In New Jersey, would this mean using a silenced 22?
Nah. Just find a cannibalistic chick named Laurie....
Posted on 06/23/2003 11:35:12 AM PDT by Temple Owl
Assembly set to act on bill to eliminate poet laureate
By KATHY HENNESSY
Associated Press Writer
June 22, 2003,
TRENTON, N.J. -- Nearly a year since outrage over an alleged anti-Semitic poem prompted calls to remove poet laureate Amiri Baraka, the Assembly this week will consider a bill to abolish the position.
Under state law, Baraka, who was appointed by the governor, cannot be fired. Since he has refused to step down, lawmakers want to eliminate the poet post.
The Senate has already approved a bill to dissolve the position but both houses must agree on the legislation. A spokesman for Gov. James E. McGreevey said the governor supports the concept but wants to see the final version of the bill before agreeing to sign it.
"The governor was among the first to call for his (Baraka's) removal," said Micah Rasmussen, a McGreevey spokesman. "We are going to be open-minded about how to accomplish that."
Sen. Peter Inverso, R-Mercer, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, urged fellow lawmakers to pass the measure. Inverso said Baraka is an embarrassment to New Jersey residents and does not deserve to hold a state post.
"He has consistently used his official public position as a podium for divisive and hateful commentary," Inverso said.
In the poem, "Somebody Blew Up America," which Baraka read at a poetry festival last year, he implied that some Jews had advance knowledge of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
The lines singled out by critics read: "Who knew the World Trade Center was gonna get bombed/Who told 4,000 Israeli workers at the Twin Towers to stay home that day?/Why did Sharon stay away?"
Baraka has said he is not an anti-Semite and that his poem was meant to criticize Israel's policy toward Palestinians. He did not immediately return a call on Friday seeking comment.
Plenty of other legislative action is scheduled for the upcoming week as lawmakers scramble to approve the $24.1 billion state budget before the July 1 deadline. Lawmakers traditionally break for the summer following the adoption of the state spending plan.
Both the Assembly and Senate will hold voting sessions on Monday and Thursday to pass legislation related to the budget. On Tuesday, the Senate budget committee will review the budget legislation after Democrats withheld the bills last week after Republicans refused to vote for them.
In addition to considering the poet laureate bill, the Assembly will review a proposal to hold a constitutional convention to reform the state's property tax system. If approved, a question would be put on the ballot asking voters if they want to have a convention to develop another way to pay for public schools and local government.
In the Senate, the health committee on Monday will consider a package of bills to reform the Division of Youth and Family Services. An Assembly panel has already approved the legislation.
In New Jersey, would this mean using a silenced 22?
"Vinnie, whack that a$$hole."
In New Jersey, would this mean using a silenced 22?
Nah. Just find a cannibalistic chick named Laurie....
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