January 27, 2013

For those of you scratching your head about Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recently announced fundraiser for Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, you are not alone. Yes, Christie openly appreciated the Obama administration’s help after super storm Sandy, and the great job done by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) in supplying assistance that the local community could not provide for itself. And he did blast Republicans in the U.S. House who voted against aid to Sandy victims.

But Christie also gave his full voice to helping elect Mitt Romney for president, in addition to numerous other odious Republican stances. At base, he’s a Republican, pure and simple, and he supports the party’s platform.

All of it.

Which is why Chris Hughes, editor and publisher of the New Republic, and a Facebook founder, does not agree with his former partner, Zuckerberg, on Christie. Hughes is gay, and he and his then boyfriend and now husband were guests at the very first Obama state dinner. Republicans, in case you missed it, aren’t much into being gay, at least not publicly. Here’s Hughes on ABC’s “This Week.”

I, for one, have a lot of questions about Chris Christie, particularly because less than a year ago he vetoed a marriage equality bill in the New Jersey state legislature. Which for me personally, I got married to my husband last June, [it] was just really personally frustrating. I mean, there are tens of thousands of couples in New Jersey that can’t share their love and be recognized under the law because of that decision. I’m not a single issue voter, and I think most people aren’t either, but for me personally, it would raise serious concerns about supporting someone like him.

It does for us all, Chris.

Day: January 27, 2013

Chris Hughes, One of the Four Facebook Founders, Speaks Out on Mark Zuckerberg – Chris Christie Pairing

Rick Scott Bribing Florida Teachers

We’re surprised he didn’t throw in a promise of dark chocolate, red wine and foot massages.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.