November 10
...serving up your daily dish.
They get mentioned on Baristanet quite frequently, but when Corzine says their name, it makes them swoon. From the Star Ledger...
"They called me from their cell phones, 'Ooooo, he mentioned us!'" she said yesterday morning.
That was BlueWave's president Marcia Marley's reaction, after learning that Corzine thanked BlueWave during his acceptance speech.
Suzy Kass, a BlueWave operative, saw it all at the Hilton East Brunswick. "I thought he did say it with some gusto."
Many television viewers, if they even caught it, might have thought "Blue Who?" But the outfit, organizers say, has grown from an audience of 120 blue-state activists at its inaugural meeting at Montclair's Luna Stage in January to a roster of some 460.
Much of its upper echelon carry Montclair addresses: Union Street. Melrose Place. North Mountain Avenue, to name a few.
Not surprising, considering Montclair is New Jersey's most liberal town, the bluest of the blue, according to ePodunk, a New York-based demographic numbers-cruncher that analyzed political contributions and election results to come up with its rankings.
Baristanet sends props to BlueWave, formed just 10 months ago and already a bold-faced name. Now brace yourself for the Republican backlash...
The republicans have gone back to their bunkers and board rooms to plan for a counter attack.
If your blood is blue, it would be in your best interests to get locally organized so you can do your part. If your already connected, don't stop now. Its time to pour it on.
Posted by: lasermike026 | Nov 10, 2005 9:43:19 AM
Congratulations to the dominant paradigm! You run a zealously tight ship and should be proud.
One question: when will truly progressive issues, like gay marriage and ending drug prohibition, be championed? Or is all this "progressivism" really just a cover for class war, race-conscious governance, continued patronage cronyism and limitations on political speech?
Posted by: Appletony | Nov 10, 2005 11:48:36 AM
Backlash rocks. I second Appletony...right on. I hope that Jersey gets rid Democratic virus' like the political cronyism and race-conscious government (PC censorship).
The individual is what made the country strong...not people crying "I'm a victim" every time they fail.
Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 10, 2005 1:28:37 PM
Hats off to BLUE WAVE - just goes to show what a dedicated grass roots organization can accomplish.
Here's to a BLUE future!
Posted by: Franklin | Nov 10, 2005 7:18:24 PM
Please explain what a BLUE future entails. Really -- not just bumper sticker slogans.
Will my gay and lesbian friends be able to marry?
Can I get stoned?
Will more of the dollars that I earn get to be spent by me and my family?
Will my house be in danger of being handed to a private developer for a more profitable use?
Will a 15 year old girl have to tell her parents that she's getting an abortion? How about a tattoo?
Will my trade union buddy with a 15 year old daughter have any say whether his union dues are spent to promote teen abortion without parent notification?
Will I be able to question authority by handing out pamphlets (that I pay for) against an incumbent a week before an election?
Will my teenager be allowed to meet with a military recruiter on the grounds of his public school?
Can I drive an SUV?
Posted by: Appletony | Nov 10, 2005 8:12:21 PM
For a BLUE future check out the Blue Wave website at:
http://bluewavenj.org/
Posted by: Franklin | Nov 10, 2005 8:59:19 PM
OK, I went to the Blue Wave website. None of my questions really got answered, although it's clear that there's a lot of thwarting and opposing to be done!
To the barricades!!
Posted by: Appletony | Nov 10, 2005 9:23:30 PM
I was too glib, Franklin. I like the "Straight but not narrow -- I support marriage equality" pin and slogan. Now, how will the pro-marriage equality part of Blue Wave deal with the anti-marriage equality Corzine?
The "media reform" platform has a positive in the clearly stated desire to keep internet sites free from election-related speech restrictions. Now, why can't I print pamphlets or lawn signs at my own expense on the same principle?
Posted by: Appletony | Nov 10, 2005 9:40:56 PM
Appletony - thanks for checking out the Blue Wave website...perhaps your involvement with one of the Blue Wave working groups will help frame your concerns into the organization's agenda.
Carpe Diem -- let's see the Blue Wave ripple across the nation and a "BLUE" president in 2008!
Posted by: Franklin | Nov 11, 2005 7:42:17 AM
>> Now, why can't I print pamphlets or lawn signs at my own expense on the same principle? <<
I am genuinely not understanding this point. What prevents this?
Posted by: crank | Nov 11, 2005 8:53:09 AM
Crank, it could be interpreted as a donation in kind under campaign finance reform -- unless I claim I'm running a newspaper, then I would get the special free speech rights allowed for in McCain-Feingold. Blogs are now in the FEC's sights on a similar principle.
Posted by: Appletony | Nov 11, 2005 9:08:33 AM
Thanks. I must admit I am not up on the fine points of McC-F. Obviously. Something I should attend to.
Posted by: crank | Nov 11, 2005 7:53:48 PM
Gee wiz -- a front page article in Sunday's Star Ledger (11/13/05) features Forrester blaming President Bush in part for his defeat.
Yes, during the gubernatorial campaign it was often noted that a vote for Forrester would have been a vote for Bush!
And to think that some Barista posters doubted it -- and now Forrester confirms it!
A lesson not too late for the learning as we head for congressional elections in 2006!
Carpe Diem!
Posted by: Franklin | Nov 13, 2005 4:37:50 PM
