Iran: Zero Margin for Error - December 5, 2007 - The New York Sun

Iran: Zero Margin for Error - December 5, 2007 - The New York Sun

August 8th , 2001: Presidential Daily Briefing entitled "Osama Bin Laden intent to strike within the United States"

August 2003: Bush is told by Stephen Hadley, member of National Security Council, that we have new intelligence regarding Iran NUCLEAR program. Bush response (according to his statement yesterday) was nothing; the President had no response at all!

Today DINO (Democrat in name only) New York Assemblyman Rory Lancman becomes a Bush apologist, writing this article for the New York Sun that puts forth the article that because we have been erratic with our military and threaten Iran with everything from an airstrike to preemptive invasion to a first-use of bunker busting nuclear weapons against Iran. This revelation that Iranian madman Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can scared into not developing nuclear weapons by allowing our president act like a crackhead... oh wait Ahmadinejad wasn't president when we found out that the Iranian Nuclear program was halted. Moderate Mohammad Khatami was the one that halted the nuclear program so the argument that the U.S.'s saber rattling had a positive result with our dealings with Iran is entirely specious. In August 2003 the White House made no mention of Iranian influence in Iraq, made head fake towards military action towards Iran, made no threat that Iran could have reacted to to halt their nuclear program.

I would like you, dear reader, to think back of the time that our government learned that Iran halted their nuclear program. Bush administration had still been claiming there was WMDs in Iraq despite occupying the country for five months. White House spokesman Ari Fleisher was stating from behind the podium their isn't that much looting "its the same vase being carried out, just shown over and over." Vice President Dick Cheney claiming that just dead-enders are fighting American troops. Viceroy Paul Bremer was embarking on the de-baathification of Iraq.

Amidst all this, OUR nation's intelligence service confirmed that the Iranian nuclear program was halted.

According to Bush's statement yesterday he discovered this fact that last Wednesday! Will this revelation change the minds of pro-war hawks and DINOs like Sen. Joe Lieberman and NY Assemblyman Rory Lancman? Nope, actually it appears to strengthen their resolve to send even more of other's sons and daughters to harms way. Who cares if China gets another Trillion dollars of our debt, crazy war-hawks want to invade and occupy another country. Who cares that our addiction to petroleum is leading to our nation's destruction, lets build and use nuclear weapons against a nation that doesn't have nuclear weapons. Who cares that we are building a perpetual permanent war-time economy without the benefit of national full employment, lets ignore the warning of the last 5 star general in Eisenhower's "Military Industrial Complex" speech.

It is highly possibly that we have a change party in the White House and yet not have a change in bellicosity towards the rest of the world. The truth is that no matter whom resides in the White House we have always been at war with Eastasia or Eurasia. There may be a point the future that we can not even imagine a world without Big Brother (or Sister) calling the dance; telling us this week we have always owned and occupied and have historical rights to natural resources of Iraq or Iran or Valenzuela or Nigeria. It matters that OUR government withholds the truth from us. We can entrust the neo-cons (of both parties) to seek the truth, they are like street prostitutes who are beaten by their pimps and say 'but really loves me.'

Black voters tilt toward Clinton: study - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com

Black voters tilt toward Clinton: study - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com

I just watched this story on MSNBC's Tucker. Tucker Carlson commented that it is unusual that "blacks, who are the quite possible the most liberal voting block seem to be supporting the the most liberal the least, Edwards coming in at 45%, and supporting the most conservative candidate Hillary Clinton at 83%." Though I share Tucker's surprise that Barak Obama did not do better in the survey (with 75%) but he is taking a huge misstep confusing Democratic party loyalty with liberal beliefs on social issues since African-Americans and Caribbean-Americans socially are some the most socially conservative people in our country. It is only the GOP elite and the party's rank-and-file own bigotry that bars them from taking back the black vote (Republicans were until the 1964 Civil Rights Act the party of Lincoln and had the loyalty of African-Americans.)

As far as long-term partisan political strategy, I am thrilled with the fact that Republicans are either too dumb or too racist to take advantage of the innate commonality between African-Americans (and Latin-Americans to a lesser extent) and social conservatives.

John Edwards is he petitioning in New York?

I've found out recently that the John Edwards campaign will attempt to gain state wide ballot access in New York via all volunteer petitioning effort. The Edwards campaign will probably lean heavy on the California State SEIU State Council to do the grunt work to get on California's ballot, and will likely go the volunteer route for Illinois as well.

Does the Edwards campaign really think they will have a decent Super Tuesday if they don't get on Illinois and New York ballots?

Hiring: Carrion, Brooklyn Assemblyman | The New York Observer

Hiring: Carrion, Brooklyn Assemblyman | The New York Observer

Jackson Heights constituent liaison
http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/gov/421564532.html

Rory Lancman is also looking for a constituent liaison since June (the holder of that position is still sending out email updates).

Jeff Klein runs through staffers like tissues so if he isn't looking for a community liaison this week he will be looking for one next week.

Bill DeBlasio's is also looking for a new Chief of Staff

State senator faces DWI charge in Albany

State senator faces DWI charge in Albany -- Newsday.com

It does not surprise me that much that Senator John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights) was caught drunk driving in Albany. The first time I had met him he recognized what neighborhood I lived in by the proximity of bars that were in the neighborhood. He is an individual that has a reputation throw back drinks whenever he can.

Reminiscing about fatherly advice

This from CityHallNews.com's 40 rising stars under 40

Ryan Toohey
Principal, Global Strategy Group
age: 32
Nickname picked: Fritz

“One of the things that my father taught me and practiced was a level of access and openness that I thought was very cool,” Ryan Toohey said, reflecting on growing up the son of the then Assembly parliamentarian Timothy Toohey and godson of Joe Crangle, then the Democratic state chair.

Ryan Toohey's name may sound familiar since last time he was in the news was as Spitzer campaign manager as he was arrested for DUI. Irony of invoking what his father has taught him and practiced is that when his father came to the police precinct to bail him out, Timothy Toohey consequently was arrested for DUI as well. A family that drinks together stays in the klink together.

7Online.com: New York City and Tri-State News from WABC-TV

7Online.com: New York City and Tri-State News from WABC-TV: "George Bubaris"

This guy owned a 3 family house in Woodside, I've met this guy when I was looking for a apartment. Now it turns out he allegedly picked up an immigrant in his police cruiser who was suffering from internal bleeding then dropped him off out of the Mt. Kisco precinct he was working in and into neighboring Bedford, NY. The immigrant subsequently died, and Police Officer Bubaris has been indicted for negligent homicide.

What a small world!

Obama: the 2008 Howard Dean model

The Dean campaign around the same time in cycle in 2003 were attracting the same size crowd (though with less money raised) yet were able to use the grassroots for the free labor to control the crowds. Obama seeming to have even less planning than Dean's campaign could end up the same way as Howard Dean.

A little advice to Senator Barack Obama, please remember to take your loss in Iowa calmly and not to take it as an opportunity to pump up your supporters that just spent months in the cold to see you come in 3rd.

The point of the Dean-Obama comparison is that Obama has all the media buzz, like McCain before Dean, and Perot before McCain. Dean's campaign had state by state infrastructure which had ten thousands people at rallies in Vermont (for the kickoff), Austin, TX, Boston, MA as well as a huge rally in Bryant Park here in NYC. The Dean campaign had a more authentic grassroots creation, nearly every aspect of the campaign was directed by the supporters, while Obama's campaign seems to be overwhelmed at every step. Even Obama's blog is simply to be just running account of press releases.

The problem with both the Obama campaign and the Dean Campaign is that they need/ed to focus with just states the first 4 states. IA, NH, NV, & SC campaign staff has to be native to the state. The 3,000 orange capped out of staters that descended onto Iowa in the name of Dean for America, had more to do with his defeat than his scream/yelp.

Some guy stating that invading Iraq would be a mistake.

The ballsy-ness of Dick Cheney!

MTA weighing '08 fare hike

Times Ledger - MTA weighing '08 fare hike

2008 MTA will be threatening fare increases, and December of the same year will be negotiating with Transit Workers Union. Who would like to bet that right after the fare increase (despite having budget surpluses) that the TWU will again saber-rattle a strike and this time if they are smart they will create the good will by fighting for fare freezes.

Wanted: New Finance Director for Christine Quinn | The New York Observer

Wanted: New Finance Director for Christine Quinn | The New York Observer

Hilary Keller, Gur Tsabur's campaign manager finance director for his failed City Council Campaign in 05, as well as one of innumerable fundraisers for Eliot Spitzer leaves Council Speaker Christine Quinn's Mayoral Campaign. This time in 2003 Council Speaker Gifford was first in fundraising, it could be a professional choice on the part of Ms. Keller to avoid being part of a sinking ship or Speaker Quinn made the decsion that Ms. Keller could not propel her past Congressman Weiner and Boro Pres. Carrion in fundraising.

The Daily Politics: At Long Last, A Deal? (Updated x2)

The Daily Politics: At Long Last, A Deal? (Updated x2)

Sort of a deal on congestion pricing between the three men in the room will probably not make the mayor very happy.

Bloomberg Heading To Albany

The Daily Politics: Bloomberg Heading To Albany

Bllomberg could avoid a contentious fight with Speaker Silver and Assemblyman, and Senators from the city who oppose the the congestion pricing by thoroughly enforcing traffic laws. After a week of every commuter that drives into Manhattan getting a ticket for not using their turn signal, not driving within the painted lanes, and every other infraction that regular occurs when one drives into Manhattan would certainly give incentive for the commuters who drive to look towards mass transit as the alternative to getting $50-$125 tickets.

More On Gallagher Raid

The Daily Politics: More On Gallagher Raid

Its good to see an elected official from the city in possible legal (maybe even criminal) trouble, that isn't a Democrat. Keeping the regular pace of elected officials coming under a cloud of criminal accusations. The Senator Efrain Gonzalez of the Bronx was the last elected to be indicted less than 6 months ago, the September before was Queens Assemblyman, Union Leader, and apparent Soprano wanna-be (read the quotes of his in the indictment, it really sounds like Tony Soprano) was indicted. Before that, there was criminal charges against State Senator Ada Smith for throwing coffee in a staffer's face, before that there was Brooklyn Assemblywoman Diane Gordan for receiving a small bribe on camera... the small bribe: an entire house for free!

Could we expect just a little more from our elected officials, you know not committing crimes. I know it is a lot ask the 263 elected officials (both houses of the state legislature, and New York City Council) beyond to live up to standards that are: being genial to the 10% of voting population that vote in partisan primary; to be a member of the party that over whelms the district's voter roles; being the appropriate ethnic group for the district. Though it is very likely that a vast majority are literate, I would not go as far to say that it is impossible that an illiterate adult could be elected to office. There are certainly alchohlics, illicit drug user, sex addicts, and other afflicted individuals that "serve" the public.

I'm Glad to Be out of That Pressure-Cooker!
TSA guard #1: You're new here, right?
TSA guard #2: Yeah. I worked at the Gap before, so this is different.

--JFK
via Overheard in New York, Jun 28, 2007

Congestion Pricing

The 2006-2007 legislative session comes to an end without doing anything about congestion pricing within Manhattan during business hours. The biggest complaint that came from elected officials has been that the people that would have to pay the $8/day would be the car owners in the outer boroughs and suburbs they represent. A question to those that believe $8 would be too onerous to the daily commuters... where are you parking for free?!? There is no where in Manhattan where these people are parking for less than $40/day so save your money and take the train or bus into the city.

This is the huge failure of Robert Moses a generation ago who refused to construct any mass transit infrastructure. So as the elected officials from State Sen Sabini and State Sen Padavan to Assemblyman William Brennan and Assemblyman Rory Lancman all oppose this common sense approach to solving traffic and encourage use of green transit solutions, the city and the greater New York metropolitan area suffocates from the exhaust and drown in the traffic.

The same legislators that refuse to create the revenue to fix mass transit claim the reason that congestion pricing should not take effect is because their needs to be mass transit improvement before hand. Proposing the Chicken-Egg paradox is simply ducking the issue. Anyone who opposes the congestion pricing simply wants the status quo to rule our lives and are practicing the type of politics that belittles us all.

NY1: Top Stories

NY1: Top Stories

Police brutality charges on the officers and a Sargent of the 77th precinct in Brooklyn's Prospect Heights is the catalyst for City Councilman Charles Barron's and Civil Rights lawyer Michael Warren's campaign to bring justice to the NYPD. Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, on NY1 admittedly denied any wrong doing by the 77th Precinct (blanket denial of police wrong doing ala-Giuliani) could be the seeds for the end of Mr Hynes tenure as District Attorney. In 2005, African-American State Sen. John Sampson won 35% of the vote while the incumbent White Mr. Hynes won with 40%. In another crowded of white or jewish candidates with one black candidate Mr Hynes certainly will not win again.

Democratic GAIN: Job posting of the ever annoying and excessively ambitious State Sen. Jeff Klein

Search for another job »
Details about Job Posting no. 9438
Company NYS Senator Position: Fundraiser Job Category: Campaigns Post Date: 08/Jun/2007 Salary: Competitive / Yearly
Summary: Democratic NYS Senator seeks a high energy, fundraiser with strong track record of success.
Description: Responsibilities: Responsible for day-to-day fundraising efforts for multi-million dollar committee budget; Assist with development & implementation of finance plan; Manage call time program; Make outbound calls to solicit pledges; Perform donor research; Set, track & chart measurable goals, i.e. Overall Call Time, Revenue/Calls per Hour, Per Pledge average, New Donors, and Efficiency goals; Develop & implement new and small donor plan; Plan & execute fundraisers and other events; Develop & implement donor communications program, including direct mail, fully utilizing campaign website, writing & e-blasting (via fax & email) newsletters, updates, etc.; Maintain all contribution databases; Prepare correspondence; Prepare compliance and filing documents; Position may require Travel with the Senator Senator ; Perform additional duties as needed.

Requirements: Immediate full time position that requires a meticulous, goal-oriented, self-starter with the following abilities: Exceptional telephone techniques & skills, using strong communication (sales) and persuasion skills; Personable, clear, concise with the ability to work a room and develop and maintain strong relationships; Excellent written communication skills; Professional appearance & demeanor are essential; Must work independently with little supervision; Strong work ethic, self-motivated, performance driven, with the ability to set & track daily measurable goals; Able to prioritize well; Highly organized & detail oriented; Pro-active, possessing a positive attitude at all times; Ability to listen, take direction, follow through and multi-task; Must excel under pressure & meet changing requirements in a face-paced environment; Flexible schedule, ability to work nights and weekends as required; Knowledgeable about NYS politics and stays informed of current political news; Proficient computer & research skills; Knowledge of NGP database helpful, but not required; Hours are long and the work is hard but the opportunity to network and learn is incredible; Own Car is preferred.

HOW TO APPLY:
Forward resume, cover letter (which should include political affiliations and leanings), references and salary history. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Qualified candidates will be contacted.

City: Bronx State: NY Region: Northeast Positions Available: 1 [Photo] [Photo]
This job posting will expire in 82 day(s) on 9/08/2007.
Click here if you would like to preview (in another window) the application the employer will see, if you send your application.

For Queens in ’09, Candidates in Spades

For Queens in ’09, Candidates in Spades

Along with nearly all of the county's City Council members seeking promotions to Boro Prez, Public Advocate, Comptroller, or Avella's quixotic Mayoral run, there are staffers already set up to run for city council runs. Shirley Huntley's Chief of staff Rubin Wills and Greg Meeks District office manager Brian Simmons will be running for Leroy Comrie's and James Sanders' seats respectively.

Community activists have also made intentions known such as Phil Goldfeder (community liason for the Mayor's office), David Reisch (city council candidate in 2001), Kevin Forestal (president of advisory council for Queens Hospital Center), will all likely be running for Jim Gennaro's Seat.

Bloomberg running for Prez, & what the candidates are riding around town in

Politics1 - American Politics, Elections, Candidates & Campaigns

Mayor Bloomberg relaunched his campaign website as well as Chuck Hagels' appearence on Face the Nation stating that Bloomberg would be a great candidate to run with in independent run for president.

HYBRIDS: The AP asked the leading Presidential candidates "What car or cars do you drive?" The answers showed a surprising number of hopefuls in both parties said they drove hybrids as their personal vehicles. The hybrid drivers: Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Sam Brownback and Tom Tancredo. Dennis Kucinich drives a compact, but not a hybrid one. Joe Biden drives a classic 1967 Corvette. Mitt Romney prefers a Ford Mustang convertible. Bill Richardson drives a Jeep. Mike Huckabee and Duncan Hunter prefer large SUVs. John McCain and Barack Obama drive luxury sedans. The most surprising answer came from Rudy Giuliani: "I don't drive." No answers were reported from the other hopefuls.

Giuliani's answer is telling of his problem in the GOP primary: he is first and foremost a New Yorker before he is a Republican. If Giuliani and Bloomberg fail in their presidential runs it will occur because the rest of the country is so far behind NYC that the city should start looking into breaking off into a Singapore-like City-State. Maybe the city should keep the counties that lead up to the Canadian border because the Adirondack State park was the idea of a Manhattanite (Teddy Roosevelt) and the city needs the reservoirs in Ulster, Putnam, et al counties. Western NY can be appended to Pennsylvania (if PA wants economically backwards cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse) .

Legislative Correspondence Associaiton Roast

Blacks are unemployed because there are too many broken 40 oz. bottles

Barak Obama speaking to 1199SEIU union staffers and excutive council members had a question posed to him by Kym Platt of askthisblackwoman.com asked the junior senator from Illinois "the African-American community suffer from a large unemployment problem, especially here in New York, what would your adminstration do to solve this problem?"

Barack Obama's response was to state

"that our government has failed them but also there seems to be too many broken 40 oz bottles in the streets."

Sen. Obama pivoted off the racial faux pas by pointing out that in Iowa the problem of unemployment leads to hopelessness as well and that they also turn to drinking. When he finally got around to answering the question he returned to an earlier answer about energy conservation and environmental concerns that would lead to "many new jobs for our young men and women." Obama, in my opinion, did not adequately dodge the racial issue that was couched in the question, nor did he answer the question in anything close to a straight forward manner.

A-ROD $TARRING ON RUDY A-TEAM By MAGGIE HABERMAN and IAN BISHOP - Nationalnews - New York Post Online Edition

A-ROD $TARRING ON RUDY A-TEAM By MAGGIE HABERMAN and IAN BISHOP - Nationalnews - New York Post Online Edition

The over paid Yankee that chokes in any clutch play, is now coming out of the closet as a Republican. It sort of makes sense if you were unreasonable overcompensated for sub-par performance you certainly would not consider yourself a Democrat.

The New York Observer Politicker: Another Legal Hurdle for Eugene?

The New York Observer Politicker: Another Legal Hurdle for Eugene?

Legal pilates for City Council candidate Mathieu Eugene. He created the vacancy that the second special election is being held for so it is being argued that he is ineligible to run for the City Council again, even after he has finally moved into the district.

Anita Daly Clifton Park County Supervisor will be

Looks like Republicans will be forming a firing circle, with longtime former Congressman Sweeney pal Anita Daly facing a primary this upcoming September for her seventh term. The Saratoga Conservative Party has never been to thrilled with Mrs. Daly's flagerant infidelity, and looks like the Clifton Park GOP's general indifference towards female elected offcials (Town Councilwoman Lynda Wolinot was challenger was endorsed by town committee in 2001) is sending the signal that primarying incumbent Anita Daly would be welocomed. Paul Vandenburgh announced the name of the challenger, but I did not recall it by the time I started this post.

Albany Leaders Near Deal on a Budget - New York Times

Albany Leaders Near Deal on a Budget - New York Times

According to my sources, Spitzer's budget opposition (1199 SEIU) have halted their statewide operation. It looks like Spitzer has come to a compromise, State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno realized the budget had to be cut somewhere, Speaker Silver was already pushing for a middle ground. The budget cuts to healthcare will affect 96, 000 healthcare workers compared to the 300,000 as originally feared.

Muslim cab drivers tell airport they won't bend in alcohol dispute - International Herald Tribune

Muslim cab drivers tell airport they won't bend in alcohol dispute - International Herald Tribune

Private business people making decisions based upon their personal religious beliefs to turn down who they provide service to. One side of the ideological aisle outraged by that fact that personal religious beliefs are being imposed on the general public. Am I writing about taxi cab drivers turning down fares... or pharmacists refusing to fill Plan B (emergency contraception) and contraception prescriptions.

A wide range of conservatives have worked themselves up into a fury about Somali Taxi cab drivers in the Twin Cities turning down fares from the airport because of their religious belief in following Sharia law that forbids them to be in the even near alcohol. So Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Michelle Malkin, and paleo-bloggers filled to the rafters have taken aim at these people of faith (just not the right faith in their eyes) with outrage exclaiming "how dare you force sharia law onto us!?!"

Why wouldn't these same paleo-thugs come out and defend the general public in the case of radical christianity being imposed on the general public? The answer: because they are basically dishonest, and lack any integrity. The same way that private businesses cannot deny their products or services based on gender, color, creed or national origin, the taxi cab drivers do not have the the right to withhold services due to their personal belief. If the cab drivers cannot perform the duties that could reasonably be expected of them (until prohibition comes back into fashion includes carrying people after they have stopped in at the airport duty-free shop with a bottle of wine) they should not seek out employment that conflict with their beliefs.

An observant jew should not expect to get a job at Burger King and refuse to touch a cheeseburger or a egg & bacon croisanwich and to continue to hold that job. A Catholic medical student should not do a rotation at a Planned Parenthood with expectation that they can deny their professional obligations to provide less than Pro-Choice medical service. A muslim truck driver cannot be chosey as to what cargo he is hauling (as long its legal). A budhist cannot apply for to be a waiter at Peter Luger's Steakhouse expecting to only be serving tofu.

New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission has spent the last 10-15 years cracking down on taxi drivers that pass on African-American fares, and the same type of crack down should occur in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

Spitzer Eases Up on Tough Talk of a Shutdown - March 27, 2007 - The New York Sun

Spitzer Eases Up on Tough Talk of a Shutdown - March 27, 2007 - The New York Sun

Coming to his senses a little bit Governor Spitzer turns down the steamroller rhetoric, admits the possibility there can be compromise from his plan of take nearly all the money from healthcare and give it to middleclass property cuts and suburban schools, and Senator Joe Bruno's plan giving away the store as if money grows on trees. In my honest estimation I do believe closing the government would play very well in the press for more than 2-3 days. The NY GOP needs some issue to make Spitzer look like the bad guy and the healthcare workers getting screwed by the Governor's budget would be able to mobilize school districts that depend on the budget being on time to form their budget that goes to people to be voted on in late May. When everyone is trapped in their own hyperbole of how horrible the other side is problems never can get solved and Spitzer being the most visable face he will get most of the blame. Joe Bruno and Speaker Silver will never win a popularity contest statewide but they do not need to, they only need half their conference (in the Senate and Assembly repectively).

Spitzer closing up shop to show he has big huevos

IT'S ELIOT'S MOVE - Editorials - New York Post Online Edition

The difference between Clinton's government shut down in 1994 and Spitzer's threat of government shut down next week; they are on opposite sides of the same issue. Spitzer fearful of raising taxes on corporations or the wealthy (which he is) boxes himself into a corner and forced to make the argument that the large aspects of social service are not necessary. Clinton's government shut down showed how much we did need a government which made Newt Gingrich kowtow back to Clinton and open up the government with new taxes on the wealthy that led to the budget surpluses in late 90's. Spitzer should have never made the campaign promise that he would never raise taxes since he has four years in which babyboomers retiring and going to all need social services like Access-a-ride, prescription drug benefits, Medicare and even Medicaid.

Enough with the Ivy League bravado, Eliot, tax the wealthy and give the people of New York the government we deserve.

Charles Hynes is a screwup

Editorials - Opinions - NY Daily News

NY Daily News jumps on the bandwagon to justifiably blame Charles Hynes for not doing his job to protect and serve the people. Hopefully the black establishment backs someone that is more capable than State Senator John Sampson to run against Hynes in 2009. Paul Wooten who had been a candidate in 2005 seemed more than capable to take over the DA's office from Hynes, and he would not be hindered by the traffic on the Marine Parkway Bridge in the morning since he lives in Fort Greene. Brooklyn needs a new DA in 2009, and the demographics of the Democratic Primary almost ensures that the next DA will be black.

P.S. State Senator John Sampson maybe a good senator and if wanted higher officer he probably should run for Brooklyn Boro President, but for god sakes this man should never be a public prosecutor. I saw him on the campaign trail 2005 he never really could speak in complete sentences, and he advocated that if he were elected as DA he would open grand juries to the public. Opening up grand juries to the public is not what a competent lawyer or law student who has taken Con Law would ever propose, since it is clearly stated in the constitution and precedence of common law.

WHAT DID JOE HYNES KNOW?

WHAT DID JOE HYNES KNOW? - Editorials - New York Post Online Edition

Charles "Joe" Hynes incomptence cost the life of young woman who was being stalked by a mentally deranged rapist who had a history of threatening his victim so as she would not testify in court about the rape.

Walsh targeted over war vote

Walsh targeted over war vote

Edwards Campaign to go on despite wife having a recurrance of cancer detected this week

The New York Observer Politicker: Edwards' New York Crew

This probably was quite a relief to latest staffers added just a couple of days ago all from NY

Do OVER!: Candidates file for Brooklyn City Council seat again

Ledger3-21at12am.pdf (application/pdf Object)

These are the candidates that filed for the second special election to fill the Congresswoman Yvette Clark's city council seat.

Mathieu Eugene

Harry L Schiffman

Darly Brutus

Marie Gina Faustin

Wellington Sharpe

You may ask yourself why is there a second special election? The Febuary 20th Special Election for the 40th City Council District was won by Mathieu Eugene to become the first Caribean born elected official in NY and possibly the nation, but he had not actually lived within the district by election day. So now we have the Extra Special election on April 24th. Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes broke precedent and donated $250 to Mathieu Eugene's campaign, which directly the opposite of what he did to John O'Hara in 1996 when his address came into question.

John O'Hara had run against the Brooklyn Democratic establishment in the early 90's and became an annoyance to Charles Hynes so the District Attorney decided to prosecute Mr. O'Hara with misdemeanor of perjury for living at his girlfriends while being registered at an apartment he was still paying rent on several blocks away. Both addresses were within the Assemblyman Brennan's district (the district he ran to represent in Democratic primaries) and yet the Breazy Point, Queens, NY resident DA Hynes felt that O'hara deserved prosecution.

Latest poll may dispel fears of Clinton losing the general

Ohio (OH) Poll * March 22, 2007 * Clinton, Obama, Edwards Run Be - Quinnipiac University

This latest poll of 2004 ultimate battleground state O-HI-O, has former first lady leading America's Mayor Giuliani by 3%. Though within the MOE it shows a big get in the general election for Hillary, since Giuliani is leading the pack of Republicans running for Prez. Ohio along with Arkansas, and maybe Colorado* could all go Hillary's way that didn't go for Kerry or Gore.

*With hosting 2008 Dems Convention and Congressman Mark Udall running for the open US Senate and likely will win due to lack of a bench for the GOP in Colorado.

Sleepers: Life imitates Film

Texas Senate Votes to Fire Youth Board - New York Times

How is this not making it onto cable news for their regular repetition of stories. This far more interesting and affects far more people than Anna Nicole Smith or last year's never ending story Natalie Hollawell disappearing in Aruba. 250 children being molested while being held in juvenile detention. The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) holds 2,700 youth prisoners, 9% of the prison population were repeatedly raped and molested by the prison guards! I am guessing the story is not being reported as much because the children that are being molested are poor and non-white. The news rooms of this nation are entirely off their rocker. The catholic priest scandal that truly broke in the summer 2002 didn't any where nearly as many children sexually abused and certainly not all in the same state.

Republican Jim Walsh: loves when our soldiers are killed

Daily Kos: Republicans fail to learn the Vote Vets lesson; still voting to kill troops


Republicans like James Walsh voted to send our troops to war without proper body armor. Dan Maffei didn't seem to be the guy to take him last November, but in CNY has to do the right thing on behalf of our brave soldiers and send him packing in 2008.

Memory like a Goldfish

President Bush just had press conference stating that the White House will not allow any staff to testify under oath regarding AG Gonzalez firing 8 US District Attorneys for political reasons. Bush stated that the only way protect Executive privilege is never allow White House staff to testify under oath.

Bill Clinton testified via video conference to Whitewater investigation under oath, as well as a good deal of his White House staff. Executive privilege is still intact.

It was in the first months of the Bush Administration that Vice President Cheney chaired the Energy Committe compromised of... right the administration says they have to have unfettered access to people's opinion so they cannot even let out who was actually on the committee or the fragile executive privilege would disappear forever.

If you lived your life as if everything you did or said would appear on the front page of the New York Times, you would never do anything that would embarrass yourself. What does it say about the Bush administration that seems to never want anything it ever does to be in the public light.

If we were to put the Bush administration under the same moral metric that the president puts on the victims of the Patriot Act, that if you do not have anything to hide and nothing improper was done then why be concerned about your staff telling the truth under oath.

Putting Students First - March 19, 2007 - The New York Sun

Putting Students First - March 19, 2007 - The New York Sun

So after being endorsed by 1199 just about a year ago, Spitzer is willing and able to leave the union and its members out to dry. You think that SEIU 1199 would have been so eager to push Spizter had they known that they would have made out to be the enemy in Spitzer's very first budget.

What of the rest of organized labor's bretheren? No other union is even attempting to put the squeeze on Spitzer or other state elected officials. This New York Sun article spells it out succinctly that next year the teachers union will be on the chopping block as Spitzer builds his street cred for being brass-balled-take-no-prisoner-tough. Spitzer for all his ivy league bravado fails see that weakening the bulwarks of the progressive establishment in New York State, weakens his own base.

To paraphrase Martin Niemöller
When Spitzer came for the Healthcare workers,I remained silent;I was not a I did not work in hospital. When Spitzer locked out the teachers, I remained silent; I was not a teacher.When Spitzer came for me,there was no one left to speak out.

United Press International - Consumer Health - Report: College substance abuse rampant

United Press International - Consumer Health - Report: College substance abuse rampant

23% of full time college students abusing illegal drugs and the mindless Rockerfeller Drug laws should mean that District Attorneys all across New York State should find some chutzpah and bring it home to lily-white suburbanites parents that it is their kids and their money that fuel the drug trade. Rockerfeller Drug Laws would fall within a week if New York County DA Morgenthau arrested & prosecuted the Olsen twins, or Albany County DA David Soares arrested 20% of the SUNY Albany campus. Soares being a strong opponent of the Rockerfeller drug laws should be looking at this as a great opportunity push this issue to the forefront of public policy.

New NY State Comptroller... in the closet

From my sources that knew Tom DiNapoli from High School, the new State Comptroller is gay. This is entirely just crass gossip, but it must irk Sean Patrick Maloney if true since Maloney ran last year as a ground breaking first openly gay statewide official.

New York Politics Capitol Confidential : Albany Times Union : timesunion.com : Capitol confidential » DiNapoli Responds

New York Politics Capitol Confidential : Albany Times Union : timesunion.com : Capitol confidential » DiNapoli Responds

So DiNapoli is going to be the new Comptroller, this is a sign of how much control Silver has over that actual workings of the state. Spitzer wants to be seen as the steamroller but he just got rolled, as DiNapoli was not on Spitzer's committee search list, and DiNapoli came from silver's democratic conference without any discernible financial background or competency other than keeping his personal checkbook balance.