World Youth Peace Summit Will Be In Connecticut Next Year; Al Gore, Colin Powell Expected To Attend
Former Vice President Al Gore, , former Secretary of State Colin Powell and thousands of teenagers from around the world will come to Connecticut next summer for the fifth World Scholar-Athlete Games and the first World Youth Peace Summit.
The athletic competition and summit are run by the Institute of International Sport, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit group. Its executive director, West Hartford resident Dan Doyle, spoke at the Capitol Tuesday about the event, which will mark the institute’s 25th anniversary.
In May, will be a peace walk that will start in West Hartford and end in downtown Hartford. The Rev. Desmond Tutu will bless the walk, one of thousands like it that will be held across the world on either May 21 and May 22. The peace walk in Connecticut will be on one of those days but the exact date has not yet been set.
Connecticut smackdown II?
(Paul)
Jim Geraghty reports that Linda McMahon may be planning to run for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut in 2012. Apparently, she will travel to Washington to meet with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn, who tells Roll Call “I sort of suspect she isn’t finished.”
2010 was, in important ways, an ideal year for McMahon’s run. First, it was a wave year for Republicans. Second, her opponent, Richard Blumential, was flawed — he falsely claimed to have served in Vietnam — and not otherwise that impressive. McMahon nonethless lost by 12 points.
One might think, therefore, that McMahon’s prospects for 2012 are not bright. However, if incumbent Joe Lieberman seeks re-election, and if he once again is forced to seek it as an independent, 2012 might turn out to be a much better year for McMahon than 2010 was. For, while I can’t see her getting to 50 percent in Blue Connecticut aginst Lieberman or any other Democrat, I can imagine her getting past 40 percent in a three way race.
Culture wars in Connecticut?
This state isn’t known as a battleground on social issues but a fault line is emerging over abortion.
The Family Institute of Connecticut, which staunchly opposes abortion rights, is publicly tangling with NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut, the state’s leading abortion rights advocacy group.
FIC recently participated in a campaign, dubbed 40 Days for Life, that dispatches volunteers to clinics providing abortion services. The volunteers aim to draw “attention to the evils of abortion” through prayer, fasting, constant vigil and community outreach, according to the group’s website.
But NARAL said some clients at one Hartford reproductive health center continue to be “harassed as they seek health-care services,” according to an email the group sent to its members (and circulated by the Family Institute.)
Anti-abortion protestors have blocked walkways and followed patients while shouting anti-abortion “rhetoric,” NARAL states.
Untrue, according to the FIC.
Connecticut Muslim arrested after buying bulletproof vest, wrote: “It’s a war out here and Satan’s soldiers are on the attack. So we must prepare ourselves!”
Other stories on this made Waheed Islam sound like just another thug — they left out the “Satan’s soldiers” bit, which does suggest that he was something more, or aspired to be.
“FBI: Convicted Felon Caught Buying Body Armor from China,” by Amanda Raus for AP, December 7:
A bulletproof vest from Hong Kong sent the FBI and Homeland Security to the home of a convicted felon on Friday night.
The description on the package sent to Waheed Islam, 43 — also known as Walter Missouri Jr. — said it contained a $ 10 cotton knit vest. However, the package to arrive at 25 Seamen Circle in Manchester held body armor, police said, and Islam’s criminal past prohibits him from buying it.
Islam told authorities he bought the body armor because he was interested in starting up his own bodyguard or security company.
Islam served jail time for violent assaults and robberies, and when he was in jail in 2008, he wrote to another inmate looking to get his hands on it, said authorities.
“It’s a war out here and Satan’s soldiers are on the attack. So we must prepare ourselves!” he wrote, according to an affidavit….
Neighbors were surprised by what happened….
“To hear that FBI is here, quite a bit odd. Homeland Security, even quite a bit odder,” said Jonathan Sanzo, who lives down the street.
Yes, imagine the FBI and Homeland Security being interested in a Muslim who wrote about making war against “Satan’s soldiers” and who bought body armor from China. Very odd.
Was Connecticut Conned?
Republicans and conservatives in Connecticut may be feeling like all their friends are having a big party, but they are not invited.
While most states in the nation, even some in liberal New England, caught the Tea Party/conservative wave, Connecticut citizens sent all of their incumbent Democratic representatives back to Congress.
And, while Republicans did pick up 14 seats in the Connecticut state house and one in the state senate, the General Assembly will continue to be controlled by Democrats, as it has been for decades.
And, now, the only current, major Republican-held position, that of governor, will be filled by a Democrat as well. Six days after the election, Republican gubernatorial candidate, Tom Foley, a wealthy businessman, new to politics, conceded the race to Democratic candidate, Dan Malloy, the mayor of Stamford, following a ballot controversy.
The troubled ordeal of the governor’s race began in the afternoon of election day, when about half of the city of Bridgeport’s polling stations were discovered to be running out of ballots. It was determined that only 21,000 ballots had been ordered for 70,000 registered voters.
The election snafus continued with questionable decisions by Democratic Secretary of State, Susan Bysiewicz, who attempted to remedy the ballot shortage by photocopying blank ballots while waiting for new ones to be printed.
The Hartford Courant story which chronicled the election, indicates that the Malloy team, understanding that the close gubernatorial race could be decided in their favor in heavily Democratic Bridgeport, “arranged an emergency after-hours hearing in Superior Court in Hartford,” in order to file a motion for a court order to keep Bridgeport polls open for an additional two hours in precincts where there had been a ballot shortage. Secretary Bysiewicz joined that motion, while Republican attorneys and the state attorney general’s office opposed it, arguing that the ballot shortage was the consequence of incompetence.
However, at several minutes before 8:00 p.m. closing time for Connecticut’s polls, Judge Mitchell Berger granted the emergency order for the extension of voting hours in Bridgeport.
Following the court order, the mayor of Bridgeport, Democrat William Finch, used the city’s 911 emergency system, in reverse, to inform voters that the polls would remain open for an additional two hours in precincts with ballot shortages.
With the race so close, both candidates were expressing confidence well after midnight and into the net day. Secretary Bysiewicz displayed more of what the Wall Street Journal termed, “bizarre” behavior, by announcing “unofficial” election results: that Malloy had won the race by about 3,100 votes.
Two days after the election, a suspicious bag containing 335 photocopied and filled ballots was discovered in Bridgeport. Meanwhile, a video surfaced, taken by the Republican mayor of Vernon, Connecticut, who served as a poll-watcher in Bridgeport, and who observed people voting without identification, voters receiving more than one ballot, and ballots left unsecured at the polling place.
On Friday after election day, Mayor Finch reported that, in Bridgeport, the count showed Malloy had about 17,000 votes to Foley’s 4,500. However, Foley was not prepared to concede based on yet another unofficial count, and suggested he might seek a judicial review of the results.
On Friday evening, Secretary Bysiewicz’s office made yet another announcement, this one that Malloy had won by 5,637 votes, a margin that would not require a recount. Malloy essentially said the results confirmed what he already knew, but Foley expressed considerable discomfort with the results, and insisted he was not planning to concede until he was “certain that the will of the voters was honored.”
At this point, the Republican candidate was sounding strong and decisive, adjectives that did not necessarily cling to him throughout the campaign. While he had been a couple of points ahead in the polls, he had been criticized for not putting out strong conservative views. Foley often appeared weak and ambiguous, with a few bright spots during debates with Malloy. In his literature, however, he demonstrated clear support of merit pay for teachers, school choice, and the need to confront the union pension problem. By contrast, Malloy had been supported by the powerful unions in the state.
Nevertheless, on Monday, November 8th, Foley delivered a somewhat surprising concession speech that was devoid of doubt about the results. Stating that he did not think he could make up a gap of about 6,000 votes, Foley said, “The election on Tuesday was a conclusive victory for Dan Malloy, and this result should not be questioned.”
Foley said that his team had explored the possibility of asking for a precinct-by-precinct re-canvassing of the vote, but determined that, in the end, it would not change the outcome of the election.
Meanwhile, as Foley was conceding, Chris Healy, chair of the Connecticut GOP, and possible contender for national GOP chair Michael Steele’s position, was referring to the situation in Bridgeport as a “complete farce” and a “circus,” and announcing that his team would be asking federal and state authorities to formally investigate the election- in spite of Foley’s decision.
In his concession speech, Foley stated, “what happened in Bridgeport should be looked into,” but asserted that the rest of the state’s counting seemed “very reliable.”
However, the Republican candidate for Attorney General, Martha Dean, an experienced attorney with a constitutional law background, who had Tea Party support during her campaign, had a different view. On November 11th, in an interview with Dan Lovallo, a local talk show host in the state, Dean, who lost to a Democratic candidate, questioned the results of the election in Connecticut’s other two major cities, Hartford and New Haven. Dean appears poised to investigate her hypothesis that illegal aliens are being given a pass to vote in Connecticut elections.
While Connecticut might be perceived as a “deep blue” state, Peter Raymond cites interesting statistics in an article, in American Thinker, about the questions surrounding the controversial election. In particular, he notes that, in the Bridgeport 2010 election, votes for the Republican gubernatorial candidate plunged by 64% from the ten-year average of Republican votes cast for governor. Even in 2006, the last gubernatorial election, Raymond reports that there were 51% more votes cast for the Republican candidate than this year.
In the wake of the election, it is clear that Governor-elect Dan Malloy is beginning his term amid controversy that is not ending quickly. Public hearings are being held in the city of Bridgeport to determine why the election took the path that it did. A fact that Malloy must also reckon with is that most people in Connecticut did not vote for him. The state actually had three candidates for governor. The third, Tom Marsh, originally elected as a Republican to his local position, announced his candidacy for governor on the Independent ticket in the spring. Marsh received 17,000 votes, enough, had he not triangulated the race, to have given Foley the win, assuming that most of those votes would have gone to the Republican candidate.
Connecticut roller rink defends its policy on headscarves after Muslim woman complains
This incident is yet another attempt to force American businesses to adapt to Sharia mores. Non-Muslims must always change their behavior to accommodate Muslims; it’s never the other way around.
An update on this story. “Connecticut Roller Rink Defends Policy on Headscarves After Muslim Woman Complains,” by Edmund DeMarche for FoxNews.com, November 24:
A roller skating rink in Connecticut is standing behind its decision to ask a Muslim woman to remove her headscarf because it could present a danger to skaters if it fell off.
Marisol Rodriguez-Colon was set to attend her 4-year-old niece’s birthday party at Ron-A-Roll but apparently didn’t make it very far past the check-in counter before she was stopped by a rink employee, who offered her two options: remove her headscarf or wear a helmet over it.
Rodriguez-Colon said she felt “mortified” when an employee at a rink asked her to wear a helmet on top of her religious headscarf, or hijab.
But Jennifer Conde, the operations manager at the Ron-A-Roll, said the rink’s main priority is the safety of its patrons.
“We are not insensitive to people’s religion,” she said. “We just focus on safety.”
In a statement to FoxNews.com, Ron-A-Roll said it has a policy that prohibits headwear to be worn in the building. Safety helmets are offered to those that are unable to remove headwear for any reason, because they are secured with a chin strap….
Ron-A-Roll’s meticulous attention to details, in this case, is troubling to Mongi Dhaouadi, the executive director of the Connecticut office for the Council on American-Islamic Relations[.]
Even Fox makes no mention of the fact that CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas terror funding case. CAIR operatives have repeatedly refused to denounce Hamas and Hizballah as terrorist groups. Several of its former officials have been convicted of various crimes related to jihad terror. Two of its other officials have made Islamic supremacist statements. CAIR also was involved in the Flying Imams’ intimidation suit against the passengers who reported their suspicious behavior.
Dhaouadi said the rink has all but turned a deaf ear when he asked to talk about the matter.
“These were two women who were not allowed in because they wore this headscarf,” he said. “They had absolutely no intention to skate.”…
Then why did they want to come in? Just to provoke this confrontation?
Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, 10 Others Inducted By Gov. M. Jodi Rell Into Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame
Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons and the longtime president of Rockville Bank were among 11 citizens inducted Monday into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell bestowed the honors for the Class of 2010 as each inductee received a commemorative medallion at the state Capitol complex.
“These men and women are truly community heroes,” Rell said in a statement. “They represent the finest values we hope to emulate ourselves - and wish to encourage in our children. They are selfless; they are dedicated; they are courageous, kind and caring. They have served our nation in our armed forces - and for that alone they deserve our eternal gratitude - but this Hall of Fame is designed to recognize those whose service has continued well beyond their years in uniform.”
The Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by Rell, who signed an executive order to honor those who have served in the armed forces. Overall, 51, Connecticut veterans have been inducted, including former Greenwich resident George H.W. Bush, the 41st President; longtime Republican legislator Richard O. Belden of Shelton, and former Gov. William A. O’Neill.
The end of the line for Connecticut for Lieberman?
Add the Connecticut for Lieberman party as one of the losers in last week’s election: the party’s candidate for U.S, Senate, John Mertens, apparently failed to get at least 1 percent of the vote, which would mean the loss of its guaranteed ballot line for the 2012 Senate election.
The party was created in July, 2006, as a backup plan in case Joe Lieberman lost the Democratic nomination to Ned Lamont (which he did, by the way.) But after Lieberman won re-election as an independent, his fiercest critics took control of the party that bears his name.
Mertens, a Trinity College professor, ran on the CFL line but, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of the State’s office, failed to reach the 1 percent threshold in his loss to Democrat Richard Blumenthal.
Filming Of “Thunder In The Deep,” Submarine Thriller, Would Create Hundreds Of Jobs In Connecticut Next Year
The filming of “Thunder In The Deep,” a submarine thriller, would create hundreds of jobs in Connecticut next year, officials said Tuesday.
The production, believed to be one of the largest in state history, would cost an estimated $ 100 million and could create 200 jobs. The precise locations for the filming, which would take about five months, have not yet been announced.
The film will begin production next spring, and the official announcement will be made Wednesday by former House Speaker James Amann and state Sen. Gary LeBeau, the co-chairman of the legislature’s commerce committee. Amann, who dropped out of the race for governor this year, was the chief architect of changing the state law to allow lucrative tax credits to attract production companies to Connecticut.
Since the tax credits were enacted, film crews have produced movies all over the state. An “Indiana Jones” movie brought large crowds to the New Haven Green, while famed actor Robert DeNiro filmed a movie at Curley’s Diner in downtown Stamford. Overall, more than 100 movies and other productions have been filmed in Connecticut since 2006.
“Connecticut was a natural choice for this movie, given its deep history with the submarine industry,” author Joe Buff said in a statement. “Add to that the generous tax credits and the top-notch, local facilities, the production team is thrilled to working in the state.”
Foley concedes in Connecticut
(CNN) – Republican Tom Foley, the Connecticut gubernatorial candidate, has conceded defeat to Democrat Dan Malloy.
Foley Concedes To Malloy In Connecticut
Tom Foley, the Republican gubernatorial nominee in Connecticut, announced Monday afternoon that he is conceding the race to Democrat Dan Malloy.
Foley called the election “a conclusive victory” for Malloy and said the final result “should not be questioned.”
Malloy was declared the winner of the race by Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz (D) and the AP last Friday after much controversy. Bysiewicz’s official count currently has Malloy leading Foley by 5,810 votes, outside the margin needed for an automatic recount.
Foley’s campaign examined the possibility of asking for a precinct-by-precinct re-canvassing of the vote, but determined that it would not ultimately change the outcome of the election. But the Connecticut GOP is asking federal and state authorities to formally look into the matter despite Foley’s decision.
“We’re going to ask the U.S. Attorney to look into it. We’re going to ask the state to look into it,” Connecticut GOP chair Chris Healy said Monday morning. “I’m going to ask the new secretary of the state to look into it.”
The AP had initially called the race for Malloy, but withdrew its call on Wednesday after officials from the city of Bridgeport were slow to report their final tally.
“I think what happened in Bridgeport should be looked in to,” Foley said in Monday’s presser, calling the rest of the state’s counting “very reliable.”
Connecticut Jury Deliberates For 2nd Day in Steven Hayes Home Invasion, Rape, Murder Case
Hey Jury, what are you thinking … PUT HIM TO DEATH!!!
A jury in Connecticut deliberates for a second day in the in the sentencing phase of the Steven Hayes home invasion case and murder case. They are deciding as to whether Hayes will be out to death or spend life in prison. The real question might be what is taking the jury so long?
Convicted Murderer Steven Hayes
A second day? What the hell is this jury thinking?Did this jury not pay attention to the heinous and brutal murders that Steven Haves was convicted of? Honestly, who the hell cares what a paid expert witness psychiatrist said regarding Hayes emotional state? Are you kidding me? The murder shocked the small town and Cheshire, CT as the crime took place in the middle of the night on July 23, 2007 and outraged a country.
Steven Hayes was convicted last month of killing a Cheshire woman and her two daughters in 2007.
Dr. Petit, left, with his daughters Michaela, front, Hayley, center rear, and his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit. His wife and two daughters were killed during a home invasion in Cheshire, CT in 2007.
The New Haven jury weighed Hayes’ sentence for a second day Saturday, at one point asking to hear some of the testimony from a psychiatrist who said Hayes was in an extreme emotional state triggered after another man also charged in the case.
If there was ever a shut and cut case of giving some one a needle, in fact give him two, it would be the Steven Hayes case. This POS was convicted, along with his accomplice Joshua Komisarjevsky, of sexually assaulting and strangling Jennifer Hawke-Petit, pouring gasoline on her two daughters and setting their house on fire.
Take a good read of how the mom and two daughters were raped and murdered and ask yourself when this oiece of grabage should be be put to death.
Authorities said Komisarjevsky spotted the mother and two daughters at a grocery store, followed them home and returned later with Hayes.
They beat the girl’s father (who managed to escape after being tied to a pole in the basement) and forced Hawke-Petit to take out money from a bank before raping and choking her to death.
The men then tied the daughters to a bed, placed pillow covers over their heads and poured gasoline on them before setting the house on fire, authorities added. Both girls died from smoke inhalation, and one of the daughters was sexually assaulted.
BREAKING in Connecticut: Democratic Gov. win
(CNN) - Democrat Dan Malloy has won the Connecticut governor’s race over Republican Tom Foley, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz announced by statement Friday. Malloy’s victory is the first for a Democrat in the state since 1986.
Malloy Should be Victor in Connecticut
After election officials counted ballots through the night, the Hartford Courant reports Dan Malloy (D) appears to have gained enough votes to win the race for Connecticut governor.
Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire
Connecticut Election Descends into Chaos
“The final tallies in Connecticut’s chaotic, mistake-ridden, Florida-style election remained unknown Thursday afternoon because election officials in Bridgeport still have not released their official totals yet,” the Hartford Courant reports.
Without Bridgeport’s results, Tom Foley (R) leads Dan Malloy (D) by 8,409 votes. However, the most recent results in Bridgeport reported by the Associated Press gave Malloy 12,646 more votes in Bridgeport than Foley — meaning that Malloy would become the next governor.
Adding to the intrigue: CT Confidential reports “about what may be an uncounted bag of ballots discovered in Bridgeport.”
Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire
