Hey.
[stretch]
Feels weird. Hm. Anyway, this here is the end. The real end.
It was a mammoth effort for our front-pagers to keep the site going after November, and I have to give them a ton of credit for it. I’d hoped to find someone to take over this place and keep it running, but due to a number of factors I’ve realized that is simply not going to happen. No one wants a blog that has our legal baggage (and, to be fair, no one should have to deal with that stuff), so the best and wisest course of action is just to shut down.
Sucks, right?
Nah, not even a little. Every ending can be a new beginning, and I know some of you will take this opportunity to start up and contribute to new places for people interested in Connecticut politics to hang out, talk and debate online. That’s what I want you to do. Make videos, write brilliant things, engage one another, create something incredible, change the world already. In due time you’ll forget this place ever existed, and that’s the way it ought to be.
How have I been? Wow, that’s a hell of a thing to wonder. I’ve been nuts, really. Life’s upside down. Glorious, wonderful, amazing, terrifying, depressing, the works. I don’t miss politics, not that much. I’m kind of following along, I suppose. I’d like to see Dan Malloy be our next governor, but that’s just my own personal preference. I like Mary Glassman, too. Really, though, more and more of my life is away from Connecticut, up in western Massachusetts. At some point my compass re-oriented, and now I point north. Everything, and everyone, changes.
Here’s the roll of honor, the people who contributed to this site on the front page:
CGG
Gabe
disgruntled_republican
turfgrrl
Sean
ACR
The True Gentleman
Bobby McGee
Headless Horseman
wtfdnucsailor
Redcoat
ATalbot
Vincent
Saramerica
Heath
If I missed anyone, yell away!
Wednesday is the last day.
And… how the heck are you all? Tell me in the comments. I do miss you.
135 responses so far ↓
GC, You have been missed by everyone. Thank you for starting this blog and all of your efforts. You created a great venue for many of us to express our opinions and even release our frustrations. Good Job and best of luck in your future!
Puffy
You guys have frustrations? I’d never have guessed!
You rock, Puffy, and thanks.
Hey good luck, Chris. You put out a tremendous product and your efforts are appreciated. You deserve better than the legal nonsense you’ve dealt with. I hope we can stay in touch. Don’t be a stranger!
Thanks, Doug. I *am* coming down to Windsor for an open mic night at the Union Street Tavern someday, I just don’t know when!
Oh nuts!
This will leave a more massive void than many might realize in the CT political spectrum as there are countless “lurkers”; far more than one might guess and often people none of us would suspect.
You would be surprised (I have been) by the number of people that have said “How you doin’ ACR?” and more by who has said that.
Apparently every politico in the state stops by here with regularity; though most have never posted a single word.
-Doug Hageman
ACR – Authentic Connecticut Republican
doug@ctgop16.com
Cell: 860 919-8315
Marion, (Southington) CT 06444-0555
http://www.ctgop16.com
Representing the 16th District (Cheshire, Southington, Waterbury & Wolcott)
Connecticut Republican State Central Committee
Yo, Genghis, will you email me your snail mail address?
I want to send you some $$$ towards your legal bills. (I owe CTLP as much, for the years of enjoyment.)
In fact, in the name of bipartisanship, I’ll match the first $500 of ‘winger money, if any of you guys want to help GC out.
ACR – Stay in touch, okay? You’re a class act, my friend.
AndersonScooper – You are an amazingly generous guy. Thank you so much for being here right from the beginning. I’m pretty sure one of the first comments was you telling me how dumb I was being about Joe Lieberman, and you were 100% right.
Genghis (And everyone who’s ever posted or commented on here),
Thank you for your immeasurable contributions to political discourse in Connecticut. I have been a reader and occasional commenter since 2006, and I truly believe participating in this forum played a role in me becoming more actively involved in politics.
Really good non-ideological blogs are few and far between. CTLP was like no other. I can’t help but feel that the 2010 races will be a lot less fun to follow now.
How about one encore post whenever it is the Whalers come home?
-Jim
Chris, you have my sincere gratitude for creating the gold standard for blogging with CTLP. Actually, you set the bar so ridiculously high it’s not even remotely within my reach. Which actually is a good thing, because it gives me an excuse to continue writing the drivel I’ve become known for. Takes the pressure off of me.
So, thanks for that!
Please don’t be a stranger, and I look forward to your inevitable return to blogging. Perhaps next time in a less litigious arena!
“Sic transit Gloria mundi”
GC,
Actually I was months behind CTKeith, (R.I.P), and where did Bluecoat go?
In terms of Lieberman, I was just now talking to a friend about how Susan Bysiewicz is now in the same boat Joe was in.
Sure, Susie can point to her current poll numbers as a sign she’s on solid ground. But she’s not. A huge whisper campaign is being run against her by a big chunk of the Dem Party, and she needs to wake-up to it.
Of course the unanswered questions about her qualifications are going to trickle down and have their eroding effect. It’s too easy a game for folks to play, and the truth that’s on her side is far too complicated. Basically her political career is up in smoke if she doesn’t respond, and in strong and simple terms your average voter can understand. (and no, that’s not a brief from Blumenthal.)
Be warned, Team Bysiewicz, — I’ve talked to twenty or so Dem insiders about the disgust I feel about the current ugly, manufactured controversy. And like our own Bruce Rubenstein, a good half of them are saying “good, she deserves it.” (she doesn’t, btw. At least not by these means.)
More telling is not one I’ve spoken to has stood up and told me how great a Democrat she is, how we can’t afford to lose her, how awesome it would be to see her as our next U.S. Senator, etc.
Bottom line it’s blood in the water, the sharks are circling, and Susie thinks she’s safe as long as she treading water but not drowning….
Much love to all things CTLP, especially Genghis. Thank you for letting me be a part of this site. And thank you for remaining my friend.
Scooper….I dont think that she deserves it.I just think that she is thinking of herself first and us and the party second.If a Republican won for Governor and she loses in Court,then the Republican Governor would undoubtedly select a Republican for AG….she is playing russian roulette with the AG’s office which has been safely in our hands for about 50 years.
Good luck Chris in your future endeavors,it was my honor to have had breakfast with you and disgruntled republican some time ago.This blog rocks because of people like yourself.
Jim,
If the Whale comes back I’ll blog all day and all night! And thank you.
Bob,
You should never underestimate yourself! I always wished I could be more like you, and I hope you keep doing the work you do so well!
Thank you, CGG, and it’s always been my honor to work with you, and to have you as a friend. I’ll email you tomorrow.
Thanks, Bruce! It was great to meet you, and I always enjoyed your commentary here.
Bruce, leaving politics aside, — as a lawyer, would you do me the favor of defining “active practice”? Also, are you really saying that you think said 10yr statute is constitutional?
I’m not necessarily a huge Bysie backer, (I do think she’s done a good job as SotS), but maybe the greater risk is that you guys beat her up enough to the point where O’Connor, or the equivalent, jumps in and steals the seat?
Anyway, do you want to bet on the outcome, were it to go to court? I’ll give you 2-to-1 odds, and you know I a) still love you man, and b) am good for the payout.
Chris,
You have not only done an extraordinary job but have had an extraordinary impact.
Chris,
It’s been an honor and a pleasure to work with you and I hope all the legal mishegas is over soon so you can truly move on. (BTW, Scoop, I’ll email you re: my donation to the Ghengis Legal Debt Retirement Fund)
This election season will be much less fun without the free and wide ranging discussions about candidates and issues that take place on this site.
One door closes – another door opens. Wishing you all the best and stay in touch!
Chris,
Best wishes in your future endeavors. It sucks that our first amendment rights are so battered that you can’t play unless you have the $$ to pay (lawyers).
Chris,
You left the place better than you found it and I hope you had some fun along the way. I’ll bundle my contribution with Anderson Scoopers so we can help you get the legal monkey off your back. Stay in touch.
Thank you GC… and I’m guessing most here will agree with me… if you’re ever applying for a job (particularly one that requires creativity, thoughtful analysis, writing and the ever-sought-after cartographic skills)… don’t be a stranger. I’d recommend you!
And I can relate to your retirement. I started one year after you and just crossed the four year mark. It certainly is difficult to maintain the daily content updates. Not sure how much longer I’ll continue… or how much longer I want to continue.
And thanks to all the other front-pagers.
As one of the many “lurkers” that ACR mentioned earlier, I want to add my voice to the chorus of thanks for all this site has provided me over the last few years. The posts by the front page crew were always insightful, even if sometimes slanted. The debates were intense and (mostly) respectful, and we all seemed to have fun. Good luck in the future to all of you.
GC,
Thank you for all your hard work, and I’m very sorry to see the site go. The world of mapping will never be the same.
I’m not really certain what your remaining legal issues are about, but I’m sure if you, say, created a Paypal or other public way to contribute, many folks would be glad to pitch in, and you might find a few more volunteer lawyers. We at least owe that to you.
Genghis,
I read this blog long before I recently started commenting. Thank you for your contributions. It is a tribute to the dialogue here that after following it for so long I finally felt compelled to finally participate (I would have preferred not to have to do it anonymously. I am a lawyer, and because of my position I am forced to comment anonymously. Hopefully Fuzzy can find a new place to rant against the system and challenge conventional wisdom). It really is a crying shame that this blog will not be up during what will surely be one of the most interesting years in Connecticut politics in the last twenty years.
Heath and Saramerica: You both had some big shoes to fill and did a fine job. Good luck at CTNewsjunkie. I would also add that, for my money, it looks like the Mirror is doing some of the most interesting political reporting in the state right now and hopefully will continue to do so. I can’t state in strong enough terms how important it is for citizens and politicians alike to challenge the status quo.
Anderson: That’s been the fairest assessment of SB’s political posture that I’ve seen from you. Surprisingly, you’re a little more interesting when you’re not being blindly partisan. As a final note, I still disagree with you that she is unambiguously qualified under the statute, but am almost certain that the statute itself is unconstitutional. I’m just not sure this is an argument she will ever want to make (the constitutional argument), as it impliedly concedes that she has less than 10 years of active practice.
PS: Genghis, what exactly are these legal problems (I’m assuming they’re related to the site)?
Good night, and good luck…
on the bright side, we now have two good online state-level papers (CTNJ & Mirror) and a statewide content aggregator (CTCapRep). So things are looking up in CT.
Thanks again GC! And thanks to the Mrs. for loaning you to us!
Fuzzy… even when I disagree with him… I still recognize that Scoop is one of the best political minds in CT. Not quite sure why he’s not making a living at it.
Sorry to see the land of the Connecticut political maps go… One of your best contributions during and after the elections, IMHO, aside from from your unique perspective on the issues.
A quick thank you to GC and all the contributors. This site was always one of the first stops in morning for me. Thanks again.
Thank you Chris for your hard work and perseverance.
As I have stated here before, in 2006/7 I used Connecticut Local Politics as a training tool for Politicians and their handlers so they would know what blogs were and could be.
And who doesn’t love a map?
Anderson Scooper will collect my contribution towards the legal fund. Unfortunately, I don’t think that meets the criteria for The Wingers Matching Grant. He means Right Wing.
Chris, thanks for making me a front-pager, and also for hosting such a wonderful group of dedicated knuckelheads, who take their politics seriously and themselves with a grain of salt. I will miss all of you.
This really was my first stop from the day I discovered it, and I learned from many a Hartforder that they visited every single day without fail. A void indeed.
I do want you to know I may be starting a blog soon, hopefully about CT politics but not about lawsuits (I’m not a huge fans of lawyers, though Bruce Rubenstein is a cool guy.)
Send me an e-mail for contact at vgct07@gmail.com if you wish to hear more when the blog launches. I’ll need a couple of Scoopers to make it interesting!
Chris, I wish you well in the wonderful world of education, and if I ever launch this thing, I’d like you to make the honorary first post. You’ve been great. Thanks again.
Chris -
You are wrong – I think many of us will never forget this place ever existed.
In fact, I’d like to keep its spirit alive by inviting all active participants here to join me as authors on the blog Connecticut Political Reporter:
http://connecticutpoliticalreporter.blogspot.com/
Just e-mail me and I’ll add you – and let’s keep blogging together.
jdk@queueinc.com
Thanks for keeping this up for so long. CTLP has played an import role in my life, allowing me to stay connected with what was going on back home while I was in Ireland and down in DC. Hopefully we can have another happy hour to give the place a proper send off.
Thanks GC for providing a forum where Latte-drinking Liberals and raw meat-eating Conservatives can discuss politics is a more or less civil environment.
Thanks GC,
Sorry to see this. I just added my first post yesterday after taking a posting break myself from this site for a few months.
What I think I have learned more than anything else from this site is that it seems to me more of us agree with each other far more than what it would seem partisan politics allows us to admit, and I would have guessed.
I guess the good news there is if we can somehow learn to listen to each other we can still make huge progress in this state, and country. I guess the bad news there is, this is the same message Bruce and I (figuratively) were screaming at each other from opposite sides of the SDS line in New Haven back in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The Dylan line, “When we will ever learn”, comes to mind.
Anyway GC good luck, and thanks for the chance this site you created gave me to open my mind to other ideas beyond just my own.
If your ever planning a trip out west to Yellowstone, or the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, drop me an e-mail first. I’ll be very happy to pick you up at our airport in Jackson Hole, and drive you straight to the Cowboy Bar for a few drinks.
You maybe surprised that all of us in Wyoming don’t have gun racks in the back of our cars
…….
All The Best, Al
It’s been fun participating on this blog, have learned a lot, and enjoyed my discussions with everyone. Good luck, Genghis!
Chris,
Your magnanimity – large heartedness, the most precious of all the virtues – will go marching on in our memories. We are all orphans now.
Good luck Chris! Thanks for building this community of political junkies and setting the bar for how to keep the dialog of political debate alive and visible. I appreciated my time here, and hope that we all cary the spirit of CTLP in all that we do elsewhere.
Jackie Lightfield
Mike,
Here is a write up on the pending case. It looks like Chris became a casualty in a lawyerly shoot out in Derby. See case #3 Luneau v Hughes: http://valley.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/derby_defamation_lawsuit_withdrawn/
As usual, the small guy who couldn’t afford to lawyer-up got a hobnailed boot in the mouth.
Chris – It was an honor to be a small front page poster on CTLOCALPOLITICS. I truly enjoyed the fact that both sides of the political spectrum could take on an issue in a respectful manner even when we disagreed and could only agree to disagree. You set the standard. I hope we can find another spot to continue this discussion since the 2010 election promises to be a riviting event. Good luck in all your endeavors.
I am also very thankful to you for sponsoring the Town blogs that gave me the start in the blogosphere.
I also think that Dan Malloy should be the next governor. It remains to be seen if he is able to succeed this time.
Thanks for the memories.
Bill Sheehan
sheehanjw@sbcglobal.net
Blumenthal will be offering his opinion on Susie B in an hour.
As good as any issue to close the doors on I guess.
I predict he follows the Maryland AGs and Superior Court’s decision as precedent.
Thanks to all for participating. I enjoy the read in the cold weather.
Scooper….you know that I always admire you and your pursuit of your ideals….I am not sure if the statute is consitutional and I do not pertend to know what ” active practice” means in 2010.As you know the statute was drafted in an era unlike ours now, and I think that if SB doesn’t go back to the SOTS race and she wins the AG’s office,the issue will eventually be decided in the Ct Supreme Court.She certainly has a self induced major wound when for the years 2006,2007 and 2008 she signed the security form as not actively engaging in the active practice of law.I just wish that she would consider the party and people first and herself second here otherwise she is playing russian roulette with the AG’s office.
CTLP has been a daily stop for me and the best source of local government news as well as intelligent discussion that dissects the slanted assertions from the National Parties.
I’ll definitely miss this.
Chris
I suspected that this day would soon come after your retirement, and it is a sad day. But at the same time, your efforts changed lives, and opened some doors we never thought we would see.
Thank you, and my main question is – will the archive of this site stay online? If not, do you need hosting? This is a valuable snapshot of Connecticut history, and should not disappear into the ether void…
Thanks again, GC.
Peace,
Ken Krayeske
Thanks GC. And everyone else here that made this site so great.
As for Blumenthal’s decision – that was a real slap in the face to Bysiewicz. He could have just said let the court decide, but he killed her on the way out.
Scooper – If you are looking for a definition of “active practice”, read the CT Supreme Court case “In Re Dodd” regarding Tom Dodd’s attmept to be admitted to the bar in CT without exam. It, and several other cases of its ilk, look VERY unfavorably on trying to pass off governmental administerial duties as the practice of law. I’m sure Susan and her crack staff of lawyers will review this decision carefully before she leaps.
And Bruce – How can she expect to crawl back to the SOTS race now? Her good friends in the Dem party who have so staunchly backed her publicly during this time of trouble, are out to finish the job and rid themselves of her forever. Payback for Scalletar! And she ditched the public financing in her AG race, how can she either go back and take it in a SOTS run OR run for the chief election official office and NOT opt into public financing? This has been the worst political decision in CT since John Rowland decided he needed a hottub on Bantam Lake.
What a sad day indeed.
Thank you for having allowed me to be a frontpager and to enjoy a slice of the fun you baked up for us all.
This site ensured that the debate flew to every politico in need like a sausage skin inflated on the wind. I saulte all of you who had a part in this fine experiment.
That said, archiving seems a bit much. The screed witnessed here is hardly the Federalist Papers. It is time to move forward and move on while we remember the fun we had here.
News Junk will not replace this site… the comments are moderated and it prevents streamlined discussion. Perhaps another site will rise in its place.
In any event, the hurricane-force flatulent winds of adversity will exit this house, to stink up other portions of cyber space. So Mode It Be.
Says here so checked the “not active” box on her annual filing. Coupled with her own contradictory statement I’d say she has a political problem.
Correction Says here she checked the “not active” box on her annual filing. Coupled with her own contradictory statement I’d say she has a political problem.
I suppose I cannot pass up what may be the final opportunity to beat on a deserving liberal on this site.
Susan Byseiwicz has truly detonated a dog shit grenade in her own face. And it is spectacular! Mua ha ha ha ha!
Really. Let’s consider the ineptness here from someone who wants to be our chief legal force in the state… she can’t read, understand or comply with state constitutional law.
She filed a friend of the court brief supporting campaign finance law one day late and was therefore rejecte dby the court.
She is so incompetent that when she filed what she claims was incorrect statements that she doesn’t practice law she paid the full price on two of those three years anyway.
She is totally unfit for this office and I expect the court will tell her she doesn’t even have the credentials.
Even if somehow she is permitted to continue this folly, do we not have higher standards for this office than someone who could make this many massive procedural and tactical errors in such a short time?
She has worn her naked ambition like a sewage-soaked leotard. Time for her to get the political firehose.
No, she didn’t pay the fee, we did.
Genghis:
Thank you so very much for all the years you put into this site. In my admittedly limited experience of political blogging, there’s never been a locally focused, center-oriented place like this, and certainly never been one that fostered a real sense of community the way CTLP did.
You are a true Connecticut hero.
Thanks to all the other front-pagers, too.
And to the commenters here, including the ones I’ve enjoyed sparring with — especially looking at you, Ed & Bruce — I wish you all the best.*
—
*Good wishes do not apply to DonkeyDonk.
There’s a small chance I have the distinction of being the last person to register an account here. Just did so last week. So I came late to commenting, but have been a reader since moving to CT in 2007.
This blog was a fantastic resource for anyone who sought to educate themselves about CT politics. I always clicked through to the comments here, which is not something I do on too many blogs. I really enjoyed the back-and-forth among the usual suspects.
What a damn shame. GL to GK and cheers to all of you who made it interesting around here.
Blumenthal’s opinion available here:
http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?a=1770&Q=455118
Looks like I was very wrong about the constitutionality of the 10yr statute, and I must apologize to all, particularly those I lambasted, like BR. (it’s still a legal question, but Blumenthal’s reasoning would be tough to defeat.)
Will Susie B. take this to court? How quick could a ruling be made? (before the Dem convention?) And would she prevail?
PS — c’mon guys. I wasn’t kidding about matching donations to Ghengis’ legal fund. Cough up the spare $50 or $100. Or do you want me to keep my $$$.
First, I hope all commentators can write their screennames on their name badges at political events this year. I only know most of you from online! I do hope we can meet in person someday.
Chris,
I was attracted to this site because of my own cartographic curiosity. The commentary, depth, and analysis was even more intriguing though as it was for the rest of us. At the same time, I knew that much of what was posted had to be taken with a grain of salt, which was what made this site a success. It was a collaboration that bridged the gap between the parties that the populace longs for.
This blog prompted me to start my own, the Wolcott Whisper. http://www.wolcottwhisper.wordpress.com .
I hope that if you can resurect this blog, that it can be done. Or someone can facilitate it in anyway. My prayers are with you on the legal issues.
So CTLP ends on a positive note — Scooper admits he was wrong. Of course, he continues his liberal ways by trying to guilt others out of $$. A conservative would just send Genghis the money.
Scooper…no harm done…I think now that SB’s race for AG is very “toxic” and even if she crawls back to running for SOS she will find it difficult to beat Merill,Harris etal..though if she decides to do this in the next couple of days there will be a certain sympathy factor going for her…after that there will be no sympathy for her if she prolongs this toxic race of hers.
Redfive…i have enjoyed the sparring…cheers…
To all the active democrats and yes republicans also…ive enjoyed the repartee of this blog and meetings of such fine gentlemen as Don and ACR….be well of you and god speed you in your future endeavors…
Scooper,
As soon as Susie B is ballot eligible a suit can be filed against the State to challenge her qualifications. A suit would seek to keep her name off the ballot. It’s really not unlike challenging legal signatures for a petitioning candidate.
The suit would be filed against Bysiewicz in her role as Commissioner of Elections.
The 64-penny question: would Susie’s fellow Democrats running for AG file the suit or dilly dally while the GOP times the emergency filing to it’s advantage?
It was here that I was first blog bit. It was here that I found a place to scream at instead of the wall. It was here that I found most sides of most political stories. This was my first stop, often my only stop, and it would appear my last stop. Good luck and Mass. will be better for it.
And Bruce, the formal Blumenthal decision defines ‘ripeness’ as most likely meaning securing the nomination (ballot eligible).
http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?a=1770&Q=455118
I’m a creature of habit and this one will be hard to get over. I’ve always appreciated that this site remained mostly about Connecticut with relatively few irrelevant asides. That it was more thoughtful than not. More civil than not and more fun than not. Wherever online we might gather in the future, I hope we bring those characteristics with us. They are becoming increasingly hard to find.
Thanks GC.
Goatboy…her race is now so toxic that I think she has no choice but to crawl back to running for secretary of state where she will face stiff competition from Denise Merrill,John Harris and others. The party has an institutional interest in encouraging her not to prolong this fiasco any longer and the toxicity level of her race might well infect any big race which the democrat is locked in a close race with the republican.
Goatboy… I’m fairly certain that in order to challenge this in court, she would first need to not allow herself on the ballot. Otherwise, she has not suffered an “injury” and therefore does not have standing to challenge the constitutionality of the statute.
As an aside, I would be interested to see what her poll numbers look like after this. I’m certain the establishment will start distancing itself, however this issue seems too complicated and uninteresting to gain traction with the general public yet. My guess is that SB waits until new poll numbers come out to make her next move.
Is there really no chance this site can stay up past tomorrow? This issue in particular has been a hoot to debate in the comments, and I’m beside myself that the clock is ticking. Does anyone have any recommendations for what other blog has the best comments section?
Also, Kevin Rennie reported that Tanya Meck has left Bysiewicz’s campaign (he writes “Add to all this the departure of Bysiewicz campaign spokeswoman Tanya Meck and the secretary of the state’s month of disasters is looking catastrophic”). That’s the first I’ve heard of Bysiewicz losing her spokeswoman. Does anyone else know anything about this?
The smart move for Susie is less obvious, but you heard it here first!
Think about it Bruce…..
First time caller, long time listener…
Genghis, I don’t know what I’m going to do without ctlocalpolitics. Over the course of the last four or five years, I’ve read the site almost every day – it has become my primary source for information on breaking stories in the topsy-turvey world of Connecticut politics. With today’s annoucement, I feel like I’m losing a family member – sure, a family member that occassionally says really awful things about me, but a family member nonetheless!
I’ve enjoyed all the front page posters and regular contributers, but through it all, it has been Genghis that has made this site exceptional. I hope there comes a time, Chris, when you reorient yourself southward again. Connecticut will miss this site, but it will miss more your love of politics, and your unique ability to combine political acuity, even-handedness, and appreciation for the occassional absurdity of government-at-work.
But this site disappears with the knowledge that is has given a voice to hundreds of Connecitcut voters who had no voice, and has provided the impetus for the arrival of dozens of other political sites that have been inspired by it.
Congrats on a spectacularly great run, ctlocalpolitics.
Chris Murphy
In many states any elector can challenge the residency requirements of a ballot candidate (is there a formal word for someone that has secured a spot on the ballot?).
FWIW Obama’s residency was challenged here in CT and went through the usual channels (SOTS, etc) in 2008 and all the way to the State Supreme Court before the election. It was taken seriously as a challenge to remove Obama from the ballot by a CT citizen and eligible elector.
Wow. Smurf. Really?
“Contributers”? “Turvey”? “Occassional”? “Connecitcut”?
You’re every bit the mental midget we’ve always thought you were …
RedFive,
Pardon me for quoting myself but…
“More thoughtful than not. More civil than not…Wherever online we might gather in the future, I hope we bring those characteristics with us. They are becoming increasingly hard to find.”
Thanks for proving my point.
Had to log in again – this place keeps throwing me off. Anyway, I clicked on the ‘remember me’ box –
Not for me, so much as for you.
CGG, Gabe, Sara, Heath – some I’ve met, some not.
I’ll sure remember you all – as will many others. Thanks for all you’ve done for a community.
Thank you very much for all the hard work on this site over the years. I didn’t really give a rat’s ass about local politics until I stumbled across this blog. You converted me! Good luck with everything, including the crummy lawsuit.
Do you have a PayPal account?
Headless – what’s happened to your site?
I can’t get in.
“So Mode It Be”
Correct; and we have 2 more we expect to be sending your way this November.
>>“Contributers”? “Turvey”? “Occassional”? “Connecitcut”?
You missed “annoucement”
Guaranteed Murphy was on his BlackBerry or iPhone.
If you’re on a desktop or laptop, and you know how to type, you’re looking at the screen full time, and catching every mistake.
On a cell phone, particulary the iPhone, you’ve got to look at the keyboard, and of course the display never shows your full comment, so reviewing what you wrote is very time consuming.
fwiw.
PS– Can’t wait for my iPad!
Hey Ghengis,
Just mailed you the full amount, even though these ‘wingers have demonstrated so little charity.
And absolutely awesome that Senator Murphy popped in to thank you….
>>Guaranteed Murphy was on his BlackBerry or iPhone.
My Windows based Palm 700 has a spell check; besides who said that was the real Chris Murphy and not some impostor?
[sigh]
Thanks Genghis, for everything. I enjoyed every second (yes, even deleting 10 of the same angry spam posts from Mr. X every 20 minutes for a month) of my association with you and with CTLP. I fear I got way more out of it than I put back in. Thank you for the opportunity.
And I made really good friends!
Fuzzy, that was kind of a low blow by Rennie. Tanya Meck is leaving for another job and that’s been the plan for awhile. She’s staying on as a consultant to the campaign.
And, yes, let me join the amen chorus in praise for Genghis.
Sorry for the typos, Genghis…was typing quickly as I headed out the door for votes. But it’s no imposter. Glad to see all the praise for you and the site…happy to add my voice.
Well Hell.
Now I really am Grumpy.
There’s really only one thing left to say.
“Orchulli!!!!!”
I discovered this blog five years ago in an internet cafe in Hanoi. I’ve visited it almost every day since then.
I’m glad the blog is shutting down on a high note. Thank you, GC for all of your hard work and passion.
You are a patriot and a class act GC. You will be missed – daily.
hahahaha!!!
And Murph stopped by? That’s great. And since you’re around… thank you for cosponsoring Audit the Fed. And please fight the banksters… Geithner, Paulson… the whole gang needs to be put in front of a grand jury, just like Rove and Scooter Libby. That’s the only way we’ll ever get to the bottom of this stuff.
Well, here in Sudingdon we think when we get up and can no longer check what the politicos are sayin’ it’s gonna be a Big-a-low for us.
Chris – the last post should be the one I spoke to you about this morning.
The site is under a constant assault from morons trying one cheap stunt after another to silence the political blogesphere.
Lord knows every politico in the state stops by here, surely one of them has some idea as to how to squash those with the big egos that are creating the problem.
Chris and all of you folks that made this blog a must read, thank you being entertaining and thought provoking. Politics is about people and reading you all was a treat. Chris, thanks for giving so much of your time and talent!
For those of you who may need it, my cell is 203-510-3175.
Paul Vance
Bruce, lunch?
ACR
The site is under a constant assault from morons trying one cheap stunt after another to silence the political blogesphere
That begs some explanation outside of the ongoing Hillbillies versus the McCoys lawsuit.
Paul…give me a call at 860-527-9611
Congressman Murphy…thank you for stoping by and thank you for all the good work that you do for us in Congress.
Thank you, thank you everyone!!!
Let me see:
Jon – Thank you, and I’m glad to see you’re suddenly everywhere! Let’s grab a coffee sometime.
Sarah – I’m thrilled I got a chance to work with you, and to actually even meet you once.
You’re an incredible talent, I look forward to seeing where you’ll turn up next!
Gerardw – Thank you, and much appreciation for all the thoughtful commentary you wrote! Ever think of starting a blog?
Christine – You have the best political news source in the state, and everyone should read it. Thank you for all the support and friendship you’ve given me over the years.
Tim – I was always glad to see your comments here, and I hope you do keep writing. You have an awful lot to contribute. Thank you for everything.
bpb313 – Thanks for lurking, and for commenting!
MikeCT – You’re a great guy, and one of the smartest in the room. Thank you for the kind words, and you owe me nothing.
Fuzzy – Thank you for reading and contributing! I will, I admit, know many good and decent lawyers.
It is going to be a good year, I hope to see your comments elsewhere as it progresses.
Connecticut Man1 – The maps were always a joy to make. Steal what you want, everyone. Maybe that’s something I’ll do again. And thank you for all you do!
NeoConn – Thank you for reading and commenting. Love the name, the more “Conn” puns the better.
tessa – Always good to hear from you! Thank you, I think in 2006-7 we really hit a high point.
Vincent – You did an outstanding job as a front-pager, I was very glad I brought you on board. I hope to see more great stuff from you in the future! Email me when you start that blog, I’ll write you something.
Jonathan – That’s the spirit! Looks like a fun site. Ah, Blogger.
Adam – Thanks!! I’m glad it helped keep you connected to home. I often heard from CT people living all over who said just that, which always made me glad.
Bill Buckley – It wasn’t always civil, but at least we were talking. I figure that counts for something these days. Thanks for reading and participating.
Al – Sorry to ruin your return!
I always enjoyed reading your comments, you strike me as a level-headed, smart guy. I think we do learn and change, it just takes a long, long time.
gmr – You always had great insights, thank you for posting them here! You should start blogging somewhere.
Don – Thank you–coming from you, that means an awful lot. Thanks for everything you posted here, you helped make this place what it was.
Jackie – Where to begin? Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m sorry things ended the way they did between you and I here, it really was my fault. You were a great contributor, and I love reading all the stuff you post on your site. Best of luck to you.
wtfdnucsailor – Thank you, sir, for your contributions here! You covered events more thoroughly than anyone, and I always enjoyed reading what you had to say. Best wishes.
GoatBoy – Poor Susan Bysiewicz, she never should have abandoned the governor’s race! Thank you for reading and commenting here!
keo – Thank you for reading! I’m glad you stopped by often.
Ken – Thank you for giving us so much to write about!! Seriously, though, it’s guys like you who do some of the most difficult things, and I appreciate that. I don’t know about archiving. Archive.org will have it, and I’ll download the files.
Joe Sixpack – Thanks for all of your comments over the years!!
Headless – You made this place a lot more fun. Thank you for everything you did here!
RedFive – Shucks, that seems a bit much! It was only a blog in the end. But thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them a great deal.
David K – I think it was between you and a spammer. Thanks for reading and commenting! Sorry you were a little late to the party.
Wolcottboy – Map lovers unite! Best of luck with your blog (we need more like it), and thanks for all your great insights over the years.
Dempsey Dem – Glad you were able to find an outlet here. Thanks for reading and contributing.
Paul – Thank you, and I hope you do carry that wherever you all end up next.
Rep. Murphy – I really have no words here, except thank you for reading, and for your kind thoughts. It really means a lot to me… I’ll be following your career with great interest!
Sue – Thank you for your comments, and I’m glad you think it’s worth remembering!
Gideon – Glad we were able to convert you! Thanks for the comments!
Gabe – I think you gave a lot more than you realize. Thank you for everything. Let’s have a beer someday soon.
blueper – Thank you for reading! And *blush*
Grumpy – ORCHULLI
Ebpie – I was glad to meet you that one day in Enfield. Would you believe that building is Joe Courtney’s office now? Thanks for all the great comments you made here.
QTransSus – Thank you, that means an awful lot to me. And thanks for all you contributed!
Paul Vance – Some day you and I really ought to get together. Thanks for reading, for contributing, and for keeping in touch!
And thanks to readers and commenters far and wide.
Where did everyone go?
lol.
And with your charity, you ‘wingers have demonstrated why we don’t need the American safety net….
>>Paul Vance – Some day you and I really ought to get together
“Everyone” says he’s a good guy; even all the Republicans in Waterbury where politics is played a little like Rugby.
Tough, but with very specific rules.
I’ve spoken to someone who claimed to be Paul Vance, Jr. on the phone too; and even exchanged an email or two with whoever maintains the mythical Vance’s cyber persona.
However I’ve never actually *seen* this alleged “Paul Vance, Jr.” and am beginning to think he’s everyone in Waterbury’s invisible friend; like Jimmy Stewart’s pal, Harvey.
>>…thank you for stoping by and thank you for all the …
et tu Bruce?
“stoping” ????
GC said:
>><I<I’m sorry things ended the way they did here, it really was my fault.
Chris!
What’s da matter wid you?
You carrying “My Fault” insurance on your car too?
You’ve worked your little fingers to the bone and wound up with the biggest political blog in the state and unintentionally became a bit of a celebrity within both political circles, and more so with the intelligentsia across the political spectrum (while annoying the ultra conservatives occasionally no-end).
Your fault?
Nonsense.
Over-worked librarian meets under-worked lawyer.
While we admire your refusal to whine and fuss; you are in fact a victim of the trouble a few mouth-breathing ignorant scum bags can get into once they learn how to find some sleazy (Or was it Dopey or Sneezie?) under-worked starving lawyer.
ACR – That was a comment meant for Jackie, she knows why. It has nothing to do with the legal crap, which is 100% NOT my fault.
I updated the comment.
So sorry to hear of this decision to close down CT Local Politics.
A big hats off and a thousand thank yous to Chris Bigelow and all the contributing authors for giving so generously of their time and for scribing so many thoughtful, candid, insightful posts. You set the bar high, indeed. You made a difference, and your efforts will be missed.
Thanks again.
Anderson can’t help but fire off a few parting shots even in the last moments of CTLP. What a shame.
About lawyers, let the last word — and Chris’s consolation — be Shakespere’s. Musing on a skull in his hand in a graveyard, Hamlet says,” There’s another: why may not that be the skull of a lawyer? Where be his quiddits now, his quillets, his cases, his tenures, and his tricks? why does he suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel, and will not tell him of his action of battery? Hum! This fellow might be in’s time a great buyer of land, with his statutes, his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines, and the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more, ha?”
Don, that’s why I’ve always liked you. I’d forgotten that bit about the lawyer was even in there, I should read it again.
There’s always a lesson in Hamlet; this one is the pursuit of fame and wealth still gets you to the same place as everyone else in the end.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
Chris,
Ha! Indeed. They got their pound of flesh. But you got the laugh.
May St. Michael spread his wings about you. With him at your back, you don’t need battalions.
I will miss your honesty and courage.
ACR…thank you for catching my spelling error…
Simmons making love to his Tea Bagging buddies on Saturday?
http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/02/rob-simmons-to-attend-a-meetan.html
It’s in Southington, so I guess ACR will be there!
Thank you. I live down in Arlington, VA….and this blog has been my main source for Connecticut news for the past couple of years. Thanks again, for doing a great blog for so many years.
Genghis(Chris),
Good luck wherever you end up.
(How can I find out about the problems you are experiencing, I’m out of the loop on this one)
Visiting this site was a learning experience.
Some very smart people out there.
On a second sad, note, this blog was the major link to my hometown blog, and presumably will be lost too.
This was a great website and will be missed.
And for Scooper, please stop being so jealous of other people’s success. We need to learn from people who are successful and not chop them down all the time. I took a break from responding to posts beause this site can become addicting. I work in the construction industry and I have been spending as much time as possible estimating every project out there.
It is very cut-throat out here now. People are taking jobs for little or no profit just to keep the lights on so to speak. I’m just throwing darts every day. It’s just too insane!
Good luck too all!
ACR, please report on the Simmons Tea Party!!
I have accepted Kantrowitz’s invite to help out at Connecticut Political Reporter, Chris, and I hope enough of us join up to create a similar environment for spirited debate combined with some pointed humor. But I will miss this joint a lot.
Bon voyage e vaya con dios, i tutti.
(That’s three languages! Did anyone mention how smart the people are here?)
>>ACR, please report on the Simmons Tea Party!!
If I get there at all.
Needless to say last week was the worst one my wife is likely to ever have and her dad’s 80th is the same day.
I intend to stop in, but that’s no promise right now.
Markley writes better than I do anyway (and should considering his degree and experience teaching English at the college level) and I’m confident I can cajole him into writing something – I’ve only known him 30 years or so.
I’m a Simmons guy and can’t comprehend why everyone isn’t; there’s little chance that my bias wouldn’t come through considering I think anyone that would vote against Rob is closer to Benedict Arnold than not.
(Not that I have a strong opinion or anything, perish the thought.)
I have trouble understanding how Barry Goldwater’s one time chief of staff can be considered a “RINO” in some circles and assume those that refer to Rob that way would only be satisfied with a candidate more like Joseph Mengle than not.
>>That’s three languages
Very good.
Ask Justin Bernier how many he speaks sometime; the answer’s pretty funny. “Uh…….actually that’s classified information…..”
I guess that’s a lot.
Simmons voted for the Iraq War Resolution.
Has Simmons critcized a penny of military spending yet? No comment on Obama’s spending AFAIK. With record military budgets Obama’s bought silence from the GOP military expenditure toadies.
Then there’s the hair style that makes him look like the racist Afrikaaner in Lethal Weapon II. Believe me, only the GOP digs the hair style.
Doug, that’s pretty rough stuff. My prayers go out to you and your family….
And on a less important note, let me know where you’re moving to? Me, I’m probably heading over to CTNJ. Gotta keep an eye on Heath, you know.
Thanks for this great blog. A couple of Sunday Speak Outs inspired me to blog for Greenwich Time, but this was my favorite. Good luck Chris and everybody else.
Only a few hours left to post I think, yes I’m fairly sure…this is the end.
ACR–
Is GC really going to pull the plug on us?
Last one out please turn off the lights…
ACR, that’s very hard, and my condolences to your wife and the whole family. He’ll be in my prayers.
Good night everyone, as ACR says, this may very well be the end. When we see what happened with ACR’s brother-in-law, we realize that ends such as these (and I mean the end of this blog) are not so hard or sad as what life can really dish out. One time a friend went bankrupt, very large company, many dollars lost. He said, “Hey, buck up, nobody died.” He was right.
The spirit of this blog will live on. ACR, tell your wife we all care. That’s more important than anything else. Thank you Chris — er, Genghis, one last time.
As a certain TV pioneer used to say – “Good night and Good Luck.” “Thanks for the memories, GC.
ACR…my condolances to your wife and your family….Best,Bruce
Thank you everyone – my step-son should never have gone so young; and it’s funny that even though his mother and I didn’t marry until 2002; his dad and I were friends and I remember the day Rich Jr was born.
It rained all day, just like it did a week ago Monday, the day he left.
Anyway, I guess we’re moving over to http://connecticutpoliticalreporter.blogspot.com/
So today’s moving day.
Thanks GC – it’s been a nice ride!
Bruce, want to give Sarah a hand packing those more delicate items?
Thanks.
Adams?
Are you going to do anything besides just standing there with your camera?
You guys notice Gabe with that build like he could bench-press a truck is no where to be found on moving day?
Not one lurker’s shown up for this disaster either. Figures.
Anderson! Pick up the other end of this trunk and give me a hand, we’ll argue later…..got that?
Okay let’s go.
Condolences, ACR, to you and your wife and family.
And here I am on moving day (although I freely admit that had we actually had anything to move physically, I would be busy. Doing something.).
Gabe, thanks. No way in hell does ACR get the last word….
So petty.
You too neither, Scoopy!!
But let my last words be (1) of apology for the unbecoming snarkiness above directed at Congressman Murphy and (2) condolence to ACR. What a terrible loss.
Anderson’s just upset because he threw his back out lifting that trunk earlier today during the move.
Ohmigosh, Schiff’s Q4 is out….. And yes he’s pjushing his luck when it comes to paying taxes.
testing, testing…
.
Go away!
Genghis, I appreciate all of your work. I moved out of state but always felt at home here. I will miss your brains, temperament and maps–
Bruce, I think I learned the most from you. You have a great knowledge of CT history- use it for good only!
I think I had the most fun participating in the Joe-Ned discussions. I will say, I did predict one thing correctly. Putting Joe back into the Senate as an independent, after having Dems like Dodd actively campaign against him, would not be a pretty thing. I never would have guessed that Joe would be blowing a kiss goodbye to Dodd and not the other way around.
Good luck to everyone here. From Canaan to New Canaan. From Milford to New Milford. From New Haven to New London. From West Hartford to East Hartford. From West Haven, to North Haven, to East Haven. From Danbury to Middlebury. From Waterbury to Watertown. May the New England air always be fresh and at your back, be you a red-diaper baby or a right wingnut.
Peace,
The Fattest Guy there Ever Will be in the Middle Seat.
good luck to you fat guy…Best,Bruce
Fat guy, Lieberpuke was always a rat, and never to be trusted. Please don’t blame his McCain/Palin love on those who sought to get rid of him.
Although I understand how you’d expect loyalty from a former Dem V-P candidate….
Chris:
Thanks for inviting me as a town blog contributor (Middletown). You were always very helpful when any technical problems arose. I have enjoyed reading, and occasionally commenting, at this site over the years. You have made a huge contribution to alternative political discourse in Connecticut. I wish you success in whatever future projects you undertake.
John Brush
Chris –
Thanks for being the “first” in CT politics to take the debate into the 21st century. Every day for the past five years has included at least a stop by at CTLP.
Best to you and all you do down the road.
Ave atque vale!
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