Author: James

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COMMENTARY: Trump presents a realistic view of U.S.

Interviewing with Kennedy from Fox News

Bob Auth Interviewing with Kennedy from Fox News.

July 28,2016

by NJ Assemblyman Robert Auth represents the 39th District in Bergen and Passaic counties.

On my return as a delegate from the Republican National Convention, I heard a lot of commentators say the acceptance speech of the nominee, Donald J. Trump, was too dark. I did not see that at all. It was a frank and realistic assessment of the state of affairs of the nation — and very powerful.

Don’t the commentators know that 70 percent of Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction?

We needed an honest evaluation of the nation, so people can know the truth. And so we can know how to correct the problems.

Trump said he will stand with the forgotten people to be their voice. Republicans usually speak of limited government. Trump sees it a little differently. He wants to restrain corrupt government from hurting the average American. Trump knows people are disconnected and hugely dissatisfied with their government. He will speak for them when the doors are closed and the politicians are in the back room cutting deals.

Trump will be the one to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating coal jobs out of this country, to stop the Justice Department from taking our guns and to stop the IRS from over taxation while hedge funds and Wall Street get a pass. He will be the voice of the hardworking common man, the forgotten who built this great nation and want it to be great again.

People want honesty from their politicians. Political correctness has beaten the spirit of this country. Donald Trump knows this instinctively. Notice he clarified his position on Muslims? The liberal media say it is not possible to ban all Muslims, yet the American people respond with support for Trump. Americans are smart and know he won’t ban all Muslims. He just wants to stop dangerous people from coming into this county and killing innocent, freedom-loving Americans.

President Barack Obama has the administration of red lines and Hillary Clinton is the candidate of white lies. It’s clear Donald Trump will be a very forceful leader on the world stage. He will not tour the world apologizing for American exceptionalism, nor coddle enemies of America like Iran.

This is another area where Trump speaks truth. Concerning the Iran deal, the United Nations just released a report stating the Iranians are not complying with the agreement. They intend to rebuild advanced centrifuges in less than 10 years. Obama wants to allow Iranian business access to American dollars through a series of international clearinghouses, a move that is prohibited by U.S. law. This will not happen in a Trump administration.

There will be accountability and the American interest will come first. Remember when Jimmy Carter coddled the Iranians? Under Trump, the enemies of America will pay.

Clinton has lied about her email server.  Let me ask you something: If the wife of a forgotten man was being investigated by the attorney general, do you think she would meet with him? Would he get 45 minutes in her plane to talk about  grandkids? This is the same attorney general who said the only way we can defeat ISIS is with love and gun control would have stopped the Orlando nightclub shootings.

Average Americans know that what has been happening in this country under Obama and Clinton is wrong, and they feel helpless at the hands of political correctness. Trump will break this cycle of insanity and begin a new era of American greatness.

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Political Leaders Join Muslims To Discuss True Islam

Koran

Oldest annual Muslim conference draws public officials to confront extremism

July 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Harrisburg PA, Martin O’Malley, former Governor of Maryland and U.S. Presidential Candidate, is one of many political leaders who will be speaking at the longest running annual Muslim convention in America. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, the nation’s largest and oldest Muslim organization, is hosting its 68th annual Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) from July 29 to 31 in Harrisburg, PA. Speakers include representatives of the White House, the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom, country Ambassadors, as well as other political, religious, academic and interfaith leaders from around the nation.

This convention seeks to unite leaders and American Muslims in fighting against extremist ideologies and radicalization for a safer nation and world.  With the official designated theme “True Islam: A Campaign Against Extremism,” speakers will discuss how to combat the growing scourge of  violent extremism and the problem of Islamophobia in the wake of rising violence towards American Muslims.

“Extremism and Islamophobia are very real and concerning issues, not only for the Muslim community but for all Americans,” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Senior Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “If we want to achieve common peace, we must come together as leaders and American citizens to root out intolerant thinking and behaviors.”

Guest speakers include:

  • Martin O’Malley, Former Governor of Maryland and U.S. Presidential Candidate
  • Ambassador Jackie Wolcott, Commissioner, US Commission on International Religious Freedom
  • Brian Levin, Professor and Director of Center for Study of Hate and Extremism, California State University San Bernardino
  • Nick Miccarelli, Member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
  • Zaki Barzinji, Associate Director of Public Engagement, The White House
  • Dr. Milton Boniuk, Founder, Boniuk Institute for Religious Tolerance, Rice University —  receiving the 2016 Ahmadiyya Muslim Humanitarian Award
  • Dr. Craig Considine, Lecturer, Sociology, Rice University
  • His Excellency Bockari Kortu Stevens, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the United States
  • His Excellency Tiena Coulibaly, Ambassador of Mali to the United States
  • Sergio Celis, Member of Congress, Republic of Guatemala
  • Carlo Sanchez, Member, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Carol Bianchi, Mayor of Bernards Township, New Jersey
  • George Halcovage, Schuylkill County Commissioner, Pennsylvania
  • Rev. Mark Tonnesen, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Florida
  • Rev. Harold Eugene Thompson, Miami Beach Community Church, Florida

With special messages from:

  • U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
  • U.S. Senator Jeanne Sheehan (D-NH)
  • U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)
  • Tom Wolf, Governor of Pennsylvania
  • Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts
  • Eric Papenfuse, Mayor of Harrisburg
  • Other federal and state lawmakers

When:  Guest session: July 30th, 2016, 4pm – 6pm

Where:  Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 N Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Media Opportunity: Interviews with above guests and with American Muslim leadership.

More Information:

https://convention.ahmadiyya.us/

www.MuslimsForPeace.org

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the first American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

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Youth Baseball: Ridgewood squad resumes last summer’s success

RBSA

BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Just over 11 months ago, the Ridgewood Raiders 14U baseball team returned to a hero’s welcome in the village after the squad’s successful season culminated in a trip to the Junior League World Series.

The same group of boys had another strong campaign this summer but without any of the fanfare that accompanied last year’s triumphs. That was perfectly fine with them.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/village-team-resumes-last-summer-s-success-1.1636940

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New president outlines plan of action for Rotary Club of Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus and Glen Rock

Jerry Kallman Rotary Club

BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

RIDGEWOOD – The Rotary Club of Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus and Glen Rock recently announced that former president Jerry Kallman is returning to the top job for 2016-2017.

At his first meeting as president this time around, Kallman outlined his plans for his term, including living by the principal “service above self,” the Rotary’s motto.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/clubs-and-service-organizations/new-president-outlines-plan-of-action-1.1636865

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Congressman Scott Garrett Presents Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke a special recognition award

Congressman Scott Garrett Presents Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke a special recognition award

July 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Thursday Congressman Scott Garrett presenting our new Chief of Police with a special recognition.

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Congressman Scott Garrett showed up in Ridgewood to offer Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke a special recognition award .

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Reader say Criticism of Village of Ridgewood Attorney met with a cheap attempt at censorship and silencing the public through intimidation

Roberta Sonenfeld

file photo by Boyd Loving of Matt Rogers and Roberta Sonenfeld

July 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Reader say Criticism of Village of Ridgewood Attorney met with a cheap attempt at censorship and silencing the public through intimidation.

We have seen this before :

“Commenters on this thread need to bone up on libel law. Castigating a practicing attorney must be done with a degree of care that is greater than when one is pummeling a non-professional. If a lie is uttered that forms the basis of an overall message, explicit or implicit, that the attorney in question is unfit for the practice of law, a judge or jury is empowered to declare that libel has occurred. And not just ordinary libel, with respect to which financial damages must be proven to the penny, but libel per se, in which damages are presumed.”

A reader responds , “That’s right James. Not only is Rogers a public figure because he works in a municipal council but TRUTH is always a defense to any threat of ‘libel’. I think that July 28, 2016 at 6:21 pm anonymous message may have been written by Rogers himself (or someone astroturfing on his behalf.) It’s just another cheap attempt at censorship and silencing the public through intimidation. They’re low enough to do such things. The bottom-line is that rogers is a bum period! “

Since we heard this during the recent Village election campaign we thought we would clear the air .

Mr Rogers like most Village employees is whats called a “public figure” .
In United States law, public figure is a term applied in the context of defamation actions (libel and slander) as well as invasion of privacy. A public figure (such as a politician, celebrity, or business leader) cannot base a lawsuit on incorrect harmful statements unless there is proof that the writer or publisher acted with actual malice (knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth).[1] The burden of proof in defamation actions is higher in the case of a public figure.

The controlling precedent in the United States was set in 1964 by the United States Supreme Court in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. It is considered a key decision in supporting the First Amendment and freedom of the press.

A fairly high threshold of public activity is necessary to elevate people to public figure status. Typically, they must either be:

a public figure, either a public official or any other person pervasively involved in public affairs, or
a limited purpose public figure, meaning those who have “thrust themselves to the forefront of particular public controversies in order to influence the resolution of the issues involved.” A “particularized determination” is required to decide whether a person is a limited purpose public figure, which can be variously interpreted:[2]

A person can become an “involuntary public figure” as the result of publicity, even though that person did not want or invite the public attention. For example, people accused of high profile crimes may be unable to pursue actions for defamation even after their innocence is established…

A person can also become a “limited public figure” by engaging in actions which generate publicity within a narrow area of interest. For example, [jokes about]… Terry Rakolta [an activist who spearheaded a boycott of the show Married With Children] werefair comments… within the confines of her public conduct [and] protected by Ms. Rakolta’s status as a “limited public figure”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_figure

Proving Fault: Actual Malice and Negligence

Unlike other countries that hold a publisher liable for every defamatory statement regardless of what steps he or she took prior to publication, under U.S. law a plaintiff must prove that the defendant was at fault when she published the defamatory statement. In other words, the plaintiff must prove that the publisher failed to do something she was required to do. Depending on the circumstances, the plaintiff will either need to prove that the defendant acted negligently, if the plaintiff is a private figure, or with actual malice, if the plaintiff is a public figure or official.

Celebrities, politicians, high-ranking or powerful government officials, and others with power in society are generally considered public figures/officials and are required to prove actual malice. Unlike these well-known and powerful individuals, your shy neighbor is likely to be a private figure who is only required to prove negligence if you publish something defamatory about her. Determining who is a public or private figure is not always easy. In some instances, the categories may overlap. For example, a blogger who is a well-known authority on clinical research involving autism may be considered a public figure for purposes of controversies involving autism, but not for other purposes. https://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/proving-fault-actual-malice-and-negligence.

Incidentally the ABA does not look kindly to lawyers making fallacious legal threats .
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Ridgewood Water Issues Corrections on Consumer Confidence Report

RidgewoodWaterLogo_061912_rn_tif_

Click HERE to view the corrected 2016 Consumer Confidence Report.

July 28,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, You should have received the 2016 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report that was mailed to you on June 30, 2016 (ClickHERE to view).  We hope you have had an opportunity to read the report and learn about the water quality parameters that we monitor and the contaminants we test for.

Ridgewood Water is a complex water supply system and our Annual Report is similarly complex. This year’s report may be even more challenging to understand because the pages appear in a different order than was intended.  Please be assured that all of the information has been included and nothing was omitted.

There are two corrections to the report, however, that you should know about.  On the first page of the Report, under “BACKGROUND INFORMATION,” the following sentences appear, “In 2015, Ridgewood Water exceeded the 15 ppb Action Level for Lead of which you were previously notified.  We are still working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to correct this Issue.”  The year referred to is incorrect.  The lead exceedance occurred in 2012.  The treatment plan proposed by Ridgewood Water to correct this issue was approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and has been fully implemented.

In the section labelled “Unregulated Contaminants for Which EPA Requires Monitoring” the level detected for Perflourooctanic acid – PFOA and Perflourooctane sulfonic acid – PFOS are reversed.  The PFOA Range should be ND-0.04 and the PFOS Range should be ND-0.06.

To help consumers better understand the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report and to provide a special opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification, Ridgewood Water is sponsoring a daytime forum on July 27 at 9:00am in the Courtroom of Village Hall and an evening forum on August 2 at 7:00pm in the Youth Center of Village Hall. Consumers from all of the municipalities served by Ridgewood Water are invited to attend either forum.  Space is limited, so please register by contacting Donna Omelianuk, Ridgewood Water, at 201-670-5500 x271 or by email at [email protected]. Recordings of the forums will be made available online for those unable to attend.

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Ridgewood Board of Ed Incumbents Run Uncontested

BOE_theridgewoodblog

July 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, BOE Members Jeannette Wilson and James Morgan will be running uncontested for Ridgewood School Board Seats. Two incumbents are seeking reelection to the Ridgewood Board of Education.

Despite efforts by the REA to run union members and pro union people for Ridgewood BOE seats no one stepped up.

Click here to read an updated statement on REA – BOE contract negotiations, issued by the Ridgewood Board of Education on July 22, 2016.

The two incumbents, Jeannette Wilson and James Morgan were the only two candidates to file petitions to run this year. Monday July 25th at 4 p.m. was the deadline to file petitions for the school board to be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The November 8th election ballot will include a question for residents about implementing full-day Kindergarten in Ridgewood. To learn more about full-day Kindergarten, please click here for a FAQ sheet.

 

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hospital ratings: So How did Valley Hospital Fare ?

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

July 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The federal government released its first overall hospital quality rating on Wednesday, giving some of the best known local hospitals in New Jersey an average or below average scores .

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rated 3,617 hospitals on a one- to five-star scale . While the hospital industry pressured the Obama administration and Congress to block the ratings and argue the ratings will make places that treat the toughest cases look bad, but Medicare has held firm, saying that consumers need a simple way to objectively gauge quality.

Just 102 hospitals received the top rating of five stars.Nearly half the hospitals or 1,752 received an average rating of three stars. While another 1,042 hospitals were not rated, including all hospitals in Maryland.

Medicare based the star ratings on 64 individual measures that are published on its Hospital Compare website, including death and infection rates and patient reviews. Medicare noted that specialized and “cutting-edge care,” such as the latest techniques to battle cancer, are not reflected in the ratings.

Here are some of our local hospitals and how they ranked:

VALLEY HOSPITAL
223 N VAN DIEN AVENUE
RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
(201) 447-8000
3 out of 5 stars

BERGEN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
230 EAST RIDGEWOOD AVE
PARAMUS, NJ 07652
(201) 967-4000
3 out of 5 stars

HACKENSACK-UMC AT PASCACK VALLEY
250 OLD HOOK ROAD
WESTWOOD, NJ 07675
(201) 383-1074
3 out of 5 stars

ST JOSEPH’S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
703 MAIN ST
PATERSON, NJ 07503
(973) 754-2010
1 out of 5 stars

HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
30 PROSPECT AVE
HACKENSACK, NJ 07601
(201) 996-2000
2 out of 5 stars

HOLY NAME MEDICAL CENTER
718 TEANECK RD
TEANECK, NJ 07666
(201) 833-3000
4 out of 5 stars

ST MARY’S GENERAL HOSPITAL
350 BOULEVARD
PASSAIC, NJ 07055
(973) 365-4300
2 out of 5 stars

GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL OF SUFFERN
255 LAFAYETTE AVENUE
SUFFERN, NY 10901
(914) 368-5000
2 out of 5 stars

ENGLEWOOD HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER
350 ENGLE ST
ENGLEWOOD, NJ 07631
(201) 894-3000
3 out of 5 stars

CHILTON MEDICAL CENTER
97 WEST PARKWAY
POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444
(973) 831-5000
2 out of 5 stars

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RIDGEWOOD POLICE TRAFFIC ALERT WEST GLEN AVE DETOUR FOR PSEG

pseG_truck2_theridgewoodblog

Update on PSEG Gas Work

July 28,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, Starting Wednesday, July 27, 2016 PSEG will be working on W. Glen Ave. with the large detour in place until Friday, July 29th. Then on either Friday or Monday they will move to E. Glen Ave. working between Maple Ave. and Fairfield Rd. for about 2 weeks. They will start at Fairfield and work backwards.

PSEG will stop short of the firehouse driveway and try to get the work in front of the firehouse/Water/ Recycling yard all done on one day. Please know that during that day there will be very limited and sometimes no access to those driveways.

After they complete the gas work on E. Glen Ave., they will return to the work on W. Glen and that includes starting off with the large detour for about 5-7 work days. And will continue west until they reach Monroe St.

To clarify, while working on E. Glen Ave., W. Glen Ave. will be completely open.

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Governor Chris Christie brings his Fair School Funding Message to Over Taxed Bergen County

Chris_christie_theridgewoodblog

July 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, Governor Chris Christie took his #fairschoolfunding message to Fair Lawn in Bergen County on Thursday, making the case for a new K-12 state aid formula to a town hall audience .

Governor Chris Christie proposed drastic changes to New Jersey’s school-aid formula that would distribute an equal amount for each student regardless of income, a move that would redirect money from cities to suburbs.

Over the past 30 years, New Jersey taxpayers have sent $97 billion to those 31 systems, while the other 546 have received $9 billion less. Worse yet by all standards the Abbott Schools have been a complete failure and are in violation of the very law that requires them to exist.

The average Ridgewood homeowner would save the second most at $4209 in Bergen County after Tenafly at $4478 .

Even Steve Sweeney’s home town, a leading opponent of the plan, way down in South Jersey would receive 58% more funding per student in addition to average net property tax decreases.

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Homeownership Rate in the U.S. Drops to Lowest Since 1965

Ridgewood Realestate

Prashant Gopal mrgopal
July 28, 2016 — 10:25 AM EDT
Updated on July 28, 2016 — 1:04 PM EDT

Share fell to 62.9% in second quarter from 63.5% in the first
Rising prices putting purchases out of reach for many renters

The U.S. homeownership rate fell to the lowest in more than 50 years as rising prices put buying out of reach for many renters.

The share of Americans who own their homes was 62.9 percent in the second quarter, the lowest since 1965, according to a Census Bureau report Thursday. It was the second straight quarterly decrease, down from 63.5 percent in the previous three months.

The drop extends a years-long decline from the last housing boom, in part because of tight credit and a shift toward renting in the aftermath of the crash. First-time buyers have been struggling to find affordable properties as low mortgage rates and an improving job market spur competition for a tight supply of listings. Home prices rose 5.2 percent in May from a year earlier, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller index of values in 20 cities released this week.

“One of the biggest hurdles now is affordability,” Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina, said before the Census Bureau report was released. “Home prices are rising so much faster than incomes, so it’s hard for buyers to save for a down payment.”

The homeownership rate reached a peak of 69.2 percent in June 2004.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-28/homeownership-rate-in-the-u-s-tumbles-to-the-lowest-since-1965

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Steel Wheel Tavern in Ridgewood Opens in August

parking CBD fullhouse theridgewoodblog.net
July 28,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Steel Wheel Tavern, a bar and restaurant, is coming to 51 N. Broad St., across from the train station in Ridgewood. It is the Former space of Smith Brother’s Steak & Chophouse.

According to the new management they are completely renovating the space .The 100 seat restaurant will include both bar and dining room and plans to offer outdoor sidewalk seating.

Managing partner Glenn Carlough told the Bergen Record ,”It will have a New American menu with a large selection of appetizers, as well as salads, steaks, meat and fish dishes. It hopes to be a lively neighborhood bar that also has excellent food. ”
The Steel Wheel Tavern has also announced the hiring of Bryan Tortorella as Executive Chef. Chef Tortorella, a native of River Edge, has previously worked at Bacari Grill (Washington Township) and the Pier Restaurant in Newport, Ruth’s Chris in Providence, Rhode Island .

“We’re shooting for serving friends and family on Aug. 12 and 13 and opening to the public Aug. 14,” said Executive Chef Bryan Tortorella told the Daily Voice.

Steel Wheel Tavern with have an extensive children’s menu, Splendid Sides, like braised red cabbage, baby vegetables, sweet potato puree, and quinoa. Desserts will include trendy chocolate lava cake, crème brulee, banana bread pudding, ice creams, sorbets  and of course a creative American. cuisine with a New England seafood influence to it.

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At convention, N.J. Democrats debate whether political correctness is a good thing

Nazi_Rally_Buckeberg

 

New Jersey Democrats have gotten so “PC” this week. And some who have made the pilgrimage to the Democratic National Convention proudly asserted that political correctness is part of the DNA of the Democratic Party. Charles Stile, The RecordRead more