Tag: voting

JAN 24, 2014 - Do elections matter? JTMP thinks so, and to prove the point just look at Virginia's 2013 Attorney General election. By 900 people going out and doing their civic duty of voting, thousands of gay Virginians will not get their inalienable civil right to pursue happiness trampled on by a conservative Attorney General. The new progressive Virginia Attorney General, Mark Herring, has announced that he will not defend the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Mark Herring won his election by a mere 907 votes, which shows one not only needs to vote, but also pay attention to your local elections. The Governor often appoints State Supreme Court Justices FOR LIFE, and Attorney Generals can trample all over the rights of gay people if the wrong one is elected. So, JTMP reminds everyone to register to vote, vote in primaries and local elections, and pay attention to these rascals. You would be surprised at how much they influence your life. Read more about Mark Herring's startling announcement on NPR.org here.

DEC 11, 2013 Music played a big role in helping free Madiba and bring down apartheid, and CNN has a nice article up today about his impact on music and pop culture. They mention Steven Van Zandt's song "Sun City" protesting apartheid, where he brought together Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, George Clinton, Run DMC, Miles Davis, Jackson Browne and many more to make the song and video singing, "I ain't gonna play Sun City" urging a boycott of South Africa by all musicians until apartheid was gone. (watch below) Paul Simon released "Graceland" with South African musicians such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo also speaking out against apartheid. The Apollo Theater in Harlem that has had so many great musicians come through it paid tribute to Madiba by displaying on it's marquee sign, "He Changed Our World". 

The Nation has a post up of the Top 10 Songs About Nelson Mandela. Watch Steven Van Zandt's "Sun City" below.

DEC 9, 2013 - JTMP joins the world in celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela, a man who brought civil and voting rights to millions. A man who lived a life of grace and non-violence in spite of the arrests, beatings and the jailings he received because of his activism. He truly moved the whole world, and will be remembered for generations to come. I drove by his statue in front of the South African embassy here in DC the other night, and traffic had to move to one lane for all the people wanting to drop off flowers and stop by and pay their respects. Cars were not honking at each other, and would calmly take turns being nice to each other. To have that effect on DC drivers is nothing short of miraculous. Nelson Mandela has that effect on almost anybody, anywhere. To remind us to live in quiet peace and dignity. We join all who will be mourning and paying respects to this world leader all this week. Vice President Joe Biden released a statement on Nelson Mandela's death on behalf of the White House, along with President Obama; who just left with the First Lady for South Africa to attend the memorial service scheduled tomorrow. South Africa braces for a huge gathering of world leaders to pay last respects for this great man, which will be a massive security and logistical undertaking. (photo: Mandela voting in 1994 elections - credit: Paul Weinberg/CC)

NOV 5, 2013 - 2 important gubernatorial elections will be held today, one in the commonwealth of Virginia and the other in New Jersey. 3 candidates face off in Virginia: Terry McAuliffe for the Democrats, Ken "Forced Ultrasounds" Cuccinelli for the Teabaggers...I mean the Republicans, and the Libertarians are running Robert Jarvis on the ticket. In New Jersey, Chris Christie for the Republicans will face off against the Democrat Barbara Buono. Also, New York City voters head to the polls to pick a new Mayor. Bill de Blasio the Democrat is running against the Republican nominee, Joe Lhota.

JTMP wants to remind our supporters that Governors appoint State Supreme Court Justices, and sometimes that appointment is for life! Many conservatives are using the states to ram through very anti-progressive policies; like getting the government in between a woman and her doctor and require by law he insert a ultrasound device up her vagina in an almost rape. Please pay attention to all elections and offices, especially local. Many progressive policies, like medical marijuana or gay marriage, can be blocked by a Governor and his cohorts he appoints on the State Supreme Court. So, if you live in New Jersey or Virginia, please VOTE!! JTMP urges our supporters to register to vote, keep your registration current, get informed, and vote in primaries and general elections; paying extra close attention to city councils, school boards and others that make decisions that affect your life!

To find your polling place in Virginia go here, to find a polling place in New Jersey go here, and to find your voting location in New York City go here. Please bring ID, voter registration card and anything else you might need to clear the voter suppression hurdles conservatives have put up recently. Don't let anyone stop you from voting!

OCT 15, 2013 JTMP strongly recommends that Americans pay extra close attention to local elections, such as state delegates, state representatives, city council members, board of education members and especially Governorships. Governors in some states appoint state supreme court justices, that serve for life in some instances, that will rule on issues such as forced ultrasounds on women to voting hurdles erected by state politicians. Virginia is one of those states that is very important when it comes to progressive values, and today is the last day to register to vote in Virginia's 2013 Gubernatorial election. JTMP recommends EVERYONE registers to vote, but especially if you live in Virginia please register to vote and take part in democracy; it is not a spectator sport. Register to vote in Virginia HERE, and if you live elsewhere find out how to register to vote HERE. For more information on the candidates running, start at Wikipedia here.