Category: Bob Small

Democrats against Democracy In Pennsylvania

Democrats against Democracy In Pennsylvania

By Bob Small

Every election cycle in Pennsylvania, once the nomination papers are turned in — Aug. 1, this year — the objections begin to the aternative party and independent candidates. How dare they challenged the duopoly!!

This year, we note, the only challenges of this type have come from the Democratic Party.

By Democratic, we mean the Clear Choice PAC

Clear Choice was founded by Pete Kavanaugh, who was deputy manager of the Biden 2020 Campaign. They fear RFK, Jr.,the most it seems

Here is some information about Clear Choice:

FEC Disclosure Form 3X for CLEAR CHOICE PAC, INC

If you still want more email them at info@clearchoicepac.com.

Though the campaign of RFK, Jr filed some 23,000 signatures, most third-party candidates require far more names than the 5,000 needed by the Constitution, Green, and Libertarian parties. This ruling, as we understand it, only applies to those three political parties, not any other political parties nor any independent candidates.

The Clear Choice PAC is filing to block all the candidates for the Constitution Party. However, their Presidential Candidate, Randall Terry, goes around saying “The Democratic Party must be destroyed” so what do you expect.

The Libertarian Party also had their state-wide candidates challenged.

Neither of these parties had any reaction on their websites as of today.

Also being challenged are the American Solidarity Party, The Forward Party founded by Andrew Yang and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Only Jill Stein and the other two Green Party candidates have escaped this year’s onslaught.

Democrats against Democracy

Pondering Different Ways Of Voting

Pondering Different Ways Of Voting

By Bob Small

My friends in the Libertarian Party continue to try to improve the voting process.

Roy Minet seeks to replace plurality voting here. Around the time of our revolution “ French scholars, Jean-Charles de Borda and Nicolas de Condorcet, pointed out some of plurality’s serious problems. A 240-year-long debate ensued.

Roy feels plurality “is a cause of the increasing polarization that is rending the fabric of our society.” We end up electing presidents because they are better then.

“People are sick of having to vote for the “lesser evil,” he said.

He advocates Approve/Approve/Disapprove Voting. One of the main advantages of this is that you can express your disapproval.

He mentions that other forms of voting ; approval voting, condorcet, Instant runoff voting and STAR don’t allow voters to ever express dissatisfaction with a candidate. Would this prevent all the chowderheads and doofuses from running? Probably not, but it might make us voters feel better.

My friend Scott from Vermont sent me an article about hand counting votes in which we learn that over 24 countries use hand count elections.

Including Canada, France, Norway and the UK.

When the German Constitutional Court ruled against using voting machines, they went on to say that the “wide-reaching effect of possible errors of the voting machines or of deliberate electoral fraud make special precautions necessary in order to safeguard the principle of the public nature of elections.” 

In Germany, the ballots are recounted “three times by different people and then once more in total.

This article goes on to say that if a country  that is 14 times the size of Arizona, with 14 times the voter turnout, competently conducts hand count elections and reports preliminary results by the early morning hours, Arizona can achieve the same results “

This article also points out that “public scrutiny and reliable examination of voting machine records are PROHIBITED.”

Unlike in Germany, we are expected to trust the process and are not allowed to audit or question the outcomes. Reminds me of a recent election in Pennsylvania.

Laura Parker, a spokesperson for New Labor (UK) said “ You can’t keep denying millions of people democratic legitimacy and hope they go away”.  Making Britain’s voting system fairer won’t enable parties like Reform – it’s the only way to challenge them

Pondering Different Ways Of Voting

Pondering Different Ways Of Voting

Congressman Massie Co-Hosted Free And Equal Debate 3

Congressman Massie Co-Hosted Free And Equal Debate 3

By Bob Small

While we all expect Donald Trump to be the second President to serve two non-consecutive terms the first being Grover Cleveland –though Teddy Roosevelt should have been the second one — there’s still action along the aternative party front.

The third 2024 Free and Equal Debate was co-hosted by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie Congressman Thomas Massie and Free and Equal co-founder Christina Tobin.

Participants were Libertarian nominee Chase Oliver; Constitution Party nominee Randall Terry; and the presumptive Green Party nominee Jill Stein . The Green Party nominee won’t be officially chosen until its convention, Aug 15-18.

First some observations.

Chase Oliver is a dynamic speaker who believes in his positions. Hopefully, he’ll attain some lesser elected office and we can see how he performs. Jill Stein has some unique insights and continues to carry the green torch. Randall Terry surprised me because he was not the one issue candidate we expected of the co-founder of Operation Rescue. All three had quotable moments,.

“Remove victimless crime” to reduce our prison population, said Oliver. He also pointed out that we have not had a constituionally declared war since World War II, and wondered “How many dead babies is it worth to justify October 7th” concerning Israel.

Ms. Stein said “we need to look at how we are causing immigration in the first place” by supporting regime change

Se also said we have to be on the alert for “anti-First Amendment actions”

Terry repeatedly said that “The Democratic Party must be destroyed.”

He also said that Big Tech and Big Pharma are the new Mafia, and that the Covid lockdown was “a foretaste of Hell.”

He said that Congress should set up “a covid review committee”.

He said that Islamic Sharia law “dwarfs communism in its power to destroy” and that “You can’t improve on Moses or Jesus”

Their next, and presumably final debate, will be in September.

Congressman Massie Co-Hosted Free And Equal Debate 3

Congressman Massie Co-Hosted Free And Equal Debate 3

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

By Bob Small

If we had known the July 22 Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board Meeting would have been so exciting, we would of dropped our normal schedule of watching old westerns.

More than 250 attended. The big item was to announce the hiring of Dr. Sharon Baddick as assistant superintendent. Originally scheduled for the Strath Haven Middle School Library, the meeting had to be moved to the auditorium.

Among the issues the public raised was the failure of negotiations with the union, and the alleged “mistreatment of staff.” Other complaints were issues with the buildings and a general lack of communication.

Much of this has also been discussed on Next Door Swarthmore and other arenas.

In a letter to the Swarthmorean that was read into the meeting’s record, Arianne Allen had five suggestions:

  • A formal, independent evaluation of Dr. Marseille’s performance with emphasis on his ability to create a supportive and collegial work environment.”
  • Designate the District’s top priority to “stopping the bleeding” of the loss of administrators, teachers and staff by setting up meetings to “course correct”.
  • Work with the teacher’s union to approve a contract for the 2024-25 school year.
  • Do the budget and building decisions that are needed for the physical structure.
  • Evaluate the Special Education Team’s needs and help them become successful after their staff departures.

This was also reported in both the Delco Times and Town Talk.

Board Member Wachtman was interrupted by members in the audience” and said they wouldn’t continue “if decorum wasn’t restored”.

We should mention that the nine school board members almost all have a Bachelor’s degree with a number having Masters Degrees. They’re all members Board Members / Overview of a certain class without any “diversity”.

Slightly over a decade ago, four candidates for two seats included “ a police officer, a real estate agent, an investigator and a retired paper company executive. “

Might a return to this type of diversity be helpful? Just saying.

Full disclosure; My Bachelor’s degree, in English, is from Neumann’s night school.

The next meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27 School Board Meeting Calendar

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

School Board Sans Working Class Causing Turmoil In Wallingford Swarthmore

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

By Bob Small

If you were worried that we don’t have enough Socialist Parties in the US, relax. There are 15 listed in this wiki, and they are missing a few that we’re aware of.

Among the oldest still active, is Socialist Party USA (SPUSA) which was founded in 1973 and  “advocates for complete independence from the Democratic Party”.

Civil rights icon Bayard Rustin was a former chairman.

The 2008 Socialist Party candidate for President Brian Moore was very vocal against the idea that Barack Obama was a socialist of any kind.”

There are four elected SPUSA members, three of whom are in Minneapolis.

They have eight issues on their website.

Its presidential candidate William Stodden, and vice-presidential candidate Stephanie Cholensky are members of what some call “the academic-industrial complex.”

Stodden has a Ph.D from Southern Illinois University in political science, and has served on the faculty of Concordia State, North Dakota State, among others.

On their website, under campaign updates; there’s this puzzling statement. “Bill has particular expertise on the 1959 Cuban Revolution and the revolutionary power of condensed milk and sausage.” We will have our local socialist comrades translate this for us.

Stephanie Cholensky has a BS in chemistry from the University of Minnesota, where she currently works.

Their publication is called The Socialist and includes online classes by such socialist luminaries as Bell Hooks and others.

There is a Socialist Party of New Jersey Socialist Party of New Jersey, though not a current one in either Delaware or Pennsylvania. There used to be one, however, and you can read about it here.Socialist Party of Pennsylvania.

Part of the problem Socialist Parties have had, historically, is their tremendous infighting and the spawning of splinter groups like enraged amoebas.

Disclaimer; In my distant (1970’s) past, we remember being on the ousted faction after which “the revolution will now start!”.

Still waiting.

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

Socialist Party USA Has Presidential Candidates

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

By Bob Small

The Southern Poverty Law Center (founded 1971) was an important organization when its primary focus was true hate groups, such as American Nazis and various iterations of the Klan.

We had been contributors until the year I read their current list of “hate groups”. There were numerous groups that did not belong on it.

We stopped our contributions.

According to The Daily Signal, the SPLC is now claiming there are Gay “hate” groups such as Gays Against Groomers.

Tyler O’ Neill describes how the SPLC has become corrupted in Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty

And in Conservative Groups Respond to Being Left Off SPLC Hate … Rabbi Yaakov Menken, who is managing director of the Coalition for Jewish Value woners why his group is off the hate list while Moms for Liberty as they have the same agenda and similar beliefs.

There are almost 80 groups listed for Pennsylvania. Some such as pro-Nazi DNVF records and anti-Israel Antelope Hill Publishing we understand albeit we defend their right to have such opinons.

However, SPLC also includes 18 chapters of Moms for Liberty including the one in Delco.

Moms defines it’s mission as “ dedicated to the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.” Their “resources and issues” section includes recent events. Perhaps, Moms for Liberty is over-reacting to an education system that has wantonly ignored the rights of parents. This does not make them anti-government”.

Also on the hate list is the Constitution Party. This seeks to become part of the government. How can they be anti-government?

Their presidential candidate, Randall Terry, did say, however, throughout the recent Fair and Equal Presidential Debate that “The Democratic Party must be destroyed!

Also, Sheriff Brigades Of Pennsylvania, coordinated by William Taylor Reil is on the list. This group believes in the legal authority of the government, especially those given to Sheriffs. Again, not anti-government, at least not in the meetings I attended.

Though we may have missed it, the RCP (Revolutionary Communist Party) and others seem to have been “left-out” from their list.

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

Has The SPLC Lost Its Mission?

BLM Opposes Kamala Coronation

BLM Opposes Kamala Coronation

By Bob Small

One would expect Black Lives Matter to march lockstep with the Democratic Party and, in most cases, they do.

That’s not the case with Kamala.

BLM is criticizing the “anointing” of Vice President Harris as Democrat’s candidate for president “without a public vote”.

They want a “virtual snap primary” prior to the Democratic Convention.

“This blatant disregard for democratic principles is unacceptable,” it says. “We do not live in a dictatorship. Delegates are not oligarchs.”

BLM leader Shalomyah Bowers says that this is not criticizing her capability to be a leader,“but is an attack on the nominating process”.

Another article says that the current process “ lends credence to critics’ claims that Harris was selected solely because of her race and gender. “

In an official statement, BLM said  “We call for the Rules Committee to create a process that allows for public participation in the nomination process, “ and this may be happening now.

It added “The DNC refused to host debates during the primary, even though a vast majority of Democratic voters wanted them. This would have likely allowed America to see the decline of Joe Biden in 2023.” and “The DNC changed the primary schedule and created rules that made it almost impossible for non-Biden candidates to appear on the ballot.”

BLM also says that “Historically, Black people have been loyal Democratic voters, but time and again, the party has taken our votes for granted “

In another article it was noted that BLM and the GOP agree on this one act and how wrong it appears.

The spokesperson on a recent Democracy Now Program, approving of this process was from Black Voters Matter Black Voters Matter, not BLM, as some have said.

See also BLM slams Democrats for ‘anointing’ Harris.

BLM Opposes Kamala Coronation

Privacy Concerns Aired About Swarthmore Security Cameras

Privacy Concerns Aired About Swarthmore Security Cameras

By Bob Small

In July and August, Swarthmore Borough Council cuts its meetings to once a month from two in July and August.

Due to our 2024 Covid, this post is based on the YouTube feed of council’s July 8 meeting The Swarthmorean article from July 12.

We begin with the Environment Committee. Chairman David Boonin, having realized that both sides had issues with the stalled combustion-powered outdoor maintenance equipment proposal, has embarked on a “listening tour” and has even floated the idea of a referendum. Imagine!. Citizens voting on a policy! I sent him an approving e-mail.

During the Finance Committee segment, Chairman Steve Karp instructed the public to pay with the tan copy of the tax bill, as the green copy is incorrect. Maybe we should increase the pay of our civil servants so they send out the right copies the first time.

Janna Garland of the General Government Committee had the difficult task of justifying the purchase and installation of security cameras in downtown Swarthmore. This is so we can catch the miscreants who vandalized our rainbow crosswalks.

Councilmember Scarlett McCahill spoke for many of us.

“Any potential benefits in public safety are outweighed by the potential challenges to privacy, civil liberty, and the sense of welcome and care we’re trying to create,” she said.

Mayor Marty Spiegel, wondered if those in the public square “have an expectation to privacy”.

It won’t bother me. I’ll just wear my Joe Biden mask.

Ms. McCahill, who chairs the Planning and Zoning Committee approved the use of “permitting campaign offices as a permitted temporary use in the Town Center District.”

Public Safety Chairwoman Kristen Seymore discussed the Swarthmore Fire Department joint request for proposal with the Nether Providence Fire Department. She said if there was a house fire “you really don’t want-per mutual aid, six different fire trucks, with guys who don’t know each other and haven’t worked together, showing up to put out your house fire,”

And Borough Manager Bill Webb explained that three entities wanted council to favor their position in front of the Swarthmore Zoning Hearing Board.

After much discussion, it was agreed that all the would be referred to zoning hearing without council taking a position.

Privacy Concerns Aired About Swarthmore Security Cameras

Going Forth On The 2nd

Going Forth On The 2nd

By Bob Small

John Adams believed, July 2, was the date to be celebrated as “ the great anniversary festival.” This was because July 2 was the date that delegates at the second Continental Congress meeting approved a meeting for independence. It was approved by 12 of the 13 colonies.

The New York delegation had to abstain as they did not have the necessary permission to vote from their state.

From his letter to his wife Abigail written on July 3, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations “

July 4 was the date of the adoption, though not signed, by members of the Continental Congress.

However, not until July 8 did Philadelphia hold a parade and the firing of guns in celebration of the moment.

The Declaration of Independence was not signed by any of the delegates until early August, after  “being engrossed on parchment by Timothy Matlack, a Philadelphia beer bottler who had fine penmanship ”

Fifty-six delegates eventually signed it.

For information on viewing the Declaration of Independence and other documents locally, see Museum of the American Revolution.

Historian Pauline Maier, in her 1997 book, American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence said that in early July 1777 that there had been almost a year since they declared their independence from the British

Maier also said that “arguments over the how to celebrate the Declaration arose between the Federalists (of John Adams) and the Republicans (of Thomas Jefferson) and that the Declaration and its anniversary day weren’t widely celebrated until the Federalists faded away from the political scene after 1812. “

See also, from across the pond: John Adams was right, July 2nd is really America’s …

History, as they say, is “written by the victors” or, in this case, the last on the field.

Will future historians pontificate on the first Trump term versus the second Trump term.?

Going Forth On The 2nd

Going Forth On The 2nd

The Fugitive Goes Home

The Fugitive Goes Home

By Bob Small

This is good Independence Day story. The world’s longest-running real-life fugitive saga is finally over. Journalist Julian Assange left the U.K.’s Belmarsh Prison, June 24, to accept plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disclose classified US national defense documents in the US District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. He was sentenced to time served and granted his freedom.

Thanks to my friend, Carol of Swarthmore, for sending me this Hugo Black quote: “The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

Many world leaders have expressed joy for the decision and praise for Assange.

Anthony Albanese, prime minister of Assange’s Australia stated  “There is nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration and we want him brought home to Australia.”

Prime Minister Lula Da Silva of Brazil, a bit more left than Albanese, said Assange’s  “release and return home, albeit belatedly, represent a democratic victory and the fight for press freedom.”

And there were officials, especially in the US, who were definitely displeased, though.

“Julian Assange endangered the lives of our troops in a time of war and should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said former Vice President Mike Pence.

“Never a ‘journalist.’ Never. He did irreparable harm. He endangered lives,” said former Assistant FBI Director Frank Fibliuzzi.

Trump-era CIA director Mike Pompeo who called Assange’s WikiLeaks a “nonstate hostile intelligence service”

Sheila Assange, who married Assange in prison that the British Labor government would not have extradited Assange if they take over the U.K.’s government on July 5.

And there is a dark lining in the silver cloud.

“The US Dept of Justice still holds the Espionage Act over journalists worldwide,” said John Simpson of the BBC.

“It will still hang over the heads of national security reporters for years to come,” said Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation.

“We all still live under a globe-spanning power structure which has shown the entire world that it will destroy your life if you expose its criminality,” said journalist Caitlin Johnstone.

Luckily, as a local blogger, we don’t worry about . . .

The Fugitive Goes Home

The Fugitive Goes Home