New Jersey Gov. Christie - Smarter than the Average Rep-ugh-blican

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By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

First of all my condolences to the family of US Senator Frank Lautenberg.  He was truly a great man.  I met him on several occasions during the time I resided in Jersey City.  It was Senator Lautenberg who recommended Glenn D. Cunningham to become the first U.S. Marshall from New Jersey.  It was also Senator Lautenberg, along with Jon Corzine, recommended and backed Cunningham to become the first Black mayor of Jersey City.  Mayor Cunningham, unfortunately, died suddenly of a heart attack in 2005, and Jersey City, just like New York City, can't seem to get its act together to elect another viable Black man (or woman) to that office.  Hmmmm .... the Hudson River - could it be there's something debilitating in the water?

Bear with me, folks, I'm making a point here:  Chris Christie was also a friend of Glenn Cunningham.  They were aligned through their coinciding roles in law enforcement.  And frankly, I never knew, until he ran for governor, whether Chistie was a Democrat or Rep-ugh-blican.  Of course I found out later - kind of disappointed, if you know what I mean.

Up until Hurricane Sandy most of us had considered Christie somewhat of a buffoon - a tool for the rep-ugh-blican party - one who could be easily manipulated.  But that fateful day in October changed things considerably - it appears Christie found his manhood.  It appeared he realized, once and for all, what was more important - not political affiliation, but the welfare and needs of his constituency.

It was clear to Christie, that had there been a Rep-ubh-blican president in the White House, the people of the state of New Jersey might have been waiting until hell froze over for help.  He also realized that President Obama walked his walk, and was sincere about his desire to have a bi-partisan American government.  So he took the step seen round the world and asked for help.  And he expressed his gratitude in a way that only a real human being could - he hugged the President -on camera - in front of the whole rep-ugh-blican world - you could hear the combinations of cheers and jeers around the world.

Now, with the demise of Senator Lautenberg, the Rep-ugh-blicans were looking for Governor Christie to appoint a rep-ubh-blican to his unexpired democratic seat.  There was much debate on radio and TV.  Much speculation about what he would do; what it would mean to the party; how it would affect Obama, yada yada yada...

I got into a debate with an associate of mine as well - and I'm happy to say that I WAS RIGHT***! (Damn!  I spoke too soon - it appears - as per Corey Platt  of the DGA - see below)

I knew Christie could not in good faith put a rep-ugh-blican in Lautenberg's seat - not if he wanted to win re-election as governor of New Jersey.  There was no way.  And he couldn't appoint a Democrat either.  The only way he could do it, and look as if he was concerned about the wishes of his contituents, would be to hold an open election for Lautenberg's seat. ***

And no, rep-ugh-blicans (and Democrats)- IT'S NOT (just) ABOUT THE MONEY.  People do have a say, and they deserve to be heard; and to be represented by people they feel will act in their best interests.  If Christie had put someone in that seat without public input via the ballots, it's a sure cinch they would also see him as someone who did not have their best interests at heart.  Whether he does or not is another story - but the fact that he's smart enough to make it look that way probably means he'll be around for another 4 years.  Though he's no Jon Corzine, he's better than what you've unearthed so far.  So unless you have another candidate - viable candidate, not symbolic - to run against him; this seat is his to lose. 

You need to make sure you concentrate on getting a first BLACK MAN/WOMAN DEMOCRAT  to run for Lautenberg's seat PRONTO! 

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

***Now for the CAVEAT EMPTOR: 
Corey Platt  of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) to me :

"Gloria,
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had two options for filling the Senate seat vacated by the late progressive hero Senator Frank Lautenberg: hold a special election on November 5th, the date of the 2013 general election, or appoint a placeholder and hold the election as regularly scheduled in November 2014.

Christie stunned the country by doing neither, instead calling a special election for October 16th, just three weeks prior to the general election. Christie’s decision will cost New Jersey taxpayers $24 million, by one estimate.

Wasting $24 million of taxpayers’ money is bad, but that’s not actually the worst part.

You see, October 16th falls on a Wednesday—not a Tuesday like nearly every other election held in the United States. Holding an election on a Wednesday is bound to confuse many voters, and Governor Christie knows it.

Christie’s move is one of the most brazen attempts to suppress Democratic votes in recent memory. Unfortunately it’s part of a larger effort by Republican governors to make it difficult for Democrats to cast a ballot by limiting early voting, limiting acceptable forms of ID, and changing the rules without warning.

Stand up to Chris Christie and Republican governors. Sign our petition demanding that Republicans stop all attempts at voter suppression.

When New Jersey passed early voting, Governor Christie vetoed the bill, calling it a waste of taxpayer money.

Now Christie is wasting $24 million in taxpayers' money to make sure that as few people as possible vote in both the October special and regular November 2013 general elections, when Christie himself is on the ballot.

The Star-Ledger newspaper called it “a shameless move that will…risk the integrity of the vote.”

Join us and call on Republican governors to stop voter suppression, right now.

I thought I had seen every voter suppression trick in the book, until Governor Christie invented a new one. Let’s show him we see through his bald-faced political power play.

-Corey
Corey Platt
Democratic Governors Association"   ***My Response to him is: 
Hi Corey:

What makes it so bad is that I kinda paid him a compliment - by saying that at least he didn't put a rep-ugh-blican in a Democratic seat. The cost of course is a consideration; the date may be offputting, but we can combat that. I'm more concerned that he at least looks as though he was trying to make it possible for Democrats to elect a replacement. We ought to be smart enough to outsmart him and have someone who can step up and step into that role - regardless of what day of the week it is. Let's rise to the occasion and let him know that we're more than equal to the task - I shudder to think what we'd get if we didn't have a voting date at all.

Besides, he's a rep-ugh-blican, Corey - what do you want? It's as close as you will ever get to equanimity.

If we get our base prepped - we will emerge with someone as good as Lautenberg - and I think, at this point, this is what we need to be concentrating on, as opposed to griping abour Christie and the money. Who do you have in mind that we need to be backing - that's the big question.


STAY BLESSED
Glolria Dulan-Wilson

Petition to NYCHA - CON-ED - Bloomberg - Restore Power Now; Cuomo Offers Jobs to Rebuild New York

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson It should come as no surprise that the Bloomberg administration has taken great care of his Manhattan upper east side cronies, while those in the NYCHA houses continue to go begging. Interesting isn't it how you can see and hear about the continued plight of those in Long Island, while those in our own five boroughs are going largely ignored. https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# While there are threats against LIPA by Governor Cuomo - and indeed, the LIPA President has stepped down - what of the negligence of our brothers and sisters on the part of dear old Con Edison? Where are the threats of contract cancellation by Governor Cuomo against them? And, while we're at it: How does the Transit Authority get to fix its mouth to say they won't extend Metro Cards for those who had paid for theirs, but were without service for a week, and at the same time, have the temerity and the gall to ask for a fare increase???? By the way, who's running the rails these days? Another import from anywhere but here, who never took a train, but is getting a great big salary to continually provide poor service at our expense? My friends and associates, Brother Zach Husser, and my Sister/Soror/Friend, Bea DuPont, recently forwarded this petition to me; and I'm passing it on to you. It's really time we took this to a whole 'nuther level! https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# We now have re-elected our President; Job 1 = COMPLETE. And we did it despite a whole hurricane that threatened to wipe us out, and very nearly did. We even got Bloomie to cancel the New York Marathon, so that the monies and enerigies could be repurposed for those who needed it the most. But we are now going into the third week since the devastation, and it appears that we now have to put the ersatz mayor on notice that New York likewise belongs to the people - all the people - not just the East Side, or the Park Ave/Haves -- but all of us, and we demand our due service restored - immediately, if not sooner! Of course, if in the time this is published, so much the better. However, the fact remains, the least of those (financially speaking, not spiritually) are being neglected. Time to sound off and sign the petition. https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# If this election showed us anything, it showed us how powerful we really are. It showed us that we really do know how to stick together, unify, and get things done. It showed us that we are a power and a force to be reckoned with; that united there is nothing we can't do, and that includes getting the power restored to NYCHA Houses; getting paid for the jobs that are now proliferating to rebuild New York - for indeed they should start right here with us, not some outside entities looking to get paid off our plight. ** (see job info from Sen. Eric Adams, below) We not only can rebuild and repair our homes, we can make them even better than before, because this time we can have an actual say in what gets done, and who does it. Don't let this petition just become a gripe session, where we bash the authorities and point fingers of blame. Yes we were hammered, and the damage is done, and there are those who have responsibilities in the turn around - and right in the middle of that is WE, THE PEOPLE - Black or otherwise. So, complete the petition, pass it on, and also apply for those positions. Let's not get left out of our own self salvation! https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson The letter from Zach and Bea follows: From: Zach Husser, Sr. Date: Tue, Nov 13, 2012 at 4:27 AM Subject: Re: Restore Power to all NYCHA residents -- sign and call We need to go to all of the New York City Housing Developments in Far Rockaway, Coney Island, and Staten Island and help out. We are the ones who will do what is needed. Bring some food, clothing, water, etc. along with YOU. Black People are NEEDED to help Our Sisters and Brothers! This is what WE need to do right now! In the Interest of Doing The Work, Brother Zachary C. Husser, Community Organizer Subject: Restore Power to all NYCHA residents -- sign and call https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# CALL MAYOR BLOOMBERG: THE CITY’S RESPONSE TO OUR NYCHA NEIGHBORS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! Twelve days and counting after Sandy hit on October 29, children, parents, families, the elderly and disabled remain without lights, heat, hot water or power in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). This is true for houses in Gowanus, Red Hook, the Rockaways, Coney Island and elsewhere. John Rhea, the chairman of NYCHA, told The Huffington Post that he and the organization have been doing the best they could. Unfortunately, he said, these buildings happened to be located in the areas hardest hit by the hurricane. Yet, power in those hard hit areas has been restored – just not in NYCHA housing. Mayor Bloomberg has not addressed or remedied the failure of his city’s response. Nor has the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which funds NYCHA in part, sent federal contractors or generators to help coordinate this unacceptable human emergency. Instead, thousands of individual volunteers, and community-organizing and health organizations like Occupy Sandy, Children’s Health Fund, Masbia Soup Kitchen, Red Hook Initiative, Make the Road NY, CAAAV, Doctor’s Without Borders (launching it’s first effort ever within the United States), and numerous religious institutions have tried to fill in where Mayor Bloomberg and NYCHA have failed NYC residents in desperate need. CALL MAYOR BLOOMBERG TODAY: 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675). Tell him the response has been unacceptable. CALL HUD’s NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS TODAY: (202) 708-1112. Tell Secretary Shaun Donovan that their response has been unacceptable. See/Read: Lucas Kavner, For Public Housing Residents After Sandy, ‘A Slow-Motion Katrina’, The Huffington Post, Nov. 9, 2012 Alan Feuer, Where Fema Fell Short, Occupy Sandy Was There, N.Y. Times, Nov. 9, 2012 Greg Smith, A Living Hell in NYCHA Houses: Agency Ignores Blackout Victims Trapped Since Hurricane Sandy, N.Y. Daily News, Nov. 7, 2012 Greg Smith, Housing Authority Scrambling to Restore Power to 11 Developments in Queens and Brooklyn by This Weekend, but Mayor Bloomberg says, “I’m not sure we can make it,” N.Y. Daily News, Nov. 9, 2012 https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# Beatrice DuPont www.ardysslife.com/magicminute Protect Your Health & Thrive Additionally, State Senator, soon to be Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams sent out this alert: From the Desk of NYS Senator Eric Adams: Governor Cuomo Announces Over $27 Million Federal Grant to Hire Workers to Clean Up Communities Impacted by Hurricane Sandy Grant Targets New Yorkers Who Lost Employment Due to Hurricane Sandy or are Unemployed and Not Receiving Unemployment Benefits Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State has received $27,792,296 in federal Disaster National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds. The grant will be used to hire workers who lost their jobs as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy in Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties to help clean up impacted communities. "This federal grant will provide funds to hire much-needed extra workers to help clean up and recover communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy and put unemployed New Yorkers back to work," Governor Cuomo said. "I thank Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis for her quick response to deliver assistance to our state." To be eligible, workers must be unemployed as a result of Hurricane Sandy or unemployed and not receiving unemployment benefits or other types of income support. Workers interested in this program should call 1-888-4-NYSDOL (1-888-469-7365). The New York State Department of Labor will work with local officials to recruit and hire workers. Information will also be available at local Disaster Recovery Centers and One-Stop Career Centers. A list of One-Stop Career Centers can be found on the State Department of Labor's website. Counties eligible for cleanup assistance under this grant are those covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. They include Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties. https://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-bloomberg-nycha-and-hud-restore-power-to-all-nycha-residents# Those of you who can, please donate food, clothing, and yes, shelter, to the brothers and sisters who have been displaced and devastated by this freak of nature. And everyone should be praying daily for the complete and total recovery of neighborhoods, throughout New York, New Jersey and other areas hit. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Twas the Night Before Election 2012

Hello All: Thought I'd inject just a little light humor over a very serious subject. So please indulge me, and enjoy - if you like it, pass it on. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTION 2012 (based loosely on the rhythm & rhyme of Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore) PoeticLicenseTM BY GLORIA DULAN-WILSON (c) NOVEMBER 5, 2012 Twas the night bfore the Election And in every house The people were shouting Keep Obama in the White House!! * He helped us when the economy tanked and we were in despair The Bushes were laughing and didn't give a care * Wall Street was pampered while Main Street was dead Visions of homes, jobs and auto workers were all ripped to shreds * People bought homes that were part of a trap And now were losing them in a mortgage security gap * The first Presidential debate was full of Romney chatter The President seemed quiet, but that didn't matter * The mendacity of Mitt-Twit was salacious and brash Cause he was not for WE THE PEOPLE, just partisan cash * The anger of the people was beginning to grow Cause his on-camera "caring" was all just for show * And what to our wondering eyes did appear But the puppet master strings so blatant and clear * And a conniver named Rove so sneaky and slick That he, the Kochs and Bushes had tried every underhanded trick * They tried to stop votes with bogus I.D. scams to reduce the amout, They own vote counting machines so they can miscount * They lied in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania The media, newspapers, television all carried Romneymania * And he said he'd cut out the 47% and make sure they didn't get one red cent Romneysia is a recurring condition; he lies about lying, with no truth admission * He'd cancel FEMA, PBS, Big Bird, Medicaid & Obamacare Let the the Elders eat vouchers; what does he care? * He'll send all the jobs to cheap Chinese & Latin Americans for hire You think unemployment's high now, he'll make it even higher! * He's torn down more companies than he's ever built He's run businesses into the ground without any guilt * He's running on a record he never attained The UAW is suing him for outrageous profits he obtained * More rapid than eagles Obama's forces they came He counterd aend shouted and made Romney/Ryan look lame * Now Michelle! Now Hillary! Now Eric! Now Clinton!! On Nutter! On Jesse! On Kerry! on Colin and too many to mention * To the top of world respect! to the top of the wall! Now dash away, rep-ughblican delays, job blockages and all! * As dry leaves before hurricane Sandy did fly He and Chris Christie and took to the Jersey sky * So over the submerged houses with FEMA they flew And he made sure Jersey & New York had aid that day before he was through * And there in a twinkling we all saw the proof Romney/Ryan was fallacy - Obama/Biden is truth!!! * As the independents vacillated and waited around Obama's leadership in education, health & foreign affairs still abound * He's clothed in vision & purpose from his head to his foot He's brought the soldiers home and our jobs back to boot! * A bundle of aid for Americans he did not hold back Like the leader he is, he protects us from lack & attack * His eyes, how they twinkle, his smile reassuring His vision is keen, is strength so alluring * He has a strong friendly smile at least a mile wide He looks you in the eye - he has nothing to hide * He has a mellow way of talking He makes you feel calm He takes responsiblity; protects the country from harm * He looks out for women, disenfranchised, the middle class and the poor He's done more in two years than most have done in four * He's taken lemons and given us lemonade He takes responsibility and isn't afraid * When he speaks his words, you know it will work To not vote for Obama, you'd have to be a jerk * He's for All Americans, not just for those The rich, right wing rep-ugh-blicans chose * So as we get up to slay the ones who don't give a whistle Just remember to vote Nov.6, because this will * Be the most important thing you do When you cast your vote for the country & WE, THE PEOPLE - that's YOU!! * So let me exclaim before you turn out the light Re-Elect Barack Obama by Tomorrow Night * STAY BLESSED & ECLECTICALLY AMERICAN Gloria Dulan-Wilson (c) November 5, 2012

Hello All: Thought I'd inject just a little light humor over a very serious subject. So please indulge me, and enjoy - if you like it, pass it on. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTION 2012 (based loosely on the rhythm & rhyme of Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore) PoeticLicenseTM BY GLORIA DULAN-WILSON (c) NOVEMBER 5, 2012 Twas the night bfore the Election And in every house The people were shouting Keep Obama in the White House!! * He helped us when the economy tanked and we were in despair The Bushes were laughing and didn't give a care * Wall Street was pampered while Main Street was dead Visions of homes, jobs and auto workers were all ripped to shreds * People bought homes that were part of a trap And now were losing them in a mortgage security gap * The first Presidential debate was full of Romney chatter The President seemed quiet, but that didn't matter * The mendacity of Mitt-Twit was salacious and brash Cause he was not for WE THE PEOPLE, just partisan cash * The anger of the people was beginning to grow Cause his on-camera "caring" was all just for show * And what to our wondering eyes did appear But the puppet master strings so blatant and clear * And a conniver named Rove so sneaky and slick That he, the Kochs and Bushes had tried every underhanded trick * They tried to stop votes with bogus I.D. scams to reduce the amout, They own vote counting machines so they can miscount * They lied in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania The media, newspapers, television all carried Romneymania * And he said he'd cut out the 47% and make sure they didn't get one red cent Romneysia is a recurring condition; he lies about lying, with no truth admission * He'd cancel FEMA, PBS, Big Bird, Medicaid & Obamacare Let the the Elders eat vouchers; what does he care? * He'll send all the jobs to cheap Chinese & Latin Americans for hire You think unemployment's high now, he'll make it even higher! * He's torn down more companies than he's ever built He's run businesses into the ground without any guilt * He's running on a record he never attained The UAW is suing him for outrageous profits he obtained * More rapid than eagles Obama's forces they came He counterd aend shouted and made Romney/Ryan look lame * Now Michelle! Now Hillary! Now Eric! Now Clinton!! On Nutter! On Jesse! On Kerry! on Colin and too many to mention * To the top of world respect! to the top of the wall! Now dash away, rep-ughblican delays, job blockages and all! * As dry leaves before hurricane Sandy did fly He and Chris Christie and took to the Jersey sky * So over the submerged houses with FEMA they flew And he made sure Jersey & New York had aid that day before he was through * And there in a twinkling we all saw the proof Romney/Ryan was fallacy - Obama/Biden is truth!!! * As the independents vacillated and waited around Obama's leadership in education, health & foreign affairs still abound * He's clothed in vision & purpose from his head to his foot He's brought the soldiers home and our jobs back to boot! * A bundle of aid for Americans he did not hold back Like the leader he is, he protects us from lack & attack * His eyes, how they twinkle, his smile reassuring His vision is keen, is strength so alluring * He has a strong friendly smile at least a mile wide He looks you in the eye - he has nothing to hide * He has a mellow way of talking He makes you feel calm He takes responsiblity; protects the country from harm * He looks out for women, disenfranchised, the middle class and the poor He's done more in two years than most have done in four * He's taken lemons and given us lemonade He takes responsibility and isn't afraid * When he speaks his words, you know it will work To not vote for Obama, you'd have to be a jerk * He's for All Americans, not just for those The rich, right wing rep-ugh-blicans chose * So as we get up to slay the ones who don't give a whistle Just remember to vote Nov.6, because this will * Be the most important thing you do When you cast your vote for the country & WE, THE PEOPLE - that's YOU!! * So let me exclaim before you turn out the light Re-Elect Barack Obama by Tomorrow Night * STAY BLESSED & ECLECTICALLY AMERICAN Gloria Dulan-Wilson (c) November 5, 2012

Twas The Night Before Election 2012

Hello All: Thought I'd inject just a little light humor over a very serious subject. So please indulge me, and enjoy - if you like it, pass it on. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE ELECTION 2012 (based loosely on the rhythm & rhyme of Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore) PoeticLicenseTM BY GLORIA DULAN-WILSON (c) NOVEMBER 5, 2012 Twas the night bfore the Election And in every house The people were shouting Keep Obama in the White House!! * He helped us when the economy tanked and we were in despair The Bushes were laughing and didn't give a care * Wall Street was pampered while Main Street was dead Visions of homes, jobs and auto workers were all ripped to shreds * People bought homes that were part of a trap And now were losing them in a mortgage security gap * The first Presidential debate was full of Romney chatter The President seemed quiet, but that didn't matter * The mendacity of Mitt-Twit was salacious and brash Cause he was not for WE THE PEOPLE, just partisan cash * The anger of the people was beginning to grow Cause his on-camera "caring" was all just for show * And what to our wondering eyes did appear But the puppet master strings so blatant and clear * And a conniver named Rove so sneaky and slick That he, the Kochs and Bushes had tried every underhanded trick * They tried to stop votes with bogus I.D. scams to reduce the amout, They own vote counting machines so they can miscount * They lied in Wisconsin, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania The media, newspapers, television all carried Romneymania * And he said he'd cut out the 47% and make sure they didn't get one red cent Romneysia is a recurring condition; he lies about lying, with no truth admission * He'd cancel FEMA, PBS, Big Bird, Medicaid & Obamacare Let the the Elders eat vouchers; what does he care? * He'll send all the jobs to cheap Chinese & Latin Americans for hire You think unemployment's high now, he'll make it even higher! * He's torn down more companies than he's ever built He's run businesses into the ground without any guilt * He's running on a record he never attained The UAW is suing him for outrageous profits he obtained * More rapid than eagles Obama's forces they came He counterd aend shouted and made Romney/Ryan look lame * Now Michelle! Now Hillary! Now Eric! Now Clinton!! On Nutter! On Jesse! On Kerry! on Colin and too many to mention * To the top of world respect! to the top of the wall! Now dash away, rep-ughblican delays, job blockages and all! * As dry leaves before hurricane Sandy did fly He and Chris Christie and took to the Jersey sky * So over the submerged houses with FEMA they flew And he made sure Jersey & New York had aid that day before he was through * And there in a twinkling we all saw the proof Romney/Ryan was fallacy - Obama/Biden is truth!!! * As the independents vacillated and waited around Obama's leadership in education, health & foreign affairs still abound * He's clothed in vision & purpose from his head to his foot He's brought the soldiers home and our jobs back to boot! * A bundle of aid for Americans he did not hold back Like the leader he is, he protects us from lack & attack * His eyes, how they twinkle, his smile reassuring His vision is keen, is strength so alluring * He has a strong friendly smile at least a mile wide He looks you in the eye - he has nothing to hide * He has a mellow way of talking He makes you feel calm He takes responsiblity; protects the country from harm * He looks out for women, disenfranchised, the middle class and the poor He's done more in two years than most have done in four * He's taken lemons and given us lemonade He takes responsibility and isn't afraid * When he speaks his words, you know it will work To not vote for Obama, you'd have to be a jerk * He's for All Americans, not just for those The rich, right wing rep-ugh-blicans chose * So as we get up to slay the ones who don't give a whistle Just remember to vote Nov.6, because this will * Be the most important thing you do When you cast your vote for the country & WE, THE PEOPLE - that's YOU!! * So let me exclaim before you turn out the light Re-Elect Barack Obama by Tomorrow Night * STAY BLESSED & ECLECTICALLY AMERICAN Gloria Dulan-Wilson (c) November 5, 2012

Open Letter to Governor Cuomo, Cristie and Mayor Bloomberg: Move the Victims of Hurricane Sandy into the Condo Buildings that are Still Standing Vacant

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson URGENT MEMO: From: "gloria dulan-wilson" View contact details To: "Governor Andrew M. Cuomo" Dear Governor Cuomo: I, first of all, want to express my appreciation for your office and you keeping us abreast of the devastation and rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Secondly, I totally appreciate your stance with the utilty companies in terms of a speedy recovery of the electricity and power to those families that have been wrecked by the hurricane. However, I think it safe to say, unless New York is going to use quality prefabricated homes,to replace the ones destroyed; or unless you are going to bring in Ty Pennington from Extreme Home Makeover to coordinate the rebuilding efforts, it will be months -years? - before New Yorkers are restored to their homes. So, I have a suggestion: Prior to his exiting the office as governor, David Patterson, with the help of soon-to-be Congressman, Hakeem Jeffries, had passed a law entitled Project Reclaim. It was directed at reclaiming the overbuilt, and very vacant, condominium buildings in the New York area, and making it possible for those who needed, decent affordable homes, to move in at a considerable discount. Many of these buildings - there were 66 in Brooklyn at the time, and several in the Bronx, Manhattan and other areas - had either not been sold, because they were overpriced, or the because the builder ran out of money. I think this is the most opportune time to get those families out of shelters and move them into those high rise condominiums. Not homeless shelters, or red cross centers, but some where where they can continue to live, breathe and recover from the horror and the trauma they've experienced as the result of a phenomenon they neither controlled, nor had any power over. I am emailing this to you, as well as State Housing Commissioner Darryl Towns, as well as Governor Chris Christie - who likewise has a significant number of properties in New Jersey that might have to serve as either transitional or permanent homes for the victims there as well. I am also posting it on my blog, because it may not reach you directly, depending on who handles your correspondence. Unlike the victims of Katrina, who were shipped from pillar to post because of the devastation of New Orleans, this will, I believe, be a viable alternative to long drawn out processes. Again, I appreciate your keeping me informed, and hope that this recommendation is not only accepted, but put into action, immediately, if not sooner. Stay Blessed, Gloria Dulan-Wilson --- On Tue, 10/30/12, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo wrote:

Take The Voting Machines to the Victims of Hurricane Sandy

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson Hurricane Sandy roared through here on a mission, and with a ferocity never before witnessed on the East Coast, leaving devastation and destruction in his path. New York and New Jersey sustained major damages - physically, mentally and spiritually and the aftermath is still being assessed. President Obama and Governor Chris Christie surveyed the utter destruction of the Jersey Shore. Mayor Bloomberg kept New Yorkers abreast of rescue efforts, transportation delays, and plans for reconstruction over the next days weeks and months. First responders, FEMA, and other organizations tried to make sure those hardest hit had food clothing and shelter. And everybody prayed. And as we continue to clean up after Sandy, grieve over those who have lost their lives, their homes, their loved ones. My condolences to all who were victims of this horrible force of nature. But the 800 pound gorilla in the room is how will the voting be handled come Tuesday, November 6th, 2012? With so many power outtages, so many people displaced, so many people in a state of shock and despair, how will we as a nation, get through this election? This question was posed to me by my best friend, Annie Gee in Philly, who is highly concerned about making sure the victims aren't further victimized by not being able to vote on election day. With the Rep-ugh-blicans already trying to disenfranchise so many of us, will this deter others from voting and give them an ersatz victory? Power outtages have rendered some of the original sites useless. Many of the buildings no longer exist - especially in the hardest hit areas of New Jersey, Staten Island, Far Rockaway , and affected states along the coastline, where Sandy tossed them around, pulling them off their foundations as though they were mere doll houses. John Conklin, New York Board of Elections spokesman, said changes in polling sites are possible.“We don’t know what the changes will be,” Conklin said. “The local boards in the storm areas are assessing their poll sites right now, so they’re looking at whether the poll site has power, whether it could have power by Election Day, whether it’s accessible to the general public — can voters get to it? Can the board get to it and get machines there? And is the building structurally sound?” In listening to the news reports, there seems to be no plan in place to make sure that these sites are replaced. The New York State Board of Elections also announced Thursday that it would extend application and submission deadlines for absentee ballots, and local boards in storm-impacted areas have spent much of the week surveying polling places and considering alternatives for Election Day. They've extended the deadline for voters to apply in person for abseentee ballots to Monday, November 5, and had voted to accept mailed or faxed applications for absentee ballots through Nov. 2, easing the original Oct. 30 deadline. (what?) Rockland County residents, however were unable to get to the post office for the last three days according to Louis Babcock, Republican elections commissioner for Rockland County.The board also extended the deadline to submit the ballots in person by six days, from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19. Ballots returned by mail still must be postmarked Nov. 5 but have until Nov. 19 to reach the local board. For those who can’t vote in person, they may designate another person to submit absentee ballots on their behalf to local boards before polls close Nov. 6. Polls will be open Election Day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. But whether the various boards of elections in the most highly affected states have made preparations and allowances for people already suffering from devastating losses is still unclear. And the real question is, considering the trauma they've experienced, will people even be interested in voting? They need some additional hand holding and encouragement during this period of despair. They've got enough to contend with without having to go running around trying to jump through these latest hoops in order to vote. I think the boards of elections in each state and municipality hit by Sandy can do a lot better. So here are some suggestions that may be helpful in making sure no one's vote goes uncounted: 1) Provide mobile trucks with the voting machines on them at the emergency shelters where people still can't get back to their homes. They can be positioned at the different rescue centers and shelters on election day to provide them with an opportunity to vote. 2) Deliver the absentee ballots for early voting prior to the election day to the various emergency shelter sites, rather than requiring them to travel to postal facilities. And have postal trucks positioned at the sites so they can be mailed out directly from them. 3)Volunteers can organize vans and other modes of mass transportation to and from polling places for victims of Hurricane Sandy. 4) Where there are power outtages, generators can be installed t run the electronic voting machines; and/or paper ballots can be substituted for electronic voting; 5) Volunteers and community based organizations can coordinate with local municipalities and to make sure the election process goes smoothly. Provide those people who have lost their homes with coffee, tea, and other comfort items while they're voting. 6) FEMA and the Red Cross can provide options for voting places and opportunities for victims. 7) Additionally, since there are many who do not have radio or TV contact with the outside world, door knocking, flyers, and other modes of communication and outreach should be developed and put into effect immediately so that they are informed of their options. 8) Since the New York Marathon has been cancelled the equipment and hospitality set up they would have been used for them can be deployed to the various shelters - not just for election day - but for food and comfort stations while people are transitioning back to their homes, or into new homes. 9) This not exhaustive. There's room for more creative ideas. We definitely can't leave things to chance, or to the just bureaucrats. These plans should be put into action immediately, if not sooner. Regardless of your race, ethnicity, gender, or political pursuasion, it's much too important to leave something as important as your vote to the bureaucrats. I'm posting this on my blog: www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com. Regardless of whether you are in any of the effected states or communities, or not, please pass this on, take action and make it happen. We are really all in this together, and can't allow geography or neighborhood divide us. Churches, community action groups, elected officials, need to be about it. Remember "Teamwork makes the dream work!" It will be far worse to have endured this horrible experience and then wake up on November 7th and find out that the aid and assistance you had been promised, and so desperately need, are now in the hands of heartless individuals who care more for the dollar bottom line than your welfare and recovery. Paraphrasing a time honored institution, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF): A VOTE IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE. My prayers and condolences to those who were victimized by this vicious hurricane. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson