Endorsement Vs Integrity

Bernie Sanders has yet to endorse Hillary Clinton or drop out of the race but he has said he will vote for her. 

What is he waiting for? 

His integrity won't let him?  Not likely

If he had any integrity as an independent he would have run for President as an independent and not as a Democrat.

If he had any integrity as an independent he would not have accepted the $10,000 Hillary Clinton gave him during his Senate race.  He would have returned it to her people. But, he took it and he spent it.  If she is so bad and such a 'corporate whore' (as his supporters have called her) why would he have taken her contribution?

Why is he still running?  Could it be the contributions he is still racking in?  Could it be ego?  Could it be he is delusional? 

My bet is on the money.

There is a very good chance that the Democrats will take back control of the US Senate after this election and if that happens Bernie Sanders is in line to become a very important committee chairman.

But, that will not happen if he does not endorse and actively campaign for the Presidential nominee.

What do you think the Senator from Vermont will do?

1. Maintain his "integrity" and not support Hillary Clinton.
2. Endorse and campaign for/with Hillary Clinton and assure his senior ranking in the US Senate.

I know that you Sanders true believers will say # 1.  But, you have proven how naïve you are time and time again. And, many of you are the same people who turned on Barack Obama pretty quickly.  You don't live in the real world, are very fragile and easily fooled.

Having said all this I think his name should be placed in nomination because his 3 million less voters then Hillary Clinton deserve that honor and respect.

Politics is not pretty kids and it involves compromise and sacrifice if you can't handle get out and let the adults handle things

Penn State: A Fresh Start

The Penn State Board of Trustees invites an old friend  back home to take of the Presidency of the great University.


At first glance Eric Barron seems like a perfect fit. He is coming from Florida State where when he was just taking office there was in the middle of a football inspired melt down.  He calmed the waters and united the University.  He also enhanced Florida States reputation as a research institution, something he does not have to do at PSU.

According to new reports he appreciates the role big time sports plays in the life of a place like Penn State but is also not willing to sacrifice academics for football.

With a new football coach who stresses the importance of academics and a president who understands that varsity sports is an integral part of a big land grant university like Penn State.

Here's hoping these two new hires usher in a new and improved era for my beloved Alma Mater!

WE ARE!  

Callahan Endorsed by E-T - My Own Endorsement Coming Soon

I am not convinced that newspaper endorsement have an effect on the outcome of an election or that people take it into consideration when voting but getting an editorial board endorsement is better than not getting one.

The newspaper of record for Northampton County The Express - Times / LehighValleyLive has endorsed my friend and excellent Mayor John Callahan for Northampton County Executive.

I will be blogging this week about who I am voting for and why and we all know that my endorsement is the kiss of death so important to the masses that I am sure you will all be waiting on pins and needles for my inspired pronouncements.

Since I have been accused of thinking I am better than most people, I am compelled by my own sense of over blown grandeur & self importance to tell you all how to vote.

New Jersey A Step Closer to Marriage Equality

Is Pennsylvania going to be the last holdout in the Northeast?

Yesterday a New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled that marriage inequality was not legal in the state.  The judge used the recent Supreme Court  as the basis for her decision.  This is not the final word on this matter the case is likely to be appealed to the Court of Appeals and then to the New Jersey Supreme Court.  But, New Jersey is clearly on it's way to recognizing marriage equality.

Well Done You!  Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson

 Many New Jersey court watchers believe that Superior Courts Judge's ruling overturning the states inadequate Civil Union law in favor of marriage equality will be upheld on appeal. The states obnoxious and popular Governor vetoed legislation earlier this year allowing same sex marriage and the legislature has until January to over ride it. So, it appears New Jersey will join the rest of the Northeastern states in supporting a more perfect union.


Which leaves my home state as the last hold out.

C'mon Pennsylvania you can do this.  Remember you are the state that claims to be the birth place of this great democracy and you are the home of the first and only (reportedly) gay President.

Please Pennsylvania don't let Alabama do this before you do!

A similar ruling was just issued  by a judge in Illinois.



.

With or Without Hillary

One of the things I cared most about during the Bethlehem's mayoral Democratic primary was that we needed to elect a Mayor who would take the forward momentum nurtured by John Callahan and continue to run with it.  The results of the primary left me with little hope and the addition of an independent candidate has left me with even less hope (I spent time on his web-site).

Throughout my political life I have always embraced change and challenged the powers that be.  I often supported the upstart challenger (though not always) but I usually draw the line at challenging a competent incumbent.

A few months ago I blogged about Hillary Clinton telling us to piss off and deciding not to run for President. Then, who would I support?  I have been giving this a lot of thought and I have evolved to a point in my thinking that even if Hillary does run I may not support her in the primary.  Is Hillary Clinton the right person to move us forward?  Is she the candidate of change?  Can she be the candidate of change?

Don't get me wrong I believe in Hillary Clinton and my support and affection for her is as strong now as it was in 2008.  But, can she be the candidate of moving us forward?

If not Hillary than whom?

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has captured my imagination and I am doing what I can to learn about him.  From time to time I will share what I learn.  In the mean time here is a link to his website,

http://www.martinomalley.com/

.

Caroline Kennedy Set to Represent 米国 in 日本

First Daughter for Life Caroline Kennedy has just been appointed Ambassador to Japan.  A high honor indeed.

Japan is a key and important ally and sending them someone like Caroline Kennedy shows how important our relationship is and shows great respect to them.

I wonder if the Senate Republicans will try to delay and or filibuster her nomination.

Some will say that Ms. Kennedy is being rewarded for her support and loyalty to President Obama.  Of course that is the reason she is being appointed.  Most ambassadors are appointed because they are supporters of a President - Yes Republican Presidents do this as well.  It's not as if the relationship with Japan is hostile so a seasoned diplomat is not needed.

Some will say she has no experience in foreign policy.  She is not making foreign policy the President does that, she simply has to represent the interests of the nation to the people and government of Japan.  The State Department has professional, non political staffers to guide the Ambassador through her time in Japan.

She will be the face of the United States in Japan and quite frankly I can think of no better face than Daughter of Camelot and the scion of one of the greatest political legacy in our nations history.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/caroline-kennedy-ambassador-japan_n_3646705.html

An Independent Files for Mayor of Bethlehem

We now have a race for Bethlehem Mayor this fall, at least on paper.  It is tough to get elected if you are not a Democrat but it is not impossible.  Four years a Republican was elected Controller.

Former Moravian Academy teacher Bruce Sigmon has filed petitions to run as an Independent for Mayor.  Running as an Independent may actually make more sense than running as a Republican in the city of Bethlehem.

Mr. Sigmon seems to be off to a languid start.  He said he will not really begin active campaigning until sometime in August.  I have no idea what his positions are but I am willing to listen, given my disappointment in the Democratic Nominee.

But, first and foremost I care about moving this city forward and I will vote for the candidate who meets or comes close to my expectation of the type of leadership I want for my city.

I am open and ready to listen to both Mr. Sigmon & Mr. Donchez and if both disappoint me I will write in myself.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2013/07/bethlehem_independent_files_fo.html