Editorial: A legal victory with complications

The Connecticut Superior Court ruling Tuesday validated State Rep. John Santanella's complaint. This is a clear win, and allows him to avoid an August 11 Democratic primary against his challenger, former town attorney Tom Tyler. Tyler can appeal, but absent that, Santanella can shift his focus to November. But a winning legal outcome is not the same as a winning narrative outcome. This was an honest mistake by the Tyler campaign, a consequence of some flawed official guidance and a decision to rely on that guidance. The court found that the Democratic registrar provided petition sheets four days before state law allowed, and that the state-supplied forms lacked a legally required statement from circulators on the number of signatures gathered — a defect that invalidated all of Tyler's petitions. The ruling also notes that there was no evidence the Tyler campaign exercised due diligence to confirm the official guidance. Connecticut election law doesn't allow for honest mista...
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Connecticut's climate crisis

In my bicycle travels, I've come across a few of these signs. I love them. 


Climate change is especially problematic, and "Science is Real" hits home. The message here is about climate change. 


In the most recent debate, Joe Biden talked about how climate change is an "existential threat" to humankind. He was honest with Americans. 


Now, let's talk about Connecticut. 


Connecticut is in a hot zone -- one of the hottest in the lower 48 states. (All figures are in Fahrenheit)


Since 1970, Connecticut's average temperature has increased by 2.84°F, the nation's 10th highest state, according to data by Climate Central. Rhode Island is 9th, and Vermont, 8th, all with similar temperature rises. 


A Washington Post analysis of temperature changes since 1895 reported that Hartford County's temperature increased by 3°F. 


New London County temperature has increased by 3.6°F over this same period. Rhode Island's Washington County, which abuts New London County as seen an increase of 4°F. Warming ocean waters are influencing these changes. Rhode Island is one of the fastest warming states in the nation. 


It's going to get worse. 


A University of Massachusetts study reports that Connecticut's temperatures may increase by over 5°F over the next 50 years.


These estimates may be wrong and not in the right way. 


In Connecticut this year, we had 39 days at or above 90°F. The previous record was 38°F, set in 1983. According to the UMass researchers, the average number of days over 90°F is usually around 15. 


Arizona, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts reported their warmest June-August on record, said NOAA.


Planetwise, NOAA says this was the "warmest September on record for the globe." 


The climate changes are noticeable to me, but I'm an older guy. The younger generation has no reference point, it's just abstraction. But these generations are seeing unusual weather patterns, alarming data, and are exceptionally equipped to understand what is going on here. They must be worried about what life will be like for them and their children.


Science is real, but not for Donald Trump, who represents an extreme denialist position. 


Biden stuck his neck out in the debate on climate change. The Republicans immediately picked up his call to transition off fossil fuels as a threat to millions of jobs. 


We will see what happens on Nov. 3. If Biden wins this election, it will be a positive sign that this nation is finally getting ready to deal with this problem. 



Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

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