Hey Mark Zuckerberg: Friends Don't Let Friends Veto Equality

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Monday February 11, 2013 · 1:33 PM PST

2013/02/11 · 13:33

If you're on Facebook, you've probably been inundated with all things Papal today. But, if you follow news of Facebook, you might have heard that founder Mark Zuckerberg is hosting a fundraiser for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie this week in California.

Both Zuckerberg and Facebook have made major strides in the past few years, turning the world’s largest social network into a more open and inclusive place for the LGBT community. But guess what? Friends Don't Let Friends Veto Equality. And, that's what Zuckerberg is doing by supporting Christie. So, this afternoon @GSEquality, @BlueJersey, @DFAaction and allies and friends have been using the Twitter hashtag #UnfriendChristie to let Mark Zuckerberg know that's not how friends treat each other.

That's right, the young, hip, tech-savvy billionaire - who famously, publicly, married his wife just last year - is raising money for NJ's anti-equality and anti-(you fill in the blank) governor at his Silicon Valley home on Wednesday. It's the kind of thing you'd expect the technorati to take notice of. (Oh look - here's BuzzFeed doing just that.)

So, how would you like to take a break from news about the Pope to let the Facebook founder know how you feel about his raising money this week for the man who is single-handedly blocking New Jersey from granting me and thousands of others the same freedom to marry he enjoys? The same governor about whose record no progressive - in New Jersey or California should remain silent.

Earlier this month when the news first broke - there was some great pushback against Zuckerberg on Twitter (where #UnfriendChristie briefly trended), on Facebook (where Garden State Equality received historic traffic), in the traditional media (this sweet Wall St. Journal article, and among politicians, with lots of buzz on the Chamber Train Trip. But this week, with the event scheduled for Wednesday, should be even bigger.

And there will be more actions to come all week, leading up to this Saturday's anniversary of Governor Christie's veto of marriage equality. But, today, I hope you'll join @BlueJersey and friends in a Twitter Bomb using the hashtag #UnfriendChristie to let Mark Zuckerberg know: Friends Don't Let Friends Veto Equality.

(Modified from a post this morning on Blue Jersey.)

The NJ Governor's Race Just Became Yours

noweeman

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Saturday July 25, 2009 · 6:35 AM PDT

2009/07/25 · 06:35

NJ Governor Jon Corzine ends speculation today when he announces that he has picked Loretta Weinberg to be his Lieutenant Governor.

This is the woman we've called the Godmother of Progressive New Jersey. The uphill-battler of corruption in politics, particularly where she finds it in her own party. the transparency advocate. The fighter - way out front - on marriage equality.

Congratulations, Senator Weinberg!

Sen. Weinberg was a guest last week on Blue Jersey Radio, talking about the speculation she might be picked. Easily the progressives' choice, there were literally shouts of jubilation in the Garden State when rumors leaked late yesterday that she would be the choice.

noweeman

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Wednesday December 17, 2008 · 12:10 PM PST

2008/12/17 · 12:10

UPDATE #2: As suggested by a number of commenters, you can email Parag Mehta - his email address is: parag.mehta@ptt.gov - with your opinion. He is Obama's LGBT liaison on the transition team. - noweeman

UPDATED: After years of lurking, and just my 15th diary, thanks so much to everyone for getting this to the Rec List. Now if only Obama would read this, and respond - noweeman

Anyone stumble upon this little doozy yet today?

Aretha Franklin and Dr. Rick Warren, an author and leader of the Saddleback Church, are among the select group of people who will participate in Barack Obama's inaugural swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20.

Rick Warren? Are you kidding me?

Why in the name of, well ... God, would Obama choose someone whose outspoken beliefs are substantively no different from the James Dobson's of the world? There's a thriving progressive religious community in every faith, and many believe the religious left is ascendant.

noweeman

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Thursday November 13, 2008 · 10:21 AM PST

2008/11/13 · 10:21

This week on Blue Jersey Radio: We were joined by a very special guest, and New Jersey's newest Democratic Congressman-elect - John Adler, NJ-3. John's was one of the top targeted districts in the country - held by Republicans for over a century - and he shares his insight on the campaign, his goals for Washington, and more. Meet the next great Democratic Congressman from South Jersey: only on Blue Jersey Radio.

And, if you don't have 30 minutes for the whole rip-roarin' show, you can listen to just the Adler interview (13 minutes) courtesy of co-host (and tech advisor) Jason Springer with a visit to Blue Jersey. Enjoy the show!

noweeman

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Wednesday October 22, 2008 · 9:26 AM PDT

2008/10/22 · 09:26

Election Day is going to be nuts this year - and someone needs you. You betcha they do.

Obama needs you, Lautenberg needs you, the person running to represent you in Congress needs you, your local candidates really need you, and the democratic process needs you.

With a record number of voters anticipated to come out on November 4th, every candidate needs more volunteers than ever that day - as many as they can get - to provide visibility for the campaign, to serve as challengers at the polls, to staff the phones to get out the vote, to drive voters to the polls, to go door-to-door to make sure supporters remember it's election day, and to deal with the unexpected things every campaign should expect will happen on election day. They need you.

It's time to ask off work for Tuesday, November 4th. You'll be glad you did.

Poll

68 votes Show Results

Have You Taken Off Work for Election Day Yet?

68 votes Vote Now!

Have You Taken Off Work for Election Day Yet?

Of course - I never work on Election Day

29 votes

Duh - I work in politics (but please - everyone else take off work and help me)

4 votes

Oh right - I keep forgetting - I will, I will!

9 votes

It never occurred to me. I'll do it!

2 votes

Um, work? In this economy?

8 votes

Good luck gang - I cannot get off work that day.

16 votes

Six Chances to Win in New Jersey - Take the Poll

noweeman

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Tuesday October 21, 2008 · 7:22 PM PDT

2008/10/21 · 19:22

The House of Representatives - the People's House - should be the most accountable to voters given that every member must stand for reelection every two years. Yet, despite ridiculously low Congressional approval ratings, incumbents are still expected to be reelected at a 90% rate or more. Indeed - the 7 New Jersey seats held by Democrats are universally considered safe. (Quick - can you even name the Republican challengers in the 6 races being contested? - I couldn't.)

Not so for the 6 seats held by Republicans. When the polls close two weeks from this moment, we have 6 chances to increase the democratic majority in the NJ House delegation. And, although conventional wisdom suggests some of these chances are better than others - there is reason for optimism in all of them.

What's your favorite surprise prediction for election day? Take the Poll on Blue Jersey, where this diary is cross-posted. Or, ok fine, just take the poll here.

Poll

36 votes Show Results

How many Republican-held House seats will flip in NJ this year?

36 votes Vote Now!

How many Republican-held House seats will flip in NJ this year?

Six - you betcha

5 votes

Five - also, too, we might lose one

2 votes

Four - money changes everything

5 votes

Three - ah, yes, but which three

11 votes

Two - as we knew from the beginning

9 votes

One - ruh roh

2 votes

Zero - no more anti-american socialists thanks

1 vote

[gasp] The Dems will lose seats in NJ

1 vote

Whom Would Jesus Vote For Again?

noweeman

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Monday October 20, 2008 · 7:25 AM PDT

2008/10/20 · 07:25

One of my least favorite things to see in politics is claims of religion supporting one party over the other. It's offensive when Republicans do it, and I don't much care for attempts by Democrats to do it either.

But that doesn't mean we can't speak of policy decisions by referencing voters' religious beliefs and sensibilities in ways that unite us all. And, that's exactly what happened for the better in New Jersey last night.

Dennis Shulman, Rabbi and NJ-5 Candidate for Congress who is putting the fight to avowed Christian "conservative" Scott Garrett, took that opportunity in the first of three scheduled debates.

Shulman landed Blue Jersey's Quote of the Day when discussing Garrett's vote against SCHIP by noting that Garrett was violating a fundamental biblical tenet:

"Even your scripture, Scott, says heal the sick and cleanse the leper."

Indeed, there is more to be found in every religion that unites us than can ever be found to divide us.

Score 1 for Dennis, and credit PolitickerNJ's Matt Friedman for great coverage of the NJ-5 debate.

Interview Tonight with DSCC Insider - Is 60 or 62 Really the Magic Number?

noweeman

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Wednesday October 15, 2008 · 11:32 AM PDT

2008/10/15 · 11:32

This week on Blue Jersey Radio: Our guest is Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Deputy Communications Director Hannah August. Or, I guess in acronymspeak, that would be the DSCC's DCD, HA. Hannah is a former Senator Menendez staffer, and joins us tonight with insight on New Jersey's Senate race, and races around the country. Are we really looking at a filibuster-proof majority? Find out tonight on Blue Jersey Radio, at a special time - 6:30 p.m.

And, of course, Jason Springer and I will follow up the interview with the week in New Jersey politics, and the Garden State implications of national stuff ahead of tonight's final presidential debate.

Poll

125 votes Show Results

What Will Be the Biggest Senate Surprise in November?

125 votes Vote Now!

What Will Be the Biggest Senate Surprise in November?

Allen beats Collins in Maine

9 votes

Franken beats Coleman in Minnesota

19 votes

Martin beats Chambliss in Georgia

53 votes

Landrieu loses in Louisiana

3 votes

The Democrats find themselves with 62 seats

36 votes

The Democrats fall short of 60 seats

5 votes

Undefeated in Eleven Straight Presidential Campaigns

noweeman

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Saturday September 27, 2008 · 7:02 AM PDT

2008/09/27 · 07:02

As Ohio goes, so goes the nation - at least I hope so. In fact, this year sets up a showdown between Ohio, the acknowledged king of presidential picking (and currently a toss-up state) and at least 5 other pretenders to the ~~thrown~~ throne.

Yes, you might be surprised to learn that in addition to Ohio, there are 5 other states with at least a 40-year streak of picking the winner in presidential contests: Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. (And, in the case of Kentucky and Tennessee, their streak of wins goes as far back as Ohio's, with their last loss being 1960.)

With polls showing McCain sage in Kentucky, favored in Louisiana and Tennessee, and with slim leads in Missouri and Arkansas, 2008 may just be the year Ohio proves its mettle as king of the kingmakers. For the nation's sake, c'mon Ohio - let's make it 12 straight!

Should our next President be able to multi-task?

noweeman

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Wednesday September 24, 2008 · 2:07 PM PDT

2008/09/24 · 14:07

I realize multi-tasking is a new word, and perhaps even a new concept. But, it's hardly a new skill, or a rare one. In 2008, it seems to me that every worker bee, every mom, every college student, every everyone needs to be able to deal with the task at hand, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the future.

Shouldn't we expect the same from the most powerful person on the planet?

Poll

90 votes Show Results

Is multi-tasking a necessary skill for the President of the United States?

90 votes Vote Now!

Is multi-tasking a necessary skill for the President of the United States?

Of course. I'm asked to do it in my job every day.

81 votes

No. That's what staffers are for.

3 votes

What's multi-tasking?

6 votes

Netroots Nation Wrapup - a Diary in Pictures

noweeman

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Wednesday July 23, 2008 · 9:50 AM PDT

2008/07/23 · 09:50

I've been to many conferences, and this was definitely one of the best - great speakers, friendly participants, amazing surprise guests - and Austin, TX is definitely a cool city to visit. Since I was sent there on a DFA scholarship, thanks in no small part to the help of New Jersey voters - I tried to keep the New Jersey-bound in the loop as much as possible, with a series of Netroots Nation diaries during the conference.

Now, I took a bunch of pictures, but I'm certainly no photographer. Still, flip on over to the other side to see some of them. It will definitely help me fill in some of the blanks left out in the earlier diaries, and recap some of the highlights of the conference.

noweeman

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Friday March 28, 2008 · 9:11 AM PDT

2008/03/28 · 09:11

This long primary season has been the absolute best thing to happen to the democratic party in a generation. Howard Dean's 50-state strategy has come to life in the primary precisely because we're fighting it out amongst ourselves to choose a nominee, not just in Iowa and New Hampshire anymore, but in South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico, and California and Texas and New York, and South Dakota and Oregon and Washington and,... well, maybe not Michigan.

And it's because of this process of engaging our own voters - and the independents who are newly registering as democrats and participating in droves - that we're going to Washington, D.C. to take back the White House. Yearggghhh indeed.

But.

While I actually don't mind a bit that PA, NC, IN, and ETC. get a chance to be courted and to have their say, we are starting to see the continued primary having the potential to hurt the morale of both Obama and Clinton supporters. (Yes, this may seem obvious to some. But then again, it seemed obvious to some that we should have rallied around one or the other of the candidates a long time ago, and they were wrong.)

"Obama-Clinton 2008" - that's where I think this is headed. I would be happy with that, and so would an awful lot of people.

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Hey Mark Zuckerberg: Friends Don't Let Friends Veto Equality

The NJ Governor's Race Just Became Yours

Rick Warren? Are you kidding me?

Congressman-Elect John Adler (NJ-3) on Blue Jersey Radio

Taking Off Work for Election Day?

Six Chances to Win in New Jersey - Take the Poll

Whom Would Jesus Vote For Again?

Interview Tonight with DSCC Insider - Is 60 or 62 Really the Magic Number?

Undefeated in Eleven Straight Presidential Campaigns

Should our next President be able to multi-task?

Netroots Nation Wrapup - a Diary in Pictures

I don't think a continued primary hurts the party, but