Salem County Solid Waste Facility. Better to take care of that old can this spring instead of risking an accident. (The next collection days will be 20 October 2007, 19 April 2008, and 18 October 2008.)
Politics
The Republicans controlling the Woodstown Borough Council chose Democrat Charles Mellon to replace David Lindenmuth. (Lindenmuth, you'll recall, resigned to concentrate on his full time job and his role as Freeholder.) Democrats wanted Robin Weinstein, but obviously the Republicans were afraid of him since he nearly won last November's election. Republican Richard Pfeffer's quote is particularly funny:
"We wanted to go with a fresh mind," he said, adding the council had to be sure not to chose someone with an outside agenda. "We need young, energetic people."
If there are two words that describe Robin, they are "young" and "energetic." Well, we will see what happens in the next election.
Representative Frank LoBiondo spoke about the state of NJ2. According to the newspaper coverage, the main issue seems to be keeping favorable tax treatment for motor race racetracks. O-kay. There doesn't seem to be a copy of the speech at his website. In any case, I agree with him on this and thank him:
He noted he was most proud of the fact effluent from treated VX nerve gas was not dumped into the Delaware River.
There was raging debate about the topic, but LoBiondo said it was fortunate DuPont saw it was going nowhere.
"It was a bad idea from the start," he said.
|
|
There's More...
:: (1
Comments, 383 words in story)
|
|
|
|
Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 06:01:50 AM EST
|
|
It's all Civil Unions all the time in New Jersey media this morning. It's a good thing. So to all the couples who tied the knot last night: congrats and WE LOVE YOU!
Let's talk a little about New Jersey pride. What makes you most proud to be a New Jerseyan? Personally, I love it here and I can't imagine living anywhere else in the world.
Happy Chinese New Year everyone, it's the Year of the Pig, an animal associated with fertility and chivalry!! Chinese tradition suggests it's a time for renewal. So let's get out there and make some babies and treat each other with chivalry!
Changing gears a bit, there's an interesting piece about Rep. Chris Smith in today's Courier Post. Check it out and see how NJ's longest serving Congressman is managing in the new Democratic Congress. Oink.
Atlantic City casinos are worried that their revenues are headed in the wrong direction. Maybe the gambling industry will look at that trend and transform the AC landscape to an envoronment that more people will want to take part in. For so long and the state faces competetion from neighbors AND the atmosphere in a casino feels like an art deco internment camp, this trend should continue.
Could Admiral William Fallon's South Jersey pedigree help him lead the US to victory in Iraq? He seems to think so. As the commander of US forces in the Mid East, he sure has his work cut out for him.
Thanks to Congressman Donald Payne, Chairman of the Africa SubCommittee, the movement to divest in Sudan is gathering momentum. Just remember folks, GENOCIDE IS FOREVER.
What's going through your mind this morning, folks? Did I overlook something? It's an open thread, so bring it on!!!
|
|
Discuss
:: (3
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Wed Jan 24, 2007 at 01:33:20 PM EST
|
It's official!
As previously reported, House Committee of International Affairs Chairman Tom Lantos (CA) tapped New Jersey's own Donald Payne to lead the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.
There is no one more uniquely qualified for this assignment than Rep. Payne. First of all let us not ingore the symbolic importance of a black person in this leadership post. Just the same, Payne's foreign policy chops are pretty meaty. He's been to Africa dozens of time, met with all the heads of state, sometimes with UN delegations in tow. I remember the conference room in his Newark office from Payne's Darfur interview with Blue Jersey. It was covered with photos of Congressman P. with the likes of Nelson Mandella, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf among many others.
And speaking of Darfur, Congressman Payne has been sounding alarm bells about the genocide for, well, years. He's been front and center from the beginning but his efforts were neutralized by the Bush Administration's goofy intelligence-sharing relationship with Sudanese government in Khartoum.
(more below the flip)
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 218 words in story)
|
|
|
|
Tue Jan 09, 2007 at 03:18:22 PM EST
|
|
Congressman Donald Payne is slated to over the House Subcommittee on Africa and Human Rights. On an NPR call in show today, former Irish President (and UN Human Rights Commissioner) Mary Robinson weighs in about why it's critical that Payne get the nod.
Do you care about human rights? How about issues in Africa such as AIDS and Darfur? Yeah me too. That's why I am waiting anxiously for the official announcement that Rep. Donald Payne will become chairman of the Africa/Human Rights House Committee. I am convinced that Congressman Payne is up to the task and ready to make human rights a real priority. And so does former Irish president.
I got a chance to chat with President Robinson on an NPR call in show this morning. I was curious to hear her thoughts about the Democratic takeover of Congress and whether the new majority will signal a shift in priorities towards Africa. Click here for the mp3 of our little chat. It goes on about 2 minutes.
Related reading: Blue Jersey's interview with Rep. Payne here.
|
|
Discuss
:: (0
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Mon Dec 11, 2006 at 09:35:07 AM EST
|
|
New Jersey takes another step towards enacting a policy to provide clean needles to IV drug users to curb the spread of HIV. With today's long-awaited vote, NJ stands to become the very last state in the union to enact a needle exchange program. With HIV transmissions as high as some third world countries, this step is long overdue here in the Garden State. Today's vote will "also would provide $10 million for drug treatment and provide those exchanging needles with information and referrals for HIV testing, drug abuse treatment and health and social service programs."
Also on tap in Trenton, a property tax standoff between Governor Corzine and the Union labor movement in the state. Thousands of union members are expected to descend on the statehouse. Says said Lynn Maher, a spokeswoman for the state's teacher's union, "the message is: We are not the problem. School employees, public employees, did not cause the property tax problem." According the the Star Ledger, the frustrated Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday fired off a letter to legislative leaders challenging them to send him whatever pension reform measures they can pass, and then he will sort it out with his veto pen. "I encourage you to the lead the Legislature forward," Corzine wrote to Senate President Codeyand Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. "Make your best judgment and move forward, but do not allow this issue to slow or impede our shared and overarching objectives."
How many people will die in the Darfur region of Sudan today? As heir aparent to lead the Africa subcommittee, Rep. Donald Payne vows to make the ongoing genocide in Sudan his number one priority. Namely, he wants to fly some reconnaissance planes over Darfur to get a lay of the land, then send in unmanned drones to seek and destroy the janjaweed troops with blood on their hand.
In an interview with Blue Jersey, Rep. Payne concedes such action is a bold step but "but someone has to stop this genocide and we have to do something to show (the killers) enough is enough. At some point, enough will have to be enough." Check out the Darfur interview here.
New Jersey continues to face uo to the toxic legacy of its past. Philly Inquirer: As many as 300 long-closed municipal landfills, including others laden with toxic waste, lurk beneath New Jersey's landscape, closer to homes than many people realize. Yikes.
According to Pam's House Blend, Lt. Laurel Hester is the obvious favorite for blog-o-sphere's Queer of the Year. (Vote here) Pam also notes that the movie ("Freeheld") about Hester's death-bed struggle for pension benefin for her widow is slated to get some serious attention at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. Clearly Laurel Hester's struggle and legacy live on.
NJ.com reminds us of the ongoing battle between Gov. Corzine and PA Gov. Rendell over dredging of the Deleware River. Unless the impasse can be overcome, Rob Andrews suggests a Congressional law to dissolve the Deleware River Port Authority (which is led by Rendell) and replacing the agency with an outfit more ammenable to the needs of New Jersey.
Did I miss something? What's on your mind this mild December day??
|
|
Discuss
:: (3
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Sat Dec 09, 2006 at 02:39:45 PM EST
|
we are not going to allow people to be killed and murdered simply because their skin is black--Rep. Payne
I had the opportunity to interview New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne, who is next in line to chair the subcommittee on Africa and Human Rights in the new Democratic Congress. For the millions of people in the Darfur region of the Sudan, Congressman Payne's chairmanship can't come soon enough. As you know, all hell is broken loose in Darfur. It's a full-blown genocide, a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. Donald Payne promises to make the genocide in Darfur a top priority. He has some bold ideas to end the dying as well as the smarts (and the foreign policy chops) to address Darfur head on. And pretty soon, he'll most likely have the clout as well. So check out the interview and see for yourself why Congressman Payne is out last best hope to break the current cycle of genodice in Darfur.
(the really juicy stuff is below the fold)
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 3466 words in story)
|
|
|
|
Sat Nov 25, 2006 at 10:04:09 AM EST
|
|
With the elections in the rear view mirror, the real fun begins next month with committee and subcommittee assignments in the Senate and Congress. With the Democrats back in charge, it's a chance for New Jersey legislators to flex their clout for our values.
According to the AP a pair of long-standing NJ Congressmen are sitting pretty based on their tenure (mostly) as well as their close ties to Nancy Pelosi: Pelosi, known for her long memory of those who have been loyal to her, will likely reward Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr. and Donald Payne. Both have known the California lawmaker for almost 20 years and Pelosi has given Payne leadership positions in the past. Both are in line to head subcommittees, meaning they get the first crack at developing legislation.
If this is true, then it's good for progressives state- and nation-wide. But more importantly it represents a glimmer of hope for the victims of violence in Darfur, Sudan. As heir apparent to head the Africa subcommittee, Donald Payne is the last best chance we have to end the genocide.
For those out there keepish track, the death toll in Darfur is fast approaching a half-million. Likewise several million Africans have been displaced in the region. As the violence spreads into neignboring Chad and Central African Republic, the pro-genocide Sudanese government is holding firm that UN peacekeepers are unwelcome, calling their presence "neo-colonialism."
In a podcast interview with Blue Jersey (to air early next week) Rep. Payne had a lot to say about Darfur and he certainly had me convinced that he's the best candidate for the Africa subcommittee.
For a quick glimpse into Payne's Africa expertise, check out this op ed from the Washington Post. And more importantly stay tuned for the podcast, where you'll hear about Rep. Payne's career as a human rights activist. Clearly there is no more grave breach of human rights than genocide, which is why I hope and pray that Payne gets the nod to head that subcommittee. We'll know as early as next month who gets what and where, so their is still time to lobby your own representative on committee votes.
(more below the flip)
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 359 words in story)
|
|
|
|
Mon Oct 02, 2006 at 05:49:10 PM EDT
|
|
First it was Rwanda, then Uganda, and now Sudan. Again.
Congressman Donald Payne (NJ-10) is soundling alarm bells about an oncoming (second) wave of genocide in Sudan's Darfur region in an op-ed in today's Washington Post
WaPo: Some 450,000 innocent human beings are already dead, and more than 2.5 million have fled their homes. Now Sudan is launching a major offensive in Darfur. After three years of fruitless negotiation and feckless rhetoric, it's time to go beyond unenforced U.N. resolutions to a new kind of resolution: the firm resolve to act. Will world leaders continue to give the perpetrators of genocide a veto over international action to stop it? Unless something changes dramatically, the answer seems to be yes.
Read Rep. Payne's op-ed here.
|
|
Discuss
:: (0
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Fri May 05, 2006 at 10:14:42 AM EDT
|
|
In response to Linda Stender’s amazing buzz, Congressional Quarterly did an interview with her and found out what it is going to take to finally send a woman to congress from NJ.
Bad news for our state’s revenue. We’re not bringing in enough money to cover our debt.
Premature babies in NJ have a better chance of survival as a result of the March of Dimes campaign’s efforts.
Both Menendez and Kean jr are turning Darfur into the campaign issue de jour Both sides are committing funds and manpower to stop the genocide while saying the other isn’t doing enough. Maybe if they spent half the time they do arguing about who is doing more to stop the atrocity to actually working towards a solution, we would have one by now.
Karen Golding, disgraced lobbyist and Assemblyman Joe Cryan’s stalker, doesn’t have to go to jail, but has to seek therapy and stay away from Cryan.
|
|
Discuss
:: (1
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Wed May 03, 2006 at 05:34:12 PM EDT
|
Senator Menendez reached across the aisle to Republicans and Democrats alike to introduce bipartisan legislation to provide funding to help stop the genocide in Darfur. In fact, Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) was one of the main sponsors, and it passed by unanimous voice vote. In response, Tom Kean Jr stooped to a subterrestrial, slime-infested level by playing politics with a bipartisan effort to halt genocide:“Does Bob Menendez have no shame? It is appalling that he would use the people of Darfur for political gain. Menendez actually worked against their interests when he was raking in major campaign cash from Gum Arabic importers.
This should come as no surprise. Menendez’s priorities have always been about building his fundraising machine, and not about helping the people of Darfur.†Junior has sunken lower than the scum on the bottom of his own shoes. This is lower than the scum that lives on the shoes of other scum. Menendez led an effort to help stop genocide and Junior's instinct is to attack in order to get attention for his flailing campaign. Pathetic. And for that, I bestow upon him today's Tosser of the Day Award.
|
|
Discuss
:: (2
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Wed May 03, 2006 at 12:59:04 PM EDT
|
|
Last night, Senator Menendez offered an amendment to a supplemental appropriations bill to provide $60 million to fund a UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur. Today, that amendment passed.
Menendez yesterday stressed that it's time to take action: “After the world learned the horrors of the Holocaust, America and the international community vowed ‘never again,’†Menendez said. “After we saw the gruesome slaughter of approximately 800,000 Tutsis in less than 100 days in Rwanda, we said ‘never again.’ ‘Never again’ is an empty promise if we do not take action to stop the murder of innocent people when we know it is happening.â€
In his statement to the Senate, he noted the role New Jersey has played in focusing attention on Darfur: In New Jersey, students in middle schools have raised funds for refugees. Young people at colleges have led the movement to divest from Sudan. These are not the leaders of the future; they are the leaders of today.
And I know that as I stand here calling for action, I am not alone. In my home state of New Jersey, high school students started a non-profit organization called Help Darfur Now, which raises awareness and funds for the refugees in Sudan. Newark, New Jersey is the headquarters of the Darfur Rehabilitation Project, a national group started by Sudanese people living in the United States that lobbies for humanitarian aid, intervention, and conflict resolution in Sudan. There's more that can and should be done to stop the genocide in Darfur, but this is a good start.
|
|
Discuss
:: (1
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Tue May 02, 2006 at 01:55:42 PM EDT
|
|
Gov. Corzine was in South Jersey yesterday speaking to students about genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan. Haddonfield High senior and activist Sean Spencer invited the Governor to address the S.T.A.N.D.(students taking action now, Darfur) chapter at Haddonfield High School. And the Governor obliged, engaging with the students for several hours, which included a lenthy question and answer session.
Said Corzine, "It's so important to understand that doing nothing is wrong. Keep raising Cain with folks like me."
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 306 words in story)
|
|
|
|
Thu Apr 13, 2006 at 12:05:28 AM EDT
|
|
Even though this isn't relevant to New Jersey politics. I was just wondering if there were other people from the blue jersey community planning on attending the Darfur rally in D.C. on April 30th.
|
|
Discuss
:: (2
Comments)
|
|
|
|
Sun Apr 02, 2006 at 06:15:02 PM EDT
|
|
You know how everyone "knows" that "kids today" just don't care? They don't pay attention to the world around them, right?
Wrong. The rest of this post was written by one of my students at Montclair State University.
|
|
There's More...
:: (2
Comments, 567 words in story)
|
|
|
|
Fri Feb 24, 2006 at 03:29:58 PM EST
|
|
Members of a New Jersey group traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for more action in stopping the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. They received warm welcomes from a number of Congressman from New Jersey's delegation, but not Congressman Mike Ferguson's office.
They came to ask for more humanitarian aid and military support in a land where hundreds of thousand of Darfurians have been slaughtered, raped, wounded, driven from their homes, and attacked again while struggling for survival in the refugee camps of neighboring Chad.
Delegates met with NJ Reps. Steve Rothman (D-Dist. 9) and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-Dist. 11), both of whom signed on as sponsors to the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, a bill the lobbyists believe is vital to the salvation of the Darfurian people.
At the office of Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-Dist. 7), the delegates were seen by Amanda Tharpe, the congressman’s legislative aide. Ferguson has not signed on as a sponsor of the bill.
Describing Ferguson’s aide as “very cool†and not “terribly sympathetic,†Linda Kohl of Short Hills, president of AJC’s Metro NJ chapter, said both Frelinghuysen and Rothman were “very positive. They are really on our side. That was obvious from everything they said and everything they did.â€
This is not the first time that people have reported Ferguson's constituent services have been weak. A number of people have told Dump Mike that when they call to get information from Ferguson's NJ and DC offices they are told that the staffer doesn't know the answer, and that an answer can be expected in two to three weeks. Others say that their questions by phone and submitted on Ferguson's web site go unanswered.
This is unacceptable. The people who Ferguson represents have a right to know where he stands on the issues important to them, and waiting three weeks or receiving no answer is poor constituent support.
|
|
There's More...
:: (0
Comments, 149 words in story)
|
|
|
|
|
| Featured Stories |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
