[Colofornian]

If the legislators in question are using public money to make their statement, then I agree that their actions are reprehensible.

Number one, this joint statement is on the Web. It was released by James Sverapa IV, Press Secretary for the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office. Go ahead, call him (609/292-7065) and ask if this was a taxpayer-billed press release (it was). This release clearly is tied to the official capacities in which the following titles and (taxpayer-paid) phone numbers are listed: The press release advises media, etc. to "Contact: Assemblywoman Quigley (201) 217-4614 Assemblywoman Stender (908) 668-1900." What? Do you think Quigley and Stender fund their own offices? Do you think Quigley and Stender pay themselves for being state legislators? They think this is part of their taxpayer job description.

So are you defending them?

BTW, a reference to the pols' joint statement was posted on the front page of the "Assembly Democratic Majority" of New Jersey.

[Dimensio]

So are you defending them?

I am not. Your clarification of the issue regarding the nature of the press release has provided sufficient information to support the initial claim of the article. Their statement is as much an attempt to ban Ann Coulter's book as a publically-funded press release issued by a conservative legislator urging movie studios not to show Michael Moore's latest movie -- whatever that might be -- is an attempt to ban Michael Moore.