Commonwealth Court Judge Robert E. Simpson, presiding over the case challenging the PA Voter ID law, has refused to grant an injunction to stop the law from being enforced. Inan article on Philly.com, his 70 page decision is quoted,
"Smpson said plaintiffs did not establish that "disenfranchisement was immediate or inevitable."
He also said plaintiffs did not prove that denying an injunction would cause "greater injury," and instead noted issuing one now would interfere with election machinery now in motion.
Simpson said the plaintiffs' lawyers "did an excellent job of 'putting a face' to this burdened by the voter ID requirement. "At the end of the day, however, I do not have the luxury of deciding this issue based on my sympathy for the witnesses or my esteem for counsel. Rather, I must analyze the law, and apply it . . . " he wrote."
This ruling comes despite the fact that Pennsylvania Republican House Leader Mike Turzai has publicly admitted that voter identification efforts are meant to suppress Democratic votes in this year’s election and that only 13 cases of in-person voter fraud have been prosecuted in PA in the last 10 years.
The article also quotes one of the Plaintiffs in the case, 93 year-old Viviette Applewhite, as saying,"I just can't believe it ..." Too many people have fought for the right to vote to have it taken away like this. All I want is to be able to vote this November like I always have. This law is just ridiculous."
An article in the Washington Post cites Romney as saying in a speech, “Mr. President, take your campaign of division and anger and hate back to Chicago and let us get about rebuilding and reuniting America.” Doesn't that sound just like a kid from your childhood whining after losing a game, or not being picked to be on a team?
That article had some great comments. Here is one series of posts and replies:
Lee1865
11:52 AM EDT
I have to tell you all, I'm in the top 5%, and I am not hurting. My family's income went up by 50% in the past four years. Yes, the value of our house plummeted, but we're not moving, so it's irrelevant. It just means I pay less in property tax. Republican policies put me where I am. Am I grateful? No. Young graduates are un- or under-employed. The roads around me are full of pot-holes. My streets aren't plowed in the winter or swept in the summer. The local library, the local museums are dying ...See More
lindakinne
11:55 AM EDT
Thank God for someone who gets it!!!
BullyLover
11:55 AM EDT
Ditto - my husband and I are in the top 1%. AND because we have brains and hearts know that there are people who weren't given or weren't capable of taking the opportunities available to us. We'll be voting for Obama.
AngelaO48
11:59 AM EDT
Same here - my husband and I are also in the top 1% and will be voting for Obama. He's the only intelligent choice. Our lives will not change by paying more taxes, but our nation as a whole will be better off the more teachers, police, firefighters have a living wage and job.
Not everyone is blessed as we are., and to quote another "community organizer" "Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do it for Me"
lencharette
12:03 PM EDT
Nick Hanauer the self made millionaire even made a video ( it's on YouTube ) about this. He is only going to buy so many cars, so many pair of shoes and so many washing machines and can only go out so often. We need millions of people to do these things over and over. That would create jobs and boost the economy.
roaxle
12:04 PM EDT
Thanks to all of you. I'm not even close to the 1% or 5%--retired public school teacher--but even I can afford to pay more taxes. I have everything I need, most of what I want, and enough to give a bit to charity. But what would gratify me most is to see everyone with a job that pays a living wage.
"As a nation, we have long been headed toward a showdown of two competing ideas on the role of government in America ... On the one hand, Republicans offer a call for smaller government. They claim that our economic woes and our high rate of unemployment is the result of over-regulation and over-taxation ... On the other hand, President Obama and the Democrats believe we can all get through this together ... The President calls for more stimulus spending in the form of infrastructure repair and additional investment in renewable energy technologies."
McCann's conclusion:
"Republicans' solutions strike me as mean-spirited and un-American. If Republican ideas were so good, why would they have to pass laws that could result in hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians not being allowed to vote because they do not have the right papers (sounds Kafkaesque, right?). Why would they feel the need to lie to Americans to sell their ideas (death panels, the ACA cuts Medicare benefits, gay marriage will ruin families - all nonsense)"
"The presidential campaign has gotten so heated over the attacks and counterattacks from the Obama and Romney campaigns that it’s easy to forget that larger issues are at stake in November. That’s unfortunate because, beneath the froth, there is an important ideological debate to be had about America’s future."
Zakaria describes Obama's and Romney's positions in very similar terms to McCann's.
Zakaria's conclusion:
"Both views have merit. It would make for a great campaign if our nation had a sustained discussion around these ideas. Then the election would produce a mandate to move in one of these directions ... In other words, the great shift in the U.S. economy over the past 30 years has not been an increase in taxes and regulations but, rather, a decline in investment in human and physical capital. President Obama has real facts and a strong case — which makes it all the more depressing that his campaign has focused on half-truths and weak arguments."
Both articles highlight the failing of our 2-party system as it exists now. Each party is so focused on scoring off the other, that the critical goal of finding the best person to solve the country's problem has been lost. An actual debate based on facts cannot take place because each side is too politically welded to its position to be able make concessions or compromise to reach agreement.
Take a look at this video on Fox News. The panel of 3 people discuss whether or not President Obama's statement "You didn't build that ..." was taken out of context.
First, as is the norm with Fox, not one of the panelists is impartial, their conclusion is pre-determined by their political opinions.
Second, "that". I believe Obama was referring to bridges, roads, all the things he mentioned in the previous sentence. It's a lot simpler than people make it out to be. Just like Ann Romney's "you people" was referring to the media, IMO. Over-thinking to fill 24 hour news cycle strikes again.
Third, watching this video, one thing became immediately apparent to me. The analysts on the panel are either unable or unwilling to understand President Obama's complex thought process. The point Obama makes is that nothing occurs in a vacuum. On the surface, you see a successful business. BUT, if you have the ability to ANALYZE, SYNTHESIZE, and EXTRAPOLATE, you see below the surface and beyond the immediate focus to a myriad of support structures and systems that all contribute to a business' success. The President's point is that investment in these structures and systems is ESSENTIAL for American business to thrive. This is irrefutable. Mitt Romney's position - that businesses should not be taxed because they create jobs - is demonstrably flawed. Just look at the banking industry, the oil industry, and the pharmaceutical industry for examples of how record-breaking profits have failed to restore the US economy.
How much fun to watch David Cook interact with these kids. Too bad he is so overdressed in a 3-piece suit and tie. Love watching Neil answer questions, too. I wasn't too impressed with "The Last Goodbye" when I first heard it, it sounded an awful lot like Daughtry's "No Surprise" to me. But after watching this video, I'm liking it a lot more. "Rolling in the Deep" and part of "Living on a Prayer" videos are on the NY Daily News page.
David Cook's cover of the 1985 Simple Minds song "Don't You Forget About Me" is the going home song for American Idol season 10. But it might just as well be a message from Cook to his fans because he is STILL working on his second effort that fans have been waiting over 2 years for.
While it's nice to hear David's voice again, this to me is not a stand-out effort. As Randy might say, he just didn't do enough to make it his own. I'm getting very impatient for the new record and hope that it will showcase Cook's amazing voice better than this cover does. Listen for yourself.
This video is unbelievable. the video evidence of Anderson and Lutui laughing on the bench at the Cards-'49ers MNF game is irrefutable. Not only can he not handle the ball in a football game, he can't handle himself at a press conference. What the heck does Ken Whisenhunt see in this guy? I don't see any "swag-tangibles" at all.
From an e-mail sent out by Patrick Murphy's campaign: OUTRAGE: More Dem Voters Targeted by GOP Witch Hunt Voice Anger
Bucks County voters call on Mike Fitzpatrick to end political games and protect their right to vote
(Bristol, PA) – Democrats in Bucks County continue to discover that they are targets of the GOP’s witch hunt, as more learn that their names are on a list of voters that Mike Fitzpatrick and his GOP operatives are attempting to disenfranchise. Voters on the target list – including disenfranchised veterans, a nine-month pregnant woman, and college students - are joining the calls for Mike Fitzpatrick to put an end to the political games and allow their eligible vote to count.
Yesterday, Murphy listened to voters who are on the GOP’s target list express outrage over Mike Fitzpatrick and his GOP operatives’ attempt to steal the election using Florida-style Bush tactics:
“Six years ago, I put the Marine uniform on for my country and shipped out to fight in Iraq at the battle of Fallujah. I almost lost my life several times in IED blasts and fire fights. Mike Fitzpatrick, I’m asking you to step up, be a man, and stop playing political games. Let my mom’s vote count. I served my country. And I served for your freedom.” - Tony Rakoczy, decorated Marine who served in Battle of Fallujah, 2004
“I did everything I was supposed to do and sent in my vote, but Mike Fitzpatrick and the Republicans are trying to take that away. My baby fought for his country. This isn’t right.” - Patricia Rakoczy, Tony’s Mother, Levittown
“Even though I’m at college, I was determined to have my vote count. I made sure to apply on time for my ballot. I filled out my vote, signed it, double checked it, and stuck it in the mail – just like I was supposed to do. Now Mike Fitzpatrick tells me, if he gets his way, my vote won’t count because he doesn’t like how I voted. Unfortunately, Mr. Fitzpatrick, I learned in my political science intro class that it doesn’t work like that. I’m asking you to do the right thing. Stop playing political games with my right to vote.” - Sam Kiernan, Levittown
“Mike, how dare you try to disenfranchise my daughter – a registered eligible voter – because you will do anything to win your election. I know that I can look my kid in the eye and tell her I’m doing everything I can to protect people’s right to vote. Can you?” - Bill Kiernan, Levittown
“I’ve voted in Bucks County for years, and when I found out last-minute that I would be out of town for business, I immediately applied for my absentee ballot, filled it out, and sent back my vote. Yesterday, I heard I’m on Mike Fitzpatrick’s target list of the votes he’s trying to toss out – and I won’t have another chance to vote. How can he get away with this? Mike Fitzpatrick, I’m asking you to do the right thing. Stand up, be a man, and stop playing political games with my right to vote.” - Dorothy Wax, Langhorne
Other stories have been pouring in as more people learn that the GOP is attempting to strike their vote.
“My name is Amie Proctor and I live in Morrsiville. I voted absentee because I’m nine-months pregnant and am due next week. So, I might be a little preoccupied on Election Day. Just in case there was any question, I even sent the Board of Elections my doctor’s business card so they could check. Now I’m on their target list to have my vote tossed out. Who on earth do these Republicans think they are, to tell me while I’m nine-months pregnant that I can’t vote?” -Amie Proctor, Morrisville
“They can’t take away my vote. I am not going to be here on Election day. If they try to take away my vote, which is a legal vote, whoever is doing this is going to have a problem. I am a veteran of the Iraq War. I fought to preserve the right to vote. Whoever is doing this, will have to look me in the eye and explain how he can possibly do this, because he is wrong.” - Stephen Capaldi, Iraq War Veteran, Levittown
“It’s my ballot. I requested it. I signed it. I sent it in. No one sent me anything or asked me to do anything. I’m disenfranchised, and I’m angry about it.”- Vincent Plebani, 57, Langhorne
“I did fill out an absentee ballot application and I did fill it out correctly and honestly, since I am in school in Boston. I am very concerned and dismayed that Mike Fitzpatrick has discounted my vote. I wish that I were home or could get home so that my vote would count.” - Dana Roccograndi, 20, Richboro
A farmer friend of mine sent me this chart. I don't know where he got it, but it has some good information about the specific health benefits of various fruits, vegetables, and fish. NOTE: If you click on the image, it will enlarge and a magnifying glass should appear. If you click on the magnifying glass, the print should be large enough to read.
