Gov. Christie signs 'Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights'

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: NJ.com

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie has signed a bill advocates say gives New Jersey the toughest anti-bullying law in the nation.

Christie signed the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights,” according to a press release from Garden State Equality, the state’s largest gay rights organization, which advocated for the bill.

The new law is intended to eliminate loopholes in the state’s first anti-bullying law, passed in 2002, that encouraged school districts to set up anti-bullying programs but did not mandate it.

It will require training for most public school teachers, administrators and other employees on how to spot bullying and mandate that all districts form a "school safety team" to review complaints. School districts would be graded by the state on their efforts to combat the problem.

Administrators who do not investigate reported incidents of bullying would be disciplined, while students who bully could be suspended or expelled. School employees would also be required to report all incidents they learn of, whether they took place in or outside of school.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/gov_christie_signs_anti-bullyi.html

[rfranklin]

1. He will have to turn himself in...

He is the classic bully.

[Historic NY]

2. +100

[Judi Lynn]

5. Absolutely! n/t

[valerief]

6. Badda bing! nt

[RobinA]

12. My Thoughts

exactly.

[indimuse]

3. LOL!!! n/t

[No Elephants]

4. Will he stop bullying teachers and unions

[XanaDUer]

7. Irony, thy name is Christie

nt.

[onehandle]

8. Thug asshole misses irony. nt

[AtheistCrusader]

9. I thought republicans were all a-tizzy about 'hate speech'?

[NYC Liberal]

10. Well Christie is an asshole and a hypocrite, but

I'm all for this.

[karynnj]

11. Here is a great letter to the editor calling Christie the poster child for bullies

from a NJ paper.

I would like to nominate Gov. Chris Christie as the "Poster Boy for Bullies.".
Politically and otherwise, this governor displays all the class and finesse of a Nile
crocodile. Of course, his Jersey bravado and nasty sense of humor puts him in good stead with all the "Becksters & Palinites." However, the reality of these tactics won't leave much room to solve the state's problems. Or is he going to pull a Sarah Palin on us?

Governor, you were elected as the state's top public servant to facilitate solving New Jersey's financial problems, not a sarcastic, sanctimonious sovereign. You can't govern by personal fiat. And since when did arrogance become a prerequisite trait for political leadership? No wonder bullying remains a problem today; no one recognizes it even when it's on display in our statehouse.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20110105/OPINION02/110103058/1095/OPINION/Governor+should+be+poster+boy+for+bullies

[aquart]

13. Republicans are irony challenged.

[JackBeck]

14. It's amazing to see something that you have worked on become law.

I testified in support of this bill in front of the Senate and Assembly Education committees and was invited to sit on the floor of both chambers during the full vote. The only one standing the way of this bill was Christie and even the Republicans didn't know if he would sign it.

[Justitia]

15. Good on you! This must feel terrific, and so very worthwhile. -eom

[JackBeck]

16. Christie still found a way to be an asshole.

No signing ceremony and out of the 3 bills he signed yesterday, the anti-bullying bill didn't get a press release from his office, but the other two did.

Anyway, I'm still thrilled it was signed without Christie using a conditional veto, where the Governor can send a bill back to both houses with his suggested changes in writing, but the bill then has to be re-passed by both houses.

[Justitia]

18. Yup, what a jerk. But, whatever, the best outcome was had despite his pettiness.

Again, very happy for you and NJ.

I've advocated for what seems like the most commonsense legislation (never testified, didn't get that far), only to be crushed like a bug.

Glad to see one turn out well.

[JackBeck]

21. I have so much respect for those that advocate for full equality, despite the inevitable outcome.

You did your best but please don't let that deter you from continuing to push for what you know is right, despite the insurmountable odds. You are the people that make a difference in the places where others have given up and it will be you that we thank once there is equality in your area.

[tilsammans]

17. Thank you!!!

:applause:

[JackBeck]

19. Today is the one-year anniversary of our marriage equality defeat.

So, yeah, it feels pretty great to go from beginning last year with such crushing disappointment to starting this new year with another win for equality in New Jersey.

[Ter]

20. And so ends Christie's chances for getting the Republican nomination for President!

:)

[Rocknrule]

22. Maybe if they had done something like this 10 years ago

instead of wasting time blaming video games, stuff like Virginia Tech wouldn't have happened