by David Safier David Gregory appears to be confused about the nature of Jews and "Leaders." According to Talking Points memo, on today's Meet the Press, Gregory called Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu “Leader of the Jews,” talked about his role as "leader of the Jewish People” and asked him his opinion about Obama by … Read more
by David Safier When I arrived at the northwest office (Oracle and Magee) a half hour late for breakfast, I expected 25 people would be there, hoped for 40 and feared 15. I was amazed to find at least 70 people. "Free breakfast," someone said to me, but I don't think that was the reason. … Read more
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Announcement from the Arizona Democratic Party: 2012 Hall of Fame Dinner Hall of Fame Dinner October 10th, 2012with Keynote Speaker Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson Location To Be DeterminedPhoenix, AZ 6:00p.m. VIP & General Receptions, Registration7:00p.m. Dinner DINNER SPONSORSHIP LEVEL$25,000 Dinner Sponsor(10 VIP and Dinner Tickets, Priority Seating, Listing in Program, Signage) … Read more
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's law repealing most collective bargaining for local and school employees was struck down by a Dane County judge on Friday. Judge throws out Walker's union bargaining law:
The law remains largely in force for state workers, but for city, county and school workers the decision by Dane County Judge Juan Colas returns the law to its status before Walker signed the legislation in March 2011.
Colas ruled that the law violated workers' constitutional rights to free speech, free association and equal representation under the law by capping union workers' raises but not those of their nonunion counterparts. The judge also ruled that the law violated the "home rule" clause of the state constitution by setting the contribution for City of Milwaukee employees to the city pension system rather than leaving it to the city and workers.
The decision could still be overturned on appeal – the Supreme Court has already restored the law once in June 2011 after it was blocked by a different Dane County judge in a different case earlier that year.
"The decision essentially creates the (2011) status quo for municipal employees and school district employees because it declared the essential provisions of Act 10 to be unconstitutional," said Lester Pines, an attorney for the Madison teachers union and one of its members.
* * *
A spokeswoman for Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said he would likely appeal the decision.
"We believe the law is constitutional. We are reviewing the decision, but we're planning to appeal," Dana Brueck said.
Posted by Bob Lord
By all appearances, the Chicago teachers' strike is over. An agreemnent has not been ratified, but the reports are that a framework has been agreed upon and that the heavy lifting is done.
What's too bad is that we won't hear any push back against the union bashing that took place this week. As some, including Rahm Emanuel, would have it, the teachers were irresponsible to strike. All those underprivileged kids would go without math education for, oh my God, one week. The damage to their potential would be irretrievable.