ROCHESTER - New Year's is a great time. There is the chance to reflect on the past year, and a chance to start over again. In this tradition people often create resolutions as promises to do things better than the year before. Since I am perfect and need no such tune ups (where is all that laughter coming from?), I have decided to play the role of butt-inski and suggest some resolutions for others.
Ted Kennedy - to continue to fight both your brain tumor and for national health care. My prayers are with you, as always.
Dennis Kucinich - to continue to be the old school liberal and courageous visionary that you are.
Maggie Brooks - to tell the truth about your taxing and budgeting issues for once. Not every problem is created by the State of New York or the powerless county leg. Democrat minority.
Bob Duffy - to stick to your budgeting guns. Questioning contracts can make enemies, but asking questions is fair and sometimes very helpful. Informed decisions are better than status quo.
Governor Paterson - to stick to your budgeting guns. New York needs to change its spending habits and this crisis is the opportunity for real reform.
Ralph Wilson - to pay a coach a decent wage. If you aren't willing to pay for a top coach, you won't get one. Don't fire Jauron to replace him with another mid level guy. Put up or shut up.
The Amerks - to keep working hard and fight more. We Rochesterians appreciate an undermanned team if you work hard and play with passion.
New Yorkers - to take a deep breath and read a national newspaper. Illinois is much more dysfunctional than we are, so quit calling us the worst in the nation. We are not.
2009 looks to be an eventful year. After all, we will have a new president, a new senator and maybe even a new majority in the county legislature. Economic woes will continue downward, but as a certain fictional DA told us in Dark Knight, 'The night is always darkest before dawn. The dawn is coming.' I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year's.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Random Thoughts
ROCHESTER - Time for more random thoughts. Maybe because it is Monday, or maybe because it is the holiday season, I am even more incoherent than usual (that's pretty incoherent). Anyway, stuff happens and time for my take.
1. Genesee beer, uh, I mean High Falls Brewing, has won more awards. Genny itself got a gold, Honey Brown got a gold and Dundee Porter snagged a bronze. Too bad Genny is still a well kept secret in town. Does Bud feel ignored in St. Louis? Cheers to the best beer company on Earth, keep making great Genny and I will keep the hometown pride alive.
2. Maggie Brooks is still a terrible leader. She can't add, she can't spin, she pretty much can't do anything. Except try to push blame for her miserable policies on either the state or Dems in the county leg. The County's (really the GOP's) obsession with flat tax rates and or levies (whichever is more convenient at the time) has killed us. Yet she refuses to face reality and fix the structural budgetary issues. I am guessing there are enough one shot revenue sources to get her to the next election year and let Dinolfo try to figure it out (or try to try to figure it out).
3. Speaking of elections, the City has a few this year, including Mayor, 5 at large city council seats and 3 school board seats. Here is the early scoop: Duffy will win re-election. Yup, pretty big limb I am out on right now, but hey, you gotta risk big to win big. In reality, the council will be an interesting melee as usual. Carolee Conklin deserves to be the top vote getter for her continued and diligent service to our city. I expect that Dana Miller and Bill Pritchard should also cruise to well deserved victories. Gladys Santiago will also win handily. The real fun will be seeing how John Lightfoot fares. His DWI case made some headlines and upset some people. But come election time, will it matter? School Board also tends to be a bit of a free for all, and with Brizard making some great progress, this may be a meaningful moment for our schools. I hope that we get the chance to choose from the best and the brightest.
4. Oh, the Bills. Bills, Bills, Bills. What are we going to do with you? Losing is one thing. That is pretty much par for the course now. Do you have to elevate us just enough to bring us down? Not sure the lads from Tool were Bills fans when they dropped that lyric, but it sure fits doesn't it? And don't "Bills" up the place by winning the remaining games to lower the draft pick. Lose so we can get a pass rushing defensive end.
5. In what will likely be his signature video clip, the Leader of the Free World had not one, but two shoes thrown at him. The Iraqi reporter was likely acting out a fantasy common for Americans as they sit in front of their TV sets. I have two questions though. How in the world does a guy who throws a shoe get the opportunity to get off a second throw? I hope some secret service guys got fired for that. Second, will the holidays at the Bushes become a debate over which President Bush has the better chance at winning America's Funniest Home Videos? I would vote for HW and his vomiting, but I am fairly immature.
1. Genesee beer, uh, I mean High Falls Brewing, has won more awards. Genny itself got a gold, Honey Brown got a gold and Dundee Porter snagged a bronze. Too bad Genny is still a well kept secret in town. Does Bud feel ignored in St. Louis? Cheers to the best beer company on Earth, keep making great Genny and I will keep the hometown pride alive.
2. Maggie Brooks is still a terrible leader. She can't add, she can't spin, she pretty much can't do anything. Except try to push blame for her miserable policies on either the state or Dems in the county leg. The County's (really the GOP's) obsession with flat tax rates and or levies (whichever is more convenient at the time) has killed us. Yet she refuses to face reality and fix the structural budgetary issues. I am guessing there are enough one shot revenue sources to get her to the next election year and let Dinolfo try to figure it out (or try to try to figure it out).
3. Speaking of elections, the City has a few this year, including Mayor, 5 at large city council seats and 3 school board seats. Here is the early scoop: Duffy will win re-election. Yup, pretty big limb I am out on right now, but hey, you gotta risk big to win big. In reality, the council will be an interesting melee as usual. Carolee Conklin deserves to be the top vote getter for her continued and diligent service to our city. I expect that Dana Miller and Bill Pritchard should also cruise to well deserved victories. Gladys Santiago will also win handily. The real fun will be seeing how John Lightfoot fares. His DWI case made some headlines and upset some people. But come election time, will it matter? School Board also tends to be a bit of a free for all, and with Brizard making some great progress, this may be a meaningful moment for our schools. I hope that we get the chance to choose from the best and the brightest.
4. Oh, the Bills. Bills, Bills, Bills. What are we going to do with you? Losing is one thing. That is pretty much par for the course now. Do you have to elevate us just enough to bring us down? Not sure the lads from Tool were Bills fans when they dropped that lyric, but it sure fits doesn't it? And don't "Bills" up the place by winning the remaining games to lower the draft pick. Lose so we can get a pass rushing defensive end.
5. In what will likely be his signature video clip, the Leader of the Free World had not one, but two shoes thrown at him. The Iraqi reporter was likely acting out a fantasy common for Americans as they sit in front of their TV sets. I have two questions though. How in the world does a guy who throws a shoe get the opportunity to get off a second throw? I hope some secret service guys got fired for that. Second, will the holidays at the Bushes become a debate over which President Bush has the better chance at winning America's Funniest Home Videos? I would vote for HW and his vomiting, but I am fairly immature.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
My Superintendent, The Hero
ROCHESTER - I am no fan of the Democrat and Chronicle's wishy-washy editorials. They tend to state both sides of issues and offer no actual solutions, but often criticize solutions others have offered. When they took on the hot topic of the Rochester City School District's new Code of Discipline, I chose to read wondering what insight they would offer. Instead of taking on the actual code, however, I was surprised to read that they were not taking issue with the actual content of the code, but rather the manner it was created, or maybe stolen from New York City! Gasp! The piece even admits that there was a reference to the source, but it wasn't clear enough. Considering the issues surrounding our city district and the issues going on in the world at large, I couldn't believe my eyes that this was somehow deemed newsworthy. Why is it not?
1. Our Superintendent, Jean-Claude Brizard, was previously employed in New York City.
2. Brizard was employed in the New York City School District. In fact, he was there when it was developed and enacted.
3. If it worked in NYC, it may work here. Their district faces many similar challenges as ours.
4. Oh, yeah. THEY DID REFERENCE THE FACT THEY TOOK IDEAS FROM NEW YORK!!!
So, to my delight, SUPER-Intendent Brizard (as he done admirably all along) stood up and said something. He called out the D and C (to their credit, I guess, they printed it) and did so wonderfully and with just a little sarcasm. He pointed out some of the obvious points I made above and then some. Thus, Brizard is my new hero. Brizard has taken this job and ran with it, and I think we are all going to see what a great job he is doing. We are lucky to have Brizard running our schools and I wish him continued success.
1. Our Superintendent, Jean-Claude Brizard, was previously employed in New York City.
2. Brizard was employed in the New York City School District. In fact, he was there when it was developed and enacted.
3. If it worked in NYC, it may work here. Their district faces many similar challenges as ours.
4. Oh, yeah. THEY DID REFERENCE THE FACT THEY TOOK IDEAS FROM NEW YORK!!!
So, to my delight, SUPER-Intendent Brizard (as he done admirably all along) stood up and said something. He called out the D and C (to their credit, I guess, they printed it) and did so wonderfully and with just a little sarcasm. He pointed out some of the obvious points I made above and then some. Thus, Brizard is my new hero. Brizard has taken this job and ran with it, and I think we are all going to see what a great job he is doing. We are lucky to have Brizard running our schools and I wish him continued success.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
While We're Spending....
ROCHESTER - The federal government has become the parents to deadbeat adult children. Between the airline industry, the financial sector, and, now, the auto industry, they just can't find a way to leave the nest. Under our wonderful free market and global economy, our American (and crappy) companies can't stay solvent. They offer inferior products, services and advice and consumers avoid them. They respond with absolute greed, and naturally, that doesn't help either. So they ask for bailouts. Ma and Pa Fed give a lecture about straightening up and flying right, but in the end hand over the cash. So they don't learn. They eat for a day and for another fish tomorrow. In the new economy, America has become bi-polar. We give money to the airlines because we need to travel. We don't give money to the auto industry because they are in their own mess. We give money to the banks so our economy won't collapse. We don't give money to taxpayers because they can borrow from the newly monied banks. Does anyone else notice a logical disconnect?
I do and it tears me apart. My tendency is to tell all private companies to go screw. If you aren't making money it is your own fault. Business people say that all the time. Or they say that if the government was run more like a business, it would be better. Oh, really? Who is more bankrupt, General Motors or the Office of General Services? As a capitalist, I don't like giving public money to some private companies. That is cronyism and bordering on fascism. I would prefer giving public money to all private companies, but that is communism. But if we are to bail out one industry, why not another? We should bail out all or none, it is only fair.
Since we already bailed out others, why not bail out the auto industry? If we are going to fight wars, we need to have some factories open somewhere with bosses that owe us a favor, just in case we need it. And while we are cashing in favors, we can demand that they provide better gas mileage and better value, so the American companies can compete with foreign ones. We can give them a fish and teach them to fish and solve long term and short term goals at the same time. In addition, the auto industry offers real jobs that have real effect on communities. Bailing out the banks in a sense rewards the jerks that used pyramid schemes with our money. The auto bailout will benefit the auto worker actually produces something.
If we are going to bail people out, bail everyone out. It is not fair to pick and choose who deserves to be bailed out, because in the end, none of them do.
The feds are already up to their eyes in debt. Why not throw a little more on the pile?
I do and it tears me apart. My tendency is to tell all private companies to go screw. If you aren't making money it is your own fault. Business people say that all the time. Or they say that if the government was run more like a business, it would be better. Oh, really? Who is more bankrupt, General Motors or the Office of General Services? As a capitalist, I don't like giving public money to some private companies. That is cronyism and bordering on fascism. I would prefer giving public money to all private companies, but that is communism. But if we are to bail out one industry, why not another? We should bail out all or none, it is only fair.
Since we already bailed out others, why not bail out the auto industry? If we are going to fight wars, we need to have some factories open somewhere with bosses that owe us a favor, just in case we need it. And while we are cashing in favors, we can demand that they provide better gas mileage and better value, so the American companies can compete with foreign ones. We can give them a fish and teach them to fish and solve long term and short term goals at the same time. In addition, the auto industry offers real jobs that have real effect on communities. Bailing out the banks in a sense rewards the jerks that used pyramid schemes with our money. The auto bailout will benefit the auto worker actually produces something.
If we are going to bail people out, bail everyone out. It is not fair to pick and choose who deserves to be bailed out, because in the end, none of them do.
The feds are already up to their eyes in debt. Why not throw a little more on the pile?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Long Island is Upstate
ROCHESTER - The worst use of my ears by candidates this year was Senator Joe Robach telling my neighborhood association that if we flip the State Senate to Democrat, downstaters will control everything. Guess what? They do already! I am not sure what map Robach, the Democrat and Chronicle, and other Republican toadies are using, but Dean Skelos is from Long Island, which to me, is considered downstate. In fact, downstaters consider Long Island downstate. So if Senate Republicans buy their influence back, the Senate will be left with Long Islander Dean Skelos ruling. On my map, Long Island is further away from Rochester than Harlem, Lower Manhattan and Queens. To sum up, flip, no flip, downstate holds the power. Which has a certain logic to it anyway considering that is where a great majority of our fellow New Yorkers live. Monroe County wouldn't let Chili run the County, would they?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Vice Presidential LP
ROCHESTER - Two related topics to cover here one a VP hopeful and one an ex-VP hopeful. So, in honor of the upcoming appearance of Riders on the Storm (featuring original Doors members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek) in Rochester, I offer two 'sides' to this blog LP, inspired by the Doors' best studio album, Morrison Hotel.
SIDE A-Hard Rock Cafe-If Joe Lieberman was in the mafia instead of politics, he would be sleeping with the fishes. Or at least he should be. Right now he has turned informant, and will become a man with no country. I don't think he can ever be accepted by the Republicans, and I don't think he can ever regain the trust of Democrats. His speech was little more than a holier than thou enterprise to a lukewarm audience. Telling a distinctly partisan crowd the benefits of being non-partisan is a little silly at best. Sure, we all like a kiss ass. They tell us things we want to hear. But who believes or trusts a kiss ass? No one. Explaining his Michael Moore joke was downright sad and completely unnecessary. The crowd got it Joe, it just wasn't that funny. I can see why Al Gore chose this guy though, as he makes Gore look like Bill Clinton.
SIDE B-Morrison Hotel-Oh those hypocritical Republicans! For a party that once touted (correctly) George H.W. Bush as the 'longest resume in the West', Governor Sarah Palin is an interesting choice as certainly she has the shortest resume in the country. Not that VPs win or lose elections (as the aforementioned Bush proves), but I think they can have some effect if they are either really good choices, or really poor ones. I think Palin is the latter. For one, if they are to hammer Obama for being inexperienced, how can they have someone with less experience than he on their ticket? Furthermore, she is from a small town in a small (population wise) state. If she had been governor of California, Texas, New York or Pennsylvania, that might be okay. But two years in Alaska isn't too impressive, and I am not alone in thinking so. Add to that she has investigative baggage. She may or may not have abused her gubernatorial powers, but the fact she is under investigation should send the Republicans running away. I also don't buy her as a maverick. Fred Thompson says she stood up to the special interests in Alaska. Am I the only one that hasn't a clue to what that means? Dog sledders? Loggers? Crabbers? Honestly, I don't know. It could be true (although mixed in with Thompson's fragmented 1980's style stump speech doesn't give it great credence), but it sounds too generic for my taste. Just for good measure, she is tangled up in questionable lobbying and earmark practices, maybe including support for the famed 'Bridge to Nowhere.' I don't doubt this stuff came up when they searched her background, and altogether they amount to a whole lot, but with these flaws she was still the best choice? It begs the question, exactly how many candidates said no to McCain first?
I am glad Republicans are trying to be progressive, and I could care less about her family's personal issues, but I think she is a stretch for a party so adept at playing it safe. I just hope the debate centers around her amazing inexperience and avoids the tabloid junk that can give her sympathy. I also hope the media and country see McCain for what he really is, a power hungry kiss ass, trying to say what you want to hear until he gets what he wants.
SIDE A-Hard Rock Cafe-If Joe Lieberman was in the mafia instead of politics, he would be sleeping with the fishes. Or at least he should be. Right now he has turned informant, and will become a man with no country. I don't think he can ever be accepted by the Republicans, and I don't think he can ever regain the trust of Democrats. His speech was little more than a holier than thou enterprise to a lukewarm audience. Telling a distinctly partisan crowd the benefits of being non-partisan is a little silly at best. Sure, we all like a kiss ass. They tell us things we want to hear. But who believes or trusts a kiss ass? No one. Explaining his Michael Moore joke was downright sad and completely unnecessary. The crowd got it Joe, it just wasn't that funny. I can see why Al Gore chose this guy though, as he makes Gore look like Bill Clinton.
SIDE B-Morrison Hotel-Oh those hypocritical Republicans! For a party that once touted (correctly) George H.W. Bush as the 'longest resume in the West', Governor Sarah Palin is an interesting choice as certainly she has the shortest resume in the country. Not that VPs win or lose elections (as the aforementioned Bush proves), but I think they can have some effect if they are either really good choices, or really poor ones. I think Palin is the latter. For one, if they are to hammer Obama for being inexperienced, how can they have someone with less experience than he on their ticket? Furthermore, she is from a small town in a small (population wise) state. If she had been governor of California, Texas, New York or Pennsylvania, that might be okay. But two years in Alaska isn't too impressive, and I am not alone in thinking so. Add to that she has investigative baggage. She may or may not have abused her gubernatorial powers, but the fact she is under investigation should send the Republicans running away. I also don't buy her as a maverick. Fred Thompson says she stood up to the special interests in Alaska. Am I the only one that hasn't a clue to what that means? Dog sledders? Loggers? Crabbers? Honestly, I don't know. It could be true (although mixed in with Thompson's fragmented 1980's style stump speech doesn't give it great credence), but it sounds too generic for my taste. Just for good measure, she is tangled up in questionable lobbying and earmark practices, maybe including support for the famed 'Bridge to Nowhere.' I don't doubt this stuff came up when they searched her background, and altogether they amount to a whole lot, but with these flaws she was still the best choice? It begs the question, exactly how many candidates said no to McCain first?
I am glad Republicans are trying to be progressive, and I could care less about her family's personal issues, but I think she is a stretch for a party so adept at playing it safe. I just hope the debate centers around her amazing inexperience and avoids the tabloid junk that can give her sympathy. I also hope the media and country see McCain for what he really is, a power hungry kiss ass, trying to say what you want to hear until he gets what he wants.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Kucinich Rockin' the Rockies
ROCHESTER - I wish it started DENVER after watching Dennis Kucinich's speech at the Democratic National Convention. If you read my blog you know about my devotion (man crush, maybe?) to the gentleman from Cleveland, but unless you are heartless and or wealthy, his speech yesterday has to rile you up. Since you missed it, and I know you did because they did not air it on national TV, nor did the major news channels even include clips of his speech in their highlight reels, here is the link from youtube, a surprising frontrunner in saving our democracy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n9rOpC4gNk
Despite channeling Christopher Walken towards the end, Kucinich kept at his normal populist themes of fair trade, universal health care, no war, and education for all. He implores America to 'wake up' and see that we can not afford 4 more years of failed Republican policy. He contrasts the profiteering of oil and defense companies to the struggles of Middle America. He points out the 'Neo-con artists' manipulation of 9/11 to steal our freedoms and line their pockets with green. Kucinich showed his passion and heart, and why he is a truly great Democrat.
Despite channeling Christopher Walken towards the end, Kucinich kept at his normal populist themes of fair trade, universal health care, no war, and education for all. He implores America to 'wake up' and see that we can not afford 4 more years of failed Republican policy. He contrasts the profiteering of oil and defense companies to the struggles of Middle America. He points out the 'Neo-con artists' manipulation of 9/11 to steal our freedoms and line their pockets with green. Kucinich showed his passion and heart, and why he is a truly great Democrat.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Random Thoughts
ROCHESTER - The political world is a fun one right now. So much scandal, so many decisions to be made and all levels are in the news.
1. Clearly Tom Golisano thinks poorly of Albany politicians. He has endorsed "Baby" Joe Mesi's candidacy for state senate. That is right. Mr. G believes that a guy who gets punched in the head for a living is qualified to help run our state. Actually, he no longer gets punched in the face for a living because the Nevada Boxing Commission won't let him because of BRAIN BLEEDING. So his head is too messed up to box, yet he can solve Albany?
2. Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo is a menace to society. She allows (yes, the actions of those under your employ reflect on you) residents' social security numbers to be posted online on the County Clerk's website. Her opponent calls her out on it and she claims politics. Uhh, do your job.
3. Vice presidential sweepstakes are at a fever pitch. I hope Obama goes for Kucinich. I know he won't, so I don't really care. Joe Biden would be funny, though. McCain can't find anyone to balance his ticket because he is on every side of every issue.
4. My new favorite athlete is Bolt of Jamaica. He is fun to watch and he is not Michael Phelps. I like Phelps' Baltimoreness, but I am sick of the hype. He is a swimmer. Win a decathlon and then you can be the greatest Olympian.
5. Lastly, Buffalo Assemblyman Sam Hoyt has no game, but won't likely pay for it. He may be a penguin boxer wearin', toe nail paintin', intern nailin' scumbag, but in a primary, he only has to convince half of people who are predisposed to liking him he shouldn't lose his job over marriage infidelity. Oh well.
1. Clearly Tom Golisano thinks poorly of Albany politicians. He has endorsed "Baby" Joe Mesi's candidacy for state senate. That is right. Mr. G believes that a guy who gets punched in the head for a living is qualified to help run our state. Actually, he no longer gets punched in the face for a living because the Nevada Boxing Commission won't let him because of BRAIN BLEEDING. So his head is too messed up to box, yet he can solve Albany?
2. Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo is a menace to society. She allows (yes, the actions of those under your employ reflect on you) residents' social security numbers to be posted online on the County Clerk's website. Her opponent calls her out on it and she claims politics. Uhh, do your job.
3. Vice presidential sweepstakes are at a fever pitch. I hope Obama goes for Kucinich. I know he won't, so I don't really care. Joe Biden would be funny, though. McCain can't find anyone to balance his ticket because he is on every side of every issue.
4. My new favorite athlete is Bolt of Jamaica. He is fun to watch and he is not Michael Phelps. I like Phelps' Baltimoreness, but I am sick of the hype. He is a swimmer. Win a decathlon and then you can be the greatest Olympian.
5. Lastly, Buffalo Assemblyman Sam Hoyt has no game, but won't likely pay for it. He may be a penguin boxer wearin', toe nail paintin', intern nailin' scumbag, but in a primary, he only has to convince half of people who are predisposed to liking him he shouldn't lose his job over marriage infidelity. Oh well.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Amazing Vision of a Blind Man
ROCHESTER - Leave it to New York's status quo culture to create an environment where the leading visionary in the state is a blind man. The legally blind leading the metaphorically blind, as it were. Governor Paterson has shown courage and wisdom since being thrust into the Governor's office. The accidental Governor has shown us that he can lead the state and tackle issues deemed too politically dangerous in the past. Aren't we lucky? We should be counting our blessings, but the coming months will prove whether or not we are willing to grin and bear it or not.
For years New Yorkers have complained about Albany's high taxing and big spending ways. People have paid lip service to correcting that, but it never happens. Lip service seems to be enough though, for New Yorkers, as we float along in the River Status Quo. We re-elect our leaders left and right because they say the right things, but far too many are content to say the right things and do the wrong things. Finally, a true leader has stepped up and promised to give us what we want. Massive cuts and less spending. Do we really want this? We shall see. It will be an adjustment for many and a shock for others.
Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy noted that every time the city tries to cut something, people come out of the woodwork to protest it. It seems that maybe we don't want to 'cut up NY's credit cards', as our fearless Governor proposed. Our Governor is right though, we have to. It is the only way. There was a time when we could afford to spend recklessly. Even recently there was a time when we could afford to spend somewhat lavishly. Those times are not now. We all have to suck it up and deal with more state level 800 hot lines, longer DMV lines, and more potholes on the Thruway. We will have to force our not-for-profits to go without the giant checks our elected officials like to give out. We may even have to force private companies to get back to good ol' capitalism instead of blackmailing the government for tax breaks.
Times get tough for governments like they do for families. We have to learn to say 'no' and I am happy to see our Governor showing courage in doing so. Many interests, many of them very powerful, will be lining up to take shots at him. He knows this and he is taking a stand anyway. He is also displaying his wisdom, because many political proposals do little but treat the symptoms of our problems in New York. Paterson is looking long term and trying to cure the disease, so that we may be healthier longer into the future. We are lucky to have Paterson as our Governor because with his vision, he will save us all.
For years New Yorkers have complained about Albany's high taxing and big spending ways. People have paid lip service to correcting that, but it never happens. Lip service seems to be enough though, for New Yorkers, as we float along in the River Status Quo. We re-elect our leaders left and right because they say the right things, but far too many are content to say the right things and do the wrong things. Finally, a true leader has stepped up and promised to give us what we want. Massive cuts and less spending. Do we really want this? We shall see. It will be an adjustment for many and a shock for others.
Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy noted that every time the city tries to cut something, people come out of the woodwork to protest it. It seems that maybe we don't want to 'cut up NY's credit cards', as our fearless Governor proposed. Our Governor is right though, we have to. It is the only way. There was a time when we could afford to spend recklessly. Even recently there was a time when we could afford to spend somewhat lavishly. Those times are not now. We all have to suck it up and deal with more state level 800 hot lines, longer DMV lines, and more potholes on the Thruway. We will have to force our not-for-profits to go without the giant checks our elected officials like to give out. We may even have to force private companies to get back to good ol' capitalism instead of blackmailing the government for tax breaks.
Times get tough for governments like they do for families. We have to learn to say 'no' and I am happy to see our Governor showing courage in doing so. Many interests, many of them very powerful, will be lining up to take shots at him. He knows this and he is taking a stand anyway. He is also displaying his wisdom, because many political proposals do little but treat the symptoms of our problems in New York. Paterson is looking long term and trying to cure the disease, so that we may be healthier longer into the future. We are lucky to have Paterson as our Governor because with his vision, he will save us all.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Reality TV in Rochester
ROCHESTER - Unfortunately Lou Gramm is not starting a show called 'Juke Box Hero' loaded with dumb ass contestants desperately trying to make a name for themselves. This reality TV comes courtesy of the Rochester Police Department. All out of ideas for combating crime, they have turned to Big Brother, and yes, he will be watching.
It is a sad day for a community as innovative and charitable that we have turned to watching people 24/7 because we can not stop crime. This is not the fault of the police, let me be clear. By segregating our city we have created areas of abject poverty. We all share the blame for this. The people who actually take the blame, however, are elected officials and the police. The distracted public looks for the short and easy answer. Never mind the fact it took half a generation to get us to this point. The public demands it be fixed overnight.
As a result, we get things like Zero Tolerance, Project Exile, curfews and now cameras. As we attempt to cure the symptoms, the disease ravages on. I think these ideas are somewhat lazy, even if sometimes somewhat successful. We need long term solutions to solve problems that are created over long periods of time. The idea of cameras strikes me as a complete lack of creativity and will power. As if we have given up. We can't prevent crime, but if we catch it on tape, we can lock someone up for it. I don't like the idea that innocent citizens are being watched along with their nefarious neighbors. Don't tell me that if you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide. Going to the bathroom is legal, it doesn't mean I want someone to film me. But more realistically, do you want an officer to show up at midnight and ask to search your house for illegal stuff?
Watching the news the other night, though, softened my absolute disgust for policing cameras. The residents looked delighted to have them. They were excited about the possibility of having safer streets. I realized, my neighborhood is very safe, and I never feel any anxiety or fear about being out after dark, or that others hanging out are actually up to no good. I am lucky for that. I don't know what it is like to live without confidence in my neighborhood, and therefore I can not judge tactics employed in those areas. The woman's face lit up knowing that her street was getting cameras. She said she would once again feel safe walking at night, and she was happy with that.
I still feel that cameras are not a solution to crime. We need to reach for affordable housing, better and more jobs, and improving the access to and quality of public education. If we can improve on those fronts, crime will go down. If it helps people feel safer than before, however, I will have to accept them as band aids.
It is a sad day for a community as innovative and charitable that we have turned to watching people 24/7 because we can not stop crime. This is not the fault of the police, let me be clear. By segregating our city we have created areas of abject poverty. We all share the blame for this. The people who actually take the blame, however, are elected officials and the police. The distracted public looks for the short and easy answer. Never mind the fact it took half a generation to get us to this point. The public demands it be fixed overnight.
As a result, we get things like Zero Tolerance, Project Exile, curfews and now cameras. As we attempt to cure the symptoms, the disease ravages on. I think these ideas are somewhat lazy, even if sometimes somewhat successful. We need long term solutions to solve problems that are created over long periods of time. The idea of cameras strikes me as a complete lack of creativity and will power. As if we have given up. We can't prevent crime, but if we catch it on tape, we can lock someone up for it. I don't like the idea that innocent citizens are being watched along with their nefarious neighbors. Don't tell me that if you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide. Going to the bathroom is legal, it doesn't mean I want someone to film me. But more realistically, do you want an officer to show up at midnight and ask to search your house for illegal stuff?
Watching the news the other night, though, softened my absolute disgust for policing cameras. The residents looked delighted to have them. They were excited about the possibility of having safer streets. I realized, my neighborhood is very safe, and I never feel any anxiety or fear about being out after dark, or that others hanging out are actually up to no good. I am lucky for that. I don't know what it is like to live without confidence in my neighborhood, and therefore I can not judge tactics employed in those areas. The woman's face lit up knowing that her street was getting cameras. She said she would once again feel safe walking at night, and she was happy with that.
I still feel that cameras are not a solution to crime. We need to reach for affordable housing, better and more jobs, and improving the access to and quality of public education. If we can improve on those fronts, crime will go down. If it helps people feel safer than before, however, I will have to accept them as band aids.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Good For Paterson
ROCHESTER - God Bless David Paterson! Finally a true leader steps up for ALL New Yorkers and directs state agencies to recognize same sex marriages. This should be law and New York should be allowing municipalities to perform them as well, but let us celebrate the battle before continuing the war.
Not allowing two consenting adults to marry on the basis of sexual orientation is discrimination and immoral. It is not 'more complicated' than that. The State is allowed to step on religion's toes all it wants because the two don't answer to each other. I don't care if the church of some saint won't perform a ceremony (that is their right as a private club), but every city hall government that can perform weddings, must.
If you use an ancient religious text as the basis for a modern argument, you are in trouble. I don't think I need to list the accepted 'outdated' readings, but if some can be ignored, all can be ignored. Don't take the 'high' road with me selectively. If you think same sex marriage is wrong because of the Bible, then, logically, you must believe slavery and human sacrifice are acceptable.
Lastly, marriage is a wonderful institution. It is a bond shared between two people who are in love. We should be promoting marriage, not denying it. The less people are married, the more marriage becomes socially irrelevant.
I don't mean for this to be some anger filled, bitter rant against religion. Some churches are at the forefront of civil rights history and continue to be there. Others used to be progressive, yet have lost their way. The Bible tells me that one should fight injustice, help others that need help, and judge no one. I think most people would agree they get similar lessons. Let us use religion as a unifying force, not a divisive one, as a select few would do.
Not allowing two consenting adults to marry on the basis of sexual orientation is discrimination and immoral. It is not 'more complicated' than that. The State is allowed to step on religion's toes all it wants because the two don't answer to each other. I don't care if the church of some saint won't perform a ceremony (that is their right as a private club), but every city hall government that can perform weddings, must.
If you use an ancient religious text as the basis for a modern argument, you are in trouble. I don't think I need to list the accepted 'outdated' readings, but if some can be ignored, all can be ignored. Don't take the 'high' road with me selectively. If you think same sex marriage is wrong because of the Bible, then, logically, you must believe slavery and human sacrifice are acceptable.
Lastly, marriage is a wonderful institution. It is a bond shared between two people who are in love. We should be promoting marriage, not denying it. The less people are married, the more marriage becomes socially irrelevant.
I don't mean for this to be some anger filled, bitter rant against religion. Some churches are at the forefront of civil rights history and continue to be there. Others used to be progressive, yet have lost their way. The Bible tells me that one should fight injustice, help others that need help, and judge no one. I think most people would agree they get similar lessons. Let us use religion as a unifying force, not a divisive one, as a select few would do.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Random Thoughts: May 20th
ROCHESTER - Like I promised, every now and again I create curiosities for myself, or quick thoughts, that aren't exactly suited for full blown rants. This is another small offering of random thoughts:
1. Does Bush even care if we catch Osama bin Laden? I am guessing no, and I am also guessing that John McCain doesn't either.
2. Shouldn't the media be asking why we can't catch bin Laden? Oops, I forgot, the media is conservative and do all they can to protect themselves by protecting Republicans.
3. Why are people obsessed with Hillary dropping out before convention? Isn't that what conventions are for, to figure this stuff out?
4. Cheers to Rochester's Tim Redding for helping Brian Gionta, Ryan Callahan and Abby Wambach for giving us some hometown heroes to root for on the national sports scene.
5. Lastly, all my prayers go out to my hero, Senator Ted Kennedy. Looks like he is recovering well from seizures suffered over the weekend. You know he will be the first to point out that every American should get the kind of health care he received, which likely helped minimize the effects of the seizures.
1. Does Bush even care if we catch Osama bin Laden? I am guessing no, and I am also guessing that John McCain doesn't either.
2. Shouldn't the media be asking why we can't catch bin Laden? Oops, I forgot, the media is conservative and do all they can to protect themselves by protecting Republicans.
3. Why are people obsessed with Hillary dropping out before convention? Isn't that what conventions are for, to figure this stuff out?
4. Cheers to Rochester's Tim Redding for helping Brian Gionta, Ryan Callahan and Abby Wambach for giving us some hometown heroes to root for on the national sports scene.
5. Lastly, all my prayers go out to my hero, Senator Ted Kennedy. Looks like he is recovering well from seizures suffered over the weekend. You know he will be the first to point out that every American should get the kind of health care he received, which likely helped minimize the effects of the seizures.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
New Yorkers Need Priorities
ROCHESTER - It is expensive to live and do business in New York State. I know that and you know that. But is cracking down on Dan Gundersen's eating and meeting habits going to fix that? No. For the yet to be informed, the Democrat and Chronicle ran an article today about the 'questionable' spending habits of our Upstate Economic Czar, Dan Gundersen. He has wined and dined business leaders, local economic development leaders, and other local officials. Gosh darn it, he even paid to leave his car parked in Buffalo, not too far from his office (where presumably parking is free and doesn't put money into the economy)! We New Yorkers need to get our priorities straight. We have bigger fish to fry, but bigger fish are hard work, so, I guess, let's pick on the guppy.
I understand the underlying issue with Gundersen's use of the State credit card. If every official spent $400 to treat 10 people to dinner in Watertown, the State would be broke. Unfortunately, we are already broke, and $400 is not going to fix that. Keeping all government in the sunshine is a good thing and maybe in the future Gundersen makes the Commander at Fort Drum cover the tip because he doesn't want the entire State to know he is an overgenerous tipper (who says one man can't refuel Upstate!).
The real hypocrisy will always come from the private sector, of course. Government is always being told it would be better run as a private company. Hopefully not like Enron or GM, but whatever. Let's pretend for a second that 9 out of 10 American companies don't fail in their first year and that the private sector always runs as smoothly as an American airline (just not American Airlines because, well, you know...) and that government should copy the business practices of the private sector. It seems as if Gundersen is all over this and ahead of the curve. Or in corporate-ese he is thinking outside the box to synergize existing partnerships while making focused investments yadda yadda yadda. The three olive lunch is a staple of the corporate world. He is acting like every other businessman in the world. Shocking to see someone with a financial interest treating someone else to a meal and, gasp!, an adult beverage. What next? Will Gundersen have the nerve to talk to some CEO over some golf? I hope not because that is not how government should be run. Unless of course you think government should be run like a private company, in which case Gunersen needs to buy some wicked ugly pants and hit the links.
Let us also not forget the tax breaks we give to private companies to locate, relocate, and promise not to blackmail us already in the State. If Gundersen spent that $400 at a Maggie Brooks fundraiser, he could relocate himself to Monroe County and pay no property taxes. Both locally and on the State level we continually bribe companies with cheap power, property tax abatements, demolition efforts, etc. to keep them from leaving for greener pastures. Sometimes they are even nice enough to pretend they will create more jobs if we buy them that shiny new machine dealie that makes stuff. But since we don't actually hold them accountable for the public money they take, aren't we wasting our money anyway? And in much larger amounts?
The root of the problem is a bad economy that pits regions against each other and States against each other. Only the private companies benefit. They start bidding wars and see who will give them the most free stuff. They blackmail governments into no taxes and publicly funded improvement projects. Private companies never receive these type of benefits in the private sector. If Kodak went to Xerox and said, 'Hey, can we have some money to build a new wing at our plant? It may or may not create some new jobs but either way we won't pay you back." Xerox would likely tell Kodak to play in traffic. But since government isn't the private sector, the government lets them have the money and hope for the best.
New York State has to solve the problem of being expensive to live and do business in. Treating the symptoms never cures the disease. Tax breaks can't do it, busting Gundersen's balls won't do it, and whiny public interest groups don't do it. If we made New York a cheaper place, businesses would move here because it makes business sense, not because Gundersen bought Alan Mulally a glass of Torrey Ridge Baco Noir or because Monroe County gave them an empty building for free. As New Yorkers, we must revisit our priorities and realize that until we do the heavy lifting of true reform, who cares about the spending habits of one individual? Especially the one guy who is working hard (and fueling the economy one meal at a time) to revive Upstate.
Government can not be run as a private company, nor should it be. Running government selectively as a private company is disastrous for its citizens and unfairly benefits private companies. In tough economic times, the government should only focus on services that benefit all citizens and should not be left to the unreliable corporate world: public education, public safety, public health and public transportation. Everything else is a luxury. And at this time, luxuries we can't afford.
I understand the underlying issue with Gundersen's use of the State credit card. If every official spent $400 to treat 10 people to dinner in Watertown, the State would be broke. Unfortunately, we are already broke, and $400 is not going to fix that. Keeping all government in the sunshine is a good thing and maybe in the future Gundersen makes the Commander at Fort Drum cover the tip because he doesn't want the entire State to know he is an overgenerous tipper (who says one man can't refuel Upstate!).
The real hypocrisy will always come from the private sector, of course. Government is always being told it would be better run as a private company. Hopefully not like Enron or GM, but whatever. Let's pretend for a second that 9 out of 10 American companies don't fail in their first year and that the private sector always runs as smoothly as an American airline (just not American Airlines because, well, you know...) and that government should copy the business practices of the private sector. It seems as if Gundersen is all over this and ahead of the curve. Or in corporate-ese he is thinking outside the box to synergize existing partnerships while making focused investments yadda yadda yadda. The three olive lunch is a staple of the corporate world. He is acting like every other businessman in the world. Shocking to see someone with a financial interest treating someone else to a meal and, gasp!, an adult beverage. What next? Will Gundersen have the nerve to talk to some CEO over some golf? I hope not because that is not how government should be run. Unless of course you think government should be run like a private company, in which case Gunersen needs to buy some wicked ugly pants and hit the links.
Let us also not forget the tax breaks we give to private companies to locate, relocate, and promise not to blackmail us already in the State. If Gundersen spent that $400 at a Maggie Brooks fundraiser, he could relocate himself to Monroe County and pay no property taxes. Both locally and on the State level we continually bribe companies with cheap power, property tax abatements, demolition efforts, etc. to keep them from leaving for greener pastures. Sometimes they are even nice enough to pretend they will create more jobs if we buy them that shiny new machine dealie that makes stuff. But since we don't actually hold them accountable for the public money they take, aren't we wasting our money anyway? And in much larger amounts?
The root of the problem is a bad economy that pits regions against each other and States against each other. Only the private companies benefit. They start bidding wars and see who will give them the most free stuff. They blackmail governments into no taxes and publicly funded improvement projects. Private companies never receive these type of benefits in the private sector. If Kodak went to Xerox and said, 'Hey, can we have some money to build a new wing at our plant? It may or may not create some new jobs but either way we won't pay you back." Xerox would likely tell Kodak to play in traffic. But since government isn't the private sector, the government lets them have the money and hope for the best.
New York State has to solve the problem of being expensive to live and do business in. Treating the symptoms never cures the disease. Tax breaks can't do it, busting Gundersen's balls won't do it, and whiny public interest groups don't do it. If we made New York a cheaper place, businesses would move here because it makes business sense, not because Gundersen bought Alan Mulally a glass of Torrey Ridge Baco Noir or because Monroe County gave them an empty building for free. As New Yorkers, we must revisit our priorities and realize that until we do the heavy lifting of true reform, who cares about the spending habits of one individual? Especially the one guy who is working hard (and fueling the economy one meal at a time) to revive Upstate.
Government can not be run as a private company, nor should it be. Running government selectively as a private company is disastrous for its citizens and unfairly benefits private companies. In tough economic times, the government should only focus on services that benefit all citizens and should not be left to the unreliable corporate world: public education, public safety, public health and public transportation. Everything else is a luxury. And at this time, luxuries we can't afford.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
$4 a Gallon? Whatever
ROCHESTER - The area is bracing for gasoline prices to hit $4/gallon. I don't care. Sure, it sucks when I fill up. Lucky for me I don't suffer from any sort of over-compensation issues and I drive a small fuel efficient car. I also believe that similar outrage was voiced when we first went over a dollar a gallon, then at two dollars, etc. We deserve this. We have over consumed for too long and the chickens have come home to roost. Had we learned from the 70's we would have spent the 80's and 90's coming up with and implementing real solutions (suspending the gas tax is not a real solution!). Instead, the crisis died down, and we went back to being gas pigs. We killed public transit in favor of cars, we emptied our cities into the suburban outskirts and we made our cars even bigger than they were in the 70's.
So here we are, our arrogance, laziness and smugness have left us at the will of big oil. If you commute from Ontario County to Rochester in your Yukon or H3 I don't feel bad for you. I hope you have to pay $10/gallon. I really do. I will laugh at you as you cry poor because those are your choices. You used to look down on me for driving my small car back and forth from my small house in the city. Four dollars a gallon doesn't make me poor, and my guess is it doesn't make you poor either.
What we have here is opportunity, though. This need not turn into wasted anger. This should be a chance for us to break free of Big Oil. Somewhere John Rockefeller is making it rain and that is just wrong. Wind power, solar power, geo thermal power, and even methane gas from land fills are avenues we should be exploring instead of bowing down to Exxon/Mobil, OPEC and the others. Instead of paying to build an oasis in a far away desert, we should be creating new American companies to feed our energy needs. Even Rockefeller would appreciate that.
We should also revisit our planning for both sprawl and transit. Expressways, multi-county metro areas and distant office parks are all luxuries from a different time. We can not afford to continue to spread out and stretch our resources so thin. We have all the roads, sewers and sidewalks we need, why are we building more? Do you like high taxes? It seems that way. Transportation is crying out for attention. Just because most Americans have cars doesn't mean we have to use them every day. Wouldn't some of you like to use your car for pleasure instead of commuting? I would. Rochester buses are cutting fares to one dollar per ride. For two bucks you can go back and forth to work. Plus you can get some reading time in. Most of us in this area will tell you, however, that it is not practical to ride the bus because of where you live and where the bus actually goes. I feel your pain. Instead of dismissing the thought, though, we need to look at the routes and see if they make sense. Can they be changed to serve more people? Is there an opportunity to incorporate other modes of transit like light rail? Would it be offensive to run some rail cars down the middle of 490, 590, or 390?
Expensive gas is a disease. We always treat the symptoms. This is problematic because until we treat the disease we will always see rising prices. Sometimes we get a respite (gas tax holiday), we stop thinking about it and then, BAM!, $4 a gallon and the cycle starts all over again. So let's take this chance to get to the root of the problem while people are mad, motivated, and demanding action and before its too late. Let's not be pandered to with short term 'solutions' like gas tax holidays. We have the opportunity to make wise long term decisions that will set our area up for growth for years to come. Don't be bought out by 32 cents a gallon when our future is at stake. In reality, $4 a gallon probably won't change how we live our lives. $5 a gallon won't likely either. But can we afford to still be standing around with our energy pants down when gas hits a price per gallon no one can afford?
So here we are, our arrogance, laziness and smugness have left us at the will of big oil. If you commute from Ontario County to Rochester in your Yukon or H3 I don't feel bad for you. I hope you have to pay $10/gallon. I really do. I will laugh at you as you cry poor because those are your choices. You used to look down on me for driving my small car back and forth from my small house in the city. Four dollars a gallon doesn't make me poor, and my guess is it doesn't make you poor either.
What we have here is opportunity, though. This need not turn into wasted anger. This should be a chance for us to break free of Big Oil. Somewhere John Rockefeller is making it rain and that is just wrong. Wind power, solar power, geo thermal power, and even methane gas from land fills are avenues we should be exploring instead of bowing down to Exxon/Mobil, OPEC and the others. Instead of paying to build an oasis in a far away desert, we should be creating new American companies to feed our energy needs. Even Rockefeller would appreciate that.
We should also revisit our planning for both sprawl and transit. Expressways, multi-county metro areas and distant office parks are all luxuries from a different time. We can not afford to continue to spread out and stretch our resources so thin. We have all the roads, sewers and sidewalks we need, why are we building more? Do you like high taxes? It seems that way. Transportation is crying out for attention. Just because most Americans have cars doesn't mean we have to use them every day. Wouldn't some of you like to use your car for pleasure instead of commuting? I would. Rochester buses are cutting fares to one dollar per ride. For two bucks you can go back and forth to work. Plus you can get some reading time in. Most of us in this area will tell you, however, that it is not practical to ride the bus because of where you live and where the bus actually goes. I feel your pain. Instead of dismissing the thought, though, we need to look at the routes and see if they make sense. Can they be changed to serve more people? Is there an opportunity to incorporate other modes of transit like light rail? Would it be offensive to run some rail cars down the middle of 490, 590, or 390?
Expensive gas is a disease. We always treat the symptoms. This is problematic because until we treat the disease we will always see rising prices. Sometimes we get a respite (gas tax holiday), we stop thinking about it and then, BAM!, $4 a gallon and the cycle starts all over again. So let's take this chance to get to the root of the problem while people are mad, motivated, and demanding action and before its too late. Let's not be pandered to with short term 'solutions' like gas tax holidays. We have the opportunity to make wise long term decisions that will set our area up for growth for years to come. Don't be bought out by 32 cents a gallon when our future is at stake. In reality, $4 a gallon probably won't change how we live our lives. $5 a gallon won't likely either. But can we afford to still be standing around with our energy pants down when gas hits a price per gallon no one can afford?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
R's to Citizens: F You!
ROCHESTER - The Monroe County Republicans have done quite a bit to alienate non-Republicans in this county. Name calling, hard ball politics, and cronyism all come to mind. They have stacked boards and authorities. They have denied Democrats the ability to introduce legislation. They have pitted the suburbs against the city. They have appointed political hacks all over the county administration. They have, for the most part, quietly forced themselves into every corner of public administration, qualified or not. But this time they are going too far. The news that Republicans are adding Bill Smith as a finalist to be President of Monroe Community College is disturbing. The guy has literally no educational experience (unless of course going to school counts). MCC is one of the best community colleges in the northeast, and petty politics may tarnish that forever. Not even all Republicans think this is a good idea. These reasons demand outcry from everyone that has a voice.
Bill Smith is a lawyer who served on the Pittsford Town Board and in the Monroe County Legislature. While in the Legislature he also served as majority leader. By trade, Smith is a lawyer, as mentioned, and has a decent resume there. Good schools and fairly respected firm. But what does any of this have to do with running a community college?
Making a political appointment out of this tarnishes a wonderful reputation for MCC. Students receive an education that rivals many 4 year schools. What sort of message does this send to students, prospective students, faculty and other staffers? "You may be the second largest community college in the state, but in the end you are our little political plaything," Republicans say. Instead of attracting the best and brightest, folks will be hesitant to step into Monroe County's partisan world of patronage and payback.
Most disturbing is that some Republicans oppose this. The MCC Board (9 R's and 1 Conservative) voted 6-4 in favor of adding Smith (and Kessler, who is at least an adjunct professor) to the finalist list. This means that 4 people saw this for what it is and decided to make a stand, to prove this isn't just Democratic whining. Four people think highly enough of the institution they serve to try to avoid this embarrassing backwoods moment.
We are a backwoods town. We are Mayberry with a snobby attitude and without Aunt Bea's pies. Rochester will always be held back as long as we play these petty, small minded political games, trading short term spoils for long term solutions. Until now, they were reserved for authorities and zoning boards, where even the most inept of political hacks could do little long term harm to our community. Not anymore. The Smith move signals a bold new approach to damaging our area in the long term by attacking an educational institution that for years has helped our community maintain our high standard of innovation, education and enlightenment. The Monroe County Republicans have given this county the finger, and we can not let that go.
Bill Smith is a lawyer who served on the Pittsford Town Board and in the Monroe County Legislature. While in the Legislature he also served as majority leader. By trade, Smith is a lawyer, as mentioned, and has a decent resume there. Good schools and fairly respected firm. But what does any of this have to do with running a community college?
Making a political appointment out of this tarnishes a wonderful reputation for MCC. Students receive an education that rivals many 4 year schools. What sort of message does this send to students, prospective students, faculty and other staffers? "You may be the second largest community college in the state, but in the end you are our little political plaything," Republicans say. Instead of attracting the best and brightest, folks will be hesitant to step into Monroe County's partisan world of patronage and payback.
Most disturbing is that some Republicans oppose this. The MCC Board (9 R's and 1 Conservative) voted 6-4 in favor of adding Smith (and Kessler, who is at least an adjunct professor) to the finalist list. This means that 4 people saw this for what it is and decided to make a stand, to prove this isn't just Democratic whining. Four people think highly enough of the institution they serve to try to avoid this embarrassing backwoods moment.
We are a backwoods town. We are Mayberry with a snobby attitude and without Aunt Bea's pies. Rochester will always be held back as long as we play these petty, small minded political games, trading short term spoils for long term solutions. Until now, they were reserved for authorities and zoning boards, where even the most inept of political hacks could do little long term harm to our community. Not anymore. The Smith move signals a bold new approach to damaging our area in the long term by attacking an educational institution that for years has helped our community maintain our high standard of innovation, education and enlightenment. The Monroe County Republicans have given this county the finger, and we can not let that go.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Random Thoughts of the Week
ROCHESTER - Laziness can be a virtue. This post proves it. Once again I am just tossing out some randoms thoughts on some news items.
-Are Republicans free market or not? Why do I have to hear "if government was more like a private company..." if the Republicans are going to use the government to bail out private companies? Governments that should have gone out of business last week (not in general so take a breath Tennessee): zero. Private investment firms that should have gone out of business last week: one. Stop being hypocrites and admit that sometimes private business needs government help. Or don't interfere AT ALL.
-Paterson versus Spitzer on extra maritals. This illustrates the private/public debate. Paterson's issues are between he and his wife. He acted amorally, not illegally. We know what Spitzer did and it was amoral but more importantly it was illegal. I contend there is a major difference between the two circumstances.
-Prayers and thoughts going out to Lance Neve who was the victim of a hate crime in Spencerport. He was injured seriously (fractured skull tops the list) and I hope he can make a full recovery. I hope his attacker is punished to the full extent of the law. What kind of world are we still living in?
-The Iraq war is now 5 years old. That means we have been battling longer in Iraq than in World War II. I don't even know what to think about that.....
-Finally, I made my television debut (aside from Cops) last Friday on WXXI's Need To Know. It was a great experience and the host and crew were a pleasure to work with. Thanks for the opportunity!
-Are Republicans free market or not? Why do I have to hear "if government was more like a private company..." if the Republicans are going to use the government to bail out private companies? Governments that should have gone out of business last week (not in general so take a breath Tennessee): zero. Private investment firms that should have gone out of business last week: one. Stop being hypocrites and admit that sometimes private business needs government help. Or don't interfere AT ALL.
-Paterson versus Spitzer on extra maritals. This illustrates the private/public debate. Paterson's issues are between he and his wife. He acted amorally, not illegally. We know what Spitzer did and it was amoral but more importantly it was illegal. I contend there is a major difference between the two circumstances.
-Prayers and thoughts going out to Lance Neve who was the victim of a hate crime in Spencerport. He was injured seriously (fractured skull tops the list) and I hope he can make a full recovery. I hope his attacker is punished to the full extent of the law. What kind of world are we still living in?
-The Iraq war is now 5 years old. That means we have been battling longer in Iraq than in World War II. I don't even know what to think about that.....
-Finally, I made my television debut (aside from Cops) last Friday on WXXI's Need To Know. It was a great experience and the host and crew were a pleasure to work with. Thanks for the opportunity!
Monday, March 17, 2008
St. Patrick's Day
ROCHESTER - St. Patrick's Day is here, once again, so that we may celebrate all things Irish. Of course, like the Fourth of July is bbq's and fireworks, all things Irish means has seemingly come to mean wearing green and getting drunk. I am not going to say those aren't wonderful things (they are), but to Irish folks, this holiday can be a mixed bag. Ireland's history is an often tragic one, filled with sacrifice of a proud people yearning to be free. As a result, however, Irish culture celebrates life through song, dance, poetry and even raising a pint of the black stuff.
The Irish diaspora has allowed the world to experience this lively culture, and to celebrate the contributions of the Irish wherever they ended up. Irish people reflect Ireland's history. They are proud. They are tough. They are intimidated by no one. They will always get back up when knocked down. Today, I urge everyone (especially us Irish Americans) to spend some time thinking about famous Irish people from Brian Boru to Daniel O'Connell to Michael Collins that have made our world a better place through struggle and sacrifice, and even the Irish people you know. I think you will find we are a special people sharing many of the qualities we enjoy most in others: loyalty, toughness, passion and always, a sense of humor.
Also, I propose that every Irish person spread the history of our land to a non-Irish each St Patrick's Day. The best topics fall into the buzz kill category, but if each of us can teach someone one nugget of info, the holiday will be worth it. Here are my choices to help enlighten others to our struggle.
1. "The Troubles." This is how the Irish refer to the Northern Ireland problem. Often this is over-simplified into a Protestant versus Catholic conflict. It is really about civil rights. The majority (who is Protestant) created a system to retain power over the minority (the Catholics) so that now that Catholics out number the Protestants, they can not gain political power. The system has been used to maintain an economic superiority, which has turned this struggle into a class war. Although religion is the easy identifying difference, it is not the whole issue.
2. Cromwell's Genocide. As leader of the English Empire, Oliver Cromwell spent a great deal of energy suppressing Irish freedom. He also decided a great way to keep the rebellious Irish in their place was to eliminate them as a race. This is the time when the English tried to portray the Irish as inferior and gave rise to Irish as leprechauns. Land east of the River Shannon was given to English loyals and or nationals. Eastern Irish were resettled in the West. Catholicism was banned and priests were executed.
3. Civil War 1921-1923. After Ireland won a 'free state' after the War of Independence, people were divided over the value of the free state. Michael Collins himself described it as a stepping stone to full independence, but this wasn't good enough for all. Eamon de Valera led a group into war against the free state and it was a bitter and bloody one. More people were killed in the Civil War than the War of Independence, and Ireland is still divided in some quarters over the effects.
Like I said, not joyous events, but to fully understand the Irish psyche, these events must be understood. Today is a celebration though, so after you drop some knowledge on your listener, get them to buy you a drink, raise a pint, and toast the Irish.
The Irish diaspora has allowed the world to experience this lively culture, and to celebrate the contributions of the Irish wherever they ended up. Irish people reflect Ireland's history. They are proud. They are tough. They are intimidated by no one. They will always get back up when knocked down. Today, I urge everyone (especially us Irish Americans) to spend some time thinking about famous Irish people from Brian Boru to Daniel O'Connell to Michael Collins that have made our world a better place through struggle and sacrifice, and even the Irish people you know. I think you will find we are a special people sharing many of the qualities we enjoy most in others: loyalty, toughness, passion and always, a sense of humor.
Also, I propose that every Irish person spread the history of our land to a non-Irish each St Patrick's Day. The best topics fall into the buzz kill category, but if each of us can teach someone one nugget of info, the holiday will be worth it. Here are my choices to help enlighten others to our struggle.
1. "The Troubles." This is how the Irish refer to the Northern Ireland problem. Often this is over-simplified into a Protestant versus Catholic conflict. It is really about civil rights. The majority (who is Protestant) created a system to retain power over the minority (the Catholics) so that now that Catholics out number the Protestants, they can not gain political power. The system has been used to maintain an economic superiority, which has turned this struggle into a class war. Although religion is the easy identifying difference, it is not the whole issue.
2. Cromwell's Genocide. As leader of the English Empire, Oliver Cromwell spent a great deal of energy suppressing Irish freedom. He also decided a great way to keep the rebellious Irish in their place was to eliminate them as a race. This is the time when the English tried to portray the Irish as inferior and gave rise to Irish as leprechauns. Land east of the River Shannon was given to English loyals and or nationals. Eastern Irish were resettled in the West. Catholicism was banned and priests were executed.
3. Civil War 1921-1923. After Ireland won a 'free state' after the War of Independence, people were divided over the value of the free state. Michael Collins himself described it as a stepping stone to full independence, but this wasn't good enough for all. Eamon de Valera led a group into war against the free state and it was a bitter and bloody one. More people were killed in the Civil War than the War of Independence, and Ireland is still divided in some quarters over the effects.
Like I said, not joyous events, but to fully understand the Irish psyche, these events must be understood. Today is a celebration though, so after you drop some knowledge on your listener, get them to buy you a drink, raise a pint, and toast the Irish.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Spitzer Swallowed?
ROCHESTER - Governor Spitzer has shown his fatal flaw. Many figured it could be his arrogance and or his temper that had the potential to bring down the charismatic crime fighter. Turns out he has a thing for the hookers. The biggest question is, will this quicksand pit swallow him and career?
This was a terrible act. He is married. He has kids. He is the Governor of the Empire State. This isn't some two bit Assemblyman getting caught fooling around with his intern (usually legal). This is prostitution (always illegal). Normally I would tell you this is an issue between him and his wife. That goes for 'normal' cheating. This crosses the line from moral issue to legal matter. That is where I leave him on his own. If he needed some side action, that is, like I said, between him and his wife. Not my place to say. Once he commits a crime to feed his desires, however, he has lost the public trust to govern. That is when he should resign and that is why he must resign.
This is also an amazingly arrogant behavior pattern. Why is a Harvard Law, ex-Attorney General, Governor of New York using a call girl service with a paper trail? He used to bust these things up, didn't he remember how those guys got caught? He must have figured he was smarter than that. Somehow he wouldn't get caught.
Former Comptroller Alan Hevesi put a major drag on the Democrats by fighting to stay in power. Spitzer can do no such thing. He screwed up and must fall on his sword. He is caught red handed and no excuses can save him now, unless he has an evil twin brother. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
If Spitzer has any decency in him, and I believe he does, he will resign and spend his time trying to repair his family. I feel terrible for Silda and their three teenage daughters. She should probably kick him to the curb, trust fund and all. Then again, that is not my place to say. That is between them. He crossed my line when the issue went from a private moral issue to a public legal matter. That is when the scandal swallowed him whole.
This was a terrible act. He is married. He has kids. He is the Governor of the Empire State. This isn't some two bit Assemblyman getting caught fooling around with his intern (usually legal). This is prostitution (always illegal). Normally I would tell you this is an issue between him and his wife. That goes for 'normal' cheating. This crosses the line from moral issue to legal matter. That is where I leave him on his own. If he needed some side action, that is, like I said, between him and his wife. Not my place to say. Once he commits a crime to feed his desires, however, he has lost the public trust to govern. That is when he should resign and that is why he must resign.
This is also an amazingly arrogant behavior pattern. Why is a Harvard Law, ex-Attorney General, Governor of New York using a call girl service with a paper trail? He used to bust these things up, didn't he remember how those guys got caught? He must have figured he was smarter than that. Somehow he wouldn't get caught.
Former Comptroller Alan Hevesi put a major drag on the Democrats by fighting to stay in power. Spitzer can do no such thing. He screwed up and must fall on his sword. He is caught red handed and no excuses can save him now, unless he has an evil twin brother. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
If Spitzer has any decency in him, and I believe he does, he will resign and spend his time trying to repair his family. I feel terrible for Silda and their three teenage daughters. She should probably kick him to the curb, trust fund and all. Then again, that is not my place to say. That is between them. He crossed my line when the issue went from a private moral issue to a public legal matter. That is when the scandal swallowed him whole.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Is The Country Ready?
ROCHESTER - 'Is the country ready for a woman?' 'Is the country ready for a black guy?' I hear these questions all the time. I have news for you: it doesn't matter. I could give a rat's ass if some hill billy in Mississippi is ready or not. He ain't gotta be. The fact remains that because the coasts are ready, the South and Midwest don't have a say. The conservative right surges ahead with a scary agenda opposed by the coasts, but they don't care what we think. They write us off and move ahead. We should return the favor.
Basically, as long as Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC are ready, we only need to worry about convincing Ohio. All those states voted for Gore and Kerry. Gore won New Mexico and Iowa and Kerry added New Hampshire. If either had won Ohio, we wouldn't be in this mess. Does anyone believe that Clinton or Obama would lose any of these states? I don't. Let's not take them for granted entirely, but let's not waste our time caring if Kentucky is ready for Clinton or Obama. They probably aren't. Let them vote for Skeletor all they want. Again, their opinion doesn't matter.
The Republican coalition of Midwestern and Southern states has delivered back to back victories in the Electoral College, but if the last Republican rust belt state flips, the party is over. Finally, Ohio may have flipped. In 2006 they booted Republicans from their state house left and right. This is a good sign. Scary as it may seem to hand the nation's future over to a bunch of Indians, Bengals, Buckeyes and Zips fans, they are more us than some Hot Pocket worshipping nut job in Alabama. So screw Billy Joe and let's get the Dawg Pound on board. Ohio should matter to Northerners. Ohioans face the same issues we do. Aging infrastructure, loss of jobs, rising crime in the cities, urban decay, and cursed sports teams. Shame on us for not bringing them to our side sooner, but we can not afford to bring them over any later. It should be an easy sell. Is Ohio better now than it was in 2000? I don't think so.
I am tired of hearing 'is the country is ready.' If YOU wonder if the country is ready, I suspect YOU aren't because, thanks to the electoral college, the country doesn't need to be ready. Only 21 or 22 states need to be ready, and they are. Midwesterners and Southerners had their President for 8 years, now it is our turn. But only if we can turn Ohio to our side, where they should have been for years.
Basically, as long as Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington DC are ready, we only need to worry about convincing Ohio. All those states voted for Gore and Kerry. Gore won New Mexico and Iowa and Kerry added New Hampshire. If either had won Ohio, we wouldn't be in this mess. Does anyone believe that Clinton or Obama would lose any of these states? I don't. Let's not take them for granted entirely, but let's not waste our time caring if Kentucky is ready for Clinton or Obama. They probably aren't. Let them vote for Skeletor all they want. Again, their opinion doesn't matter.
The Republican coalition of Midwestern and Southern states has delivered back to back victories in the Electoral College, but if the last Republican rust belt state flips, the party is over. Finally, Ohio may have flipped. In 2006 they booted Republicans from their state house left and right. This is a good sign. Scary as it may seem to hand the nation's future over to a bunch of Indians, Bengals, Buckeyes and Zips fans, they are more us than some Hot Pocket worshipping nut job in Alabama. So screw Billy Joe and let's get the Dawg Pound on board. Ohio should matter to Northerners. Ohioans face the same issues we do. Aging infrastructure, loss of jobs, rising crime in the cities, urban decay, and cursed sports teams. Shame on us for not bringing them to our side sooner, but we can not afford to bring them over any later. It should be an easy sell. Is Ohio better now than it was in 2000? I don't think so.
I am tired of hearing 'is the country is ready.' If YOU wonder if the country is ready, I suspect YOU aren't because, thanks to the electoral college, the country doesn't need to be ready. Only 21 or 22 states need to be ready, and they are. Midwesterners and Southerners had their President for 8 years, now it is our turn. But only if we can turn Ohio to our side, where they should have been for years.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Maggie Brooks: Hypocrite
ROCHESTER - Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks has shown herself to be a political hack. Sometimes that is what it takes to reach such lofty positions in politics. Now, however, she has shown herself to be worse: a hypocrite.
She is using tax payer money to appeal a court decision to 'protect tax payers'. What? That makes no sense. Let the decision be, because, if nothing else, it is inevitable. She will not win her appeal. Will she repay us tax payers for her frivolous law suit? Of course not.
This little article does not even get into the fact that giving benefits to ALL married couples is the RIGHT thing to do. That defending, strengthening and promoting marriage means allowing ALL consenting adults to do so.
She is using tax payer money to appeal a court decision to 'protect tax payers'. What? That makes no sense. Let the decision be, because, if nothing else, it is inevitable. She will not win her appeal. Will she repay us tax payers for her frivolous law suit? Of course not.
This little article does not even get into the fact that giving benefits to ALL married couples is the RIGHT thing to do. That defending, strengthening and promoting marriage means allowing ALL consenting adults to do so.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Random Thoughts of the Week
ROCHESTER - Sometimes my genius insight doesn't lend itself to an entire blog. Rather than stretch out a few worthwhile remarks into a longwinded tangent, I shall cheat and introduce a segment I shall call, Random Thoughts of the Week.
--Glad to see the US Navy has the ability to play missile command and shoot things out of space.
--I still believe Clinton will win the nomination. Machines (and credible promises) win conventions. If Obama can't wrap it up before then, he may be out of luck this time.
--Roger Clemens is a douchebag. Oh, he's under investigation for steroid use? Okay, he is a royal douchebag.
--Democrat and Chronicle editor James Lawrence thinks gangsta rap is bad and coarsens our culture, but the D and C puts a bloodstained sidewalk photo on the front page above the fold (meaning passersby, ie children, can see it without buying a paper). Hmmm......
--Republicans in the County Legislature are racist. I have attended meetings that are overflowing/standing room only and have never been through a metal detector. One time the crowd contained disgruntled county employees who carry weapons on the job, but they were overwhelmingly white, so I guess they weren't a threat. But in police terms, they had motive and opportunity. Again, they were mostly white.
--Rick Dollinger will be my next State Senator. Run, Rick, run!
--Glad to see the US Navy has the ability to play missile command and shoot things out of space.
--I still believe Clinton will win the nomination. Machines (and credible promises) win conventions. If Obama can't wrap it up before then, he may be out of luck this time.
--Roger Clemens is a douchebag. Oh, he's under investigation for steroid use? Okay, he is a royal douchebag.
--Democrat and Chronicle editor James Lawrence thinks gangsta rap is bad and coarsens our culture, but the D and C puts a bloodstained sidewalk photo on the front page above the fold (meaning passersby, ie children, can see it without buying a paper). Hmmm......
--Republicans in the County Legislature are racist. I have attended meetings that are overflowing/standing room only and have never been through a metal detector. One time the crowd contained disgruntled county employees who carry weapons on the job, but they were overwhelmingly white, so I guess they weren't a threat. But in police terms, they had motive and opportunity. Again, they were mostly white.
--Rick Dollinger will be my next State Senator. Run, Rick, run!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Polar Plunge Day
ROCHESTER - For the seventh year in a row, I risked my own well being to raise some money. The Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Charlotte has become one of my traditions. Even better, it has become a yearly tradition for my fiancee Melissa as well. We are crazy for sure, but we raised a good amount of money and made some bride and groom costumes to add to the fun.
I woke up at 9AM and to my surprise it was sunny. By 10AM, the weather was quickly changing to blizzardy conditions. By the time Melissa and I made past Kodak Park heading up Lake Ave, it was sunny again, as if the heavens had given a reprieve to the folks going into Lake Ontario as well as to those folks who would be the large crowd.
The top floor of the Roger Robach Beach House was packed with people getting ready to freeze themselves. Some were nervously chatting, some were putting final touches on costumes, but all were excited to show their donors that, yes, it can be done. The torch was lit, the bagpipes started, and we started to funnel out down to the beach. The wind was whipping, but the crowd was roaring, so there was no turning back. It all seems ok until the moment you hit that water. They say the lake was 37 degrees. Not sure what that feels like because my limbs went numb as I dunked myself under water. With red legs and a strong sense of bravado we waved to our friends and family and headed back into the beach house to get dry as fast as possible.
The Polar Plunge is a great event for many reasons. The Special Olympics is a wonderful organization, the event gets folks out in the winter, and proves that we Rochesterians are both tough and generous. I can't wait to warm up, but I really can't wait until next year. Thank you to all who donated to me and to all who showed up to cheer us on. See you next year!
I woke up at 9AM and to my surprise it was sunny. By 10AM, the weather was quickly changing to blizzardy conditions. By the time Melissa and I made past Kodak Park heading up Lake Ave, it was sunny again, as if the heavens had given a reprieve to the folks going into Lake Ontario as well as to those folks who would be the large crowd.
The top floor of the Roger Robach Beach House was packed with people getting ready to freeze themselves. Some were nervously chatting, some were putting final touches on costumes, but all were excited to show their donors that, yes, it can be done. The torch was lit, the bagpipes started, and we started to funnel out down to the beach. The wind was whipping, but the crowd was roaring, so there was no turning back. It all seems ok until the moment you hit that water. They say the lake was 37 degrees. Not sure what that feels like because my limbs went numb as I dunked myself under water. With red legs and a strong sense of bravado we waved to our friends and family and headed back into the beach house to get dry as fast as possible.
The Polar Plunge is a great event for many reasons. The Special Olympics is a wonderful organization, the event gets folks out in the winter, and proves that we Rochesterians are both tough and generous. I can't wait to warm up, but I really can't wait until next year. Thank you to all who donated to me and to all who showed up to cheer us on. See you next year!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Urban Small Ball
ROCHESTER - My favorite metaphor for our city's renaissance is baseball. Some may say this is because I am into sports too much. I prefer to believe it is just too apt to pass up. Rebuilding a city is better done by playing 'small ball' than swinging for the fences. What exactly does this mean? In small ball, you hit singles, lay down bunts, steal bases, etc. This tends to lead to runs in bunches. Swinging for the fences can offer big rewards, but percentage-wise, more often leaves you empty. Investing in housing stock, cleaning up trash and public art is urban small ball. Fast ferries, stadiums and large scale projects are swings for the fences. Downtown amenities, like a refurbished Manhattan Square Park, are also urban small ball.
Joe "Greatest Coach Ever" Paterno often says, take care of the little things and the big picture will take care of itself. Mayor Bob Duffy must believe this because he has focused quite a bit of energy on quality of life issues. Starting with Clean Sweep, Duffy signaled that if we each take care of our own neighborhoods, collectively the city will improve. This increases the morale of the city, and tends to do so at a fraction of the cost. The good news of the city's revival has come in a trickle. A tidbit here and a tidbit there. This trickle, however, is steady. If it continues, we are in great shape.
The latest tidbit is Manhattan Square Park re-opening its ice rink. This is welcome news for those of us that skate (or try) in the city. It adds a nice little amenity to our lives, especially important in winter when our recreational options are limited. But wait, there's more! Not only has the rink re-opened, the facility has been refurbished. The heating shelter has been expanded to include heated floors and a fire place. I would be sold right there. Yet, the city found that by changing the shape from an oval to a kidney shape, they could increase the size of the rink itself by 30 percent. If all that wasn't enough, the city even bought new skates to replace the garage sale looking stock they currently had. I can't wait to take my first fall, uh, skate around the new rink.
I think we forget, sometimes, how effective smaller quality of life improvements can be to a city and to its overall morale. The news is filled with the large projects, just as ESPN is filled with big home runs and big strikeouts. We should remember that although those things fill the highlight reels, in the end, you win with fundamentals. On the baseball diamond it is advancing runners and scoring runs whereas on the urban diamond it is investing in neighborhoods and small scale projects. It seems our city has finally embraced small ball, and that is why we will win.
Joe "Greatest Coach Ever" Paterno often says, take care of the little things and the big picture will take care of itself. Mayor Bob Duffy must believe this because he has focused quite a bit of energy on quality of life issues. Starting with Clean Sweep, Duffy signaled that if we each take care of our own neighborhoods, collectively the city will improve. This increases the morale of the city, and tends to do so at a fraction of the cost. The good news of the city's revival has come in a trickle. A tidbit here and a tidbit there. This trickle, however, is steady. If it continues, we are in great shape.
The latest tidbit is Manhattan Square Park re-opening its ice rink. This is welcome news for those of us that skate (or try) in the city. It adds a nice little amenity to our lives, especially important in winter when our recreational options are limited. But wait, there's more! Not only has the rink re-opened, the facility has been refurbished. The heating shelter has been expanded to include heated floors and a fire place. I would be sold right there. Yet, the city found that by changing the shape from an oval to a kidney shape, they could increase the size of the rink itself by 30 percent. If all that wasn't enough, the city even bought new skates to replace the garage sale looking stock they currently had. I can't wait to take my first fall, uh, skate around the new rink.
I think we forget, sometimes, how effective smaller quality of life improvements can be to a city and to its overall morale. The news is filled with the large projects, just as ESPN is filled with big home runs and big strikeouts. We should remember that although those things fill the highlight reels, in the end, you win with fundamentals. On the baseball diamond it is advancing runners and scoring runs whereas on the urban diamond it is investing in neighborhoods and small scale projects. It seems our city has finally embraced small ball, and that is why we will win.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
It's Not Me, It's You
ROCHESTER - A colleague of mine in a mixed marriage (she is correct and he is a Republican) recently mentioned how her husband is laughing at us Democrats for 'screwing up' our cake walk to the White House. Excuse me?! Is that serious or wishful thinking? We are down to two wonderful candidates who represent a new and brighter future for our country. Sure they argue. So what? Don't laugh at us Republicans, because it is you guys who are screwed up. You have three men trying desperately to be as conservative as possible, and the one succeeding most doesn't believe in evolution. One guy looks like he owns a car dealership and waffles on every issue. The other used to be rather moderate and is now a Bush stooge. They have essentially nominated Huckabee in the south, McCain on the coasts (liberal, lefty coasts!), and Romney picking up the random leftovers. Oh, yeah, we Dems are a mess alright.
This made me realize we are still living in a Republican spin zone. No matter what happens, the media allows the Republicans to frame the issues. This is natural considering how conservative the media really is. But it frightens me that this still trickles down to the low level folks, the same ones that should be calling for change. This leaves us with work to do. People are pissed off at the economy, at the war, and are afraid of threats from terrorists and immigrants. That doesn't mean we win easy. Far from it. The media still puts economy and national defense issues in the Republican corner. People want to change, but they are also afraid of change. It is our mission to extend our hand to show them change is okay, possible, and exciting. Fortunately, we have two candidates who can do that. So no, we are not a mess, thank you very much. In fact, we are hitting our stride.
This made me realize we are still living in a Republican spin zone. No matter what happens, the media allows the Republicans to frame the issues. This is natural considering how conservative the media really is. But it frightens me that this still trickles down to the low level folks, the same ones that should be calling for change. This leaves us with work to do. People are pissed off at the economy, at the war, and are afraid of threats from terrorists and immigrants. That doesn't mean we win easy. Far from it. The media still puts economy and national defense issues in the Republican corner. People want to change, but they are also afraid of change. It is our mission to extend our hand to show them change is okay, possible, and exciting. Fortunately, we have two candidates who can do that. So no, we are not a mess, thank you very much. In fact, we are hitting our stride.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Play The Sex Card...Play It!!
ROCHESTER - By now, I am sure many of you have seen the NY Chapter of the National Organization of Women's (NOW-NY) response to Senator Kennedy's endorsement of Senator Obama. If not, here it is (from: http://www.nownys.org/pr_2008/pr_012808.html):
Wow. To start off, how did we Kucinich lovers get thrown into this mess? Kucinich has not endorsed anyone. And did those other groups have the misogynistic audacity to suggest that someone other than Senator Clinton could be a fine president? If Kennedy had endorsed Clinton, I doubt the NAACP would have stooped to that level. I guess NOW felt that this was the time to play the 'sex card.'
Kennedy has championed the rights of the underprivileged for 45 years in the Senate. He has been the standard bearer for equal rights, health care, and educational access. Those issues cross all lines, gender, race, religious and otherwise. Ultimate betrayal? I hardly think so. Even Clinton said that endorsements don't decide elections, voters do.
By taking this approach, NOW-NY sends a message that women should vote for Clinton simply because she is a woman. That is exactly the kind of identity politics that causes divisions in our society. There are those out there that will not vote for Clinton because she is a woman. That is wrong. There are those that will vote for Clinton only because she is a woman. That is fine. I refuse to believe that Kennedy, or anyone else, should be vilified for endorsing someone. If Kennedy endorsed a white male, you can make the case for status quo-ism. Endorsing a black man, does not fall into that category one bit. Shame on you, NOW-NY, for being sore losers. You have made yourself look foolish, small and petty. You have cheapened your wonderful platform and made yourself look like any other special interest group. Clinton knows Kennedy is not the end all of the Democratic Party. Clinton knows hard work and voters win elections, not endorsements from elected officials. You should be learning from her wisdom and guidance as an outstanding official and politician, and endorsing her agenda. Not merely endorsing her gender.
Women have just experienced the ultimate betrayal. Senator Kennedy’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton’s opponent in the Democratic presidential primary campaign has really hit women hard. Women have forgiven Kennedy, stuck up for him, stood by him, hushed the fact that he was late in his support of Title IX, the ERA, and the Family and Medical Leave Act to name a few. Women have buried their anger that his support for the compromises in No Child Left Behind and the Medicare bogus drug benefit brought us the passage of these flawed bills. We have thanked him for his ardent support of many civil rights bills, BUT women are always waiting in the wings.
And now the greatest betrayal! We are repaid with his abandonment! He’s picked the new guy over us. He’s joined the list of progressive white men who can’t or won’t handle the prospect of a woman president who is Hillary Clinton (they will of course say they support a woman president, just not “this” one). “They” are Howard Dean and Jim Dean (Yup! That’s Howard’s brother) who run DFA (that’s the group and list from the Dean campaign that we women helped start and grow). "They" are Alternet, Progressive Democrats of America, democrats.com, Kucinich lovers and all the other groups that take women's money, say they’ll do feminist and women’s rights issues one of these days, and conveniently forget to mention women and children when they talk about poverty or human needs or America’s future.
This latest move by Kennedy, is so telling about the status of and respect for women’s rights, women’s voices, women’s equality, women’s authority and our ability – indeed, our obligation- to promote and earn and deserve and elect, unabashedly, a President that is the first woman after centuries of men who “know what’s best for us.
Wow. To start off, how did we Kucinich lovers get thrown into this mess? Kucinich has not endorsed anyone. And did those other groups have the misogynistic audacity to suggest that someone other than Senator Clinton could be a fine president? If Kennedy had endorsed Clinton, I doubt the NAACP would have stooped to that level. I guess NOW felt that this was the time to play the 'sex card.'
Kennedy has championed the rights of the underprivileged for 45 years in the Senate. He has been the standard bearer for equal rights, health care, and educational access. Those issues cross all lines, gender, race, religious and otherwise. Ultimate betrayal? I hardly think so. Even Clinton said that endorsements don't decide elections, voters do.
By taking this approach, NOW-NY sends a message that women should vote for Clinton simply because she is a woman. That is exactly the kind of identity politics that causes divisions in our society. There are those out there that will not vote for Clinton because she is a woman. That is wrong. There are those that will vote for Clinton only because she is a woman. That is fine. I refuse to believe that Kennedy, or anyone else, should be vilified for endorsing someone. If Kennedy endorsed a white male, you can make the case for status quo-ism. Endorsing a black man, does not fall into that category one bit. Shame on you, NOW-NY, for being sore losers. You have made yourself look foolish, small and petty. You have cheapened your wonderful platform and made yourself look like any other special interest group. Clinton knows Kennedy is not the end all of the Democratic Party. Clinton knows hard work and voters win elections, not endorsements from elected officials. You should be learning from her wisdom and guidance as an outstanding official and politician, and endorsing her agenda. Not merely endorsing her gender.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Rebate Ain't So Great
ROCHESTER - Like most Americans, I find myself strapped for cash almost constantly. I own a mortgage, uh, I mean house, so that is the big reason, but credit cards, utilities and that pesky food stuff all put a ding in the Benjamins (or the Washingtons in my case). Needless to say, I can use the loot if Bush and Congresss want to give us rebate checks. But does this really do anything? We are facing a recession, will spending $600 fix that? Did shopping defeat the terrorists after 9/11? I think not. I am no economist, but recessions tend not to happen over night. Therefore, they tend not to be fixed over night. Bush wants us to get the money and spend it to give the economy a boost. I think there are three main scenarios here: best case, worst case, and likely case.
Best Case
The best case for Bush is that we all go and spend our 'free' money. I assume he wants us to spend it on goods (as opposed to services) for full effect. Let us assume we get our checks on a Friday and we all spend them on a Saturday. If we all get our checks on the same Friday, retail spikes on one Saturday, and then we all go back to being broke and buying nothing. This only delays the recession. Of course, we will probably get our checks at different times. This will minimize the spike, spreading it out over a matter of weeks or months. Again, this will only delay the inevitable.
Worst Case
The worst case for Bush is that we all save our 'free' money. People saving money instead of spending it is why Reaganomics (trickle down economics) doesn't work. Wealthier people tend to save more, which is why they are wealthier. So if we are all smart and show restraint, we put the money in the bank and collect some interest off it. This does nothing for the economy and it goes directly to recession.
Likely Case
The reality is somewhere in between. The folks who should be saving the money will spend it, and the folks who could be spending it will save it. We will see a small spike in the economy and some of our friends will have some cool new stuff. The recession will be delayed until fall and we will all have buyer's remorse when we can't pay our bills in October.
In summary, telling people to spend a couple of hundred bucks is nothing more than a delay tactic. It is the equivalent of using the defibrillator paddles on a guy that just had a massive heart attack. It may help the short run, but it can't make up for a huge underlying problem. As usual, we Americans prefer to take the short cut and ignore the big picture. My advice? Hell yeah cash the check. Just don't spend it. The recession is coming, sooner or later, and the money might be more useful down the road.
Best Case
The best case for Bush is that we all go and spend our 'free' money. I assume he wants us to spend it on goods (as opposed to services) for full effect. Let us assume we get our checks on a Friday and we all spend them on a Saturday. If we all get our checks on the same Friday, retail spikes on one Saturday, and then we all go back to being broke and buying nothing. This only delays the recession. Of course, we will probably get our checks at different times. This will minimize the spike, spreading it out over a matter of weeks or months. Again, this will only delay the inevitable.
Worst Case
The worst case for Bush is that we all save our 'free' money. People saving money instead of spending it is why Reaganomics (trickle down economics) doesn't work. Wealthier people tend to save more, which is why they are wealthier. So if we are all smart and show restraint, we put the money in the bank and collect some interest off it. This does nothing for the economy and it goes directly to recession.
Likely Case
The reality is somewhere in between. The folks who should be saving the money will spend it, and the folks who could be spending it will save it. We will see a small spike in the economy and some of our friends will have some cool new stuff. The recession will be delayed until fall and we will all have buyer's remorse when we can't pay our bills in October.
In summary, telling people to spend a couple of hundred bucks is nothing more than a delay tactic. It is the equivalent of using the defibrillator paddles on a guy that just had a massive heart attack. It may help the short run, but it can't make up for a huge underlying problem. As usual, we Americans prefer to take the short cut and ignore the big picture. My advice? Hell yeah cash the check. Just don't spend it. The recession is coming, sooner or later, and the money might be more useful down the road.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Lazy Media Gives Maggie Another Pass
ROCHESTER - I wish for just one day we could have the 'liberal' media we are always hearing about. I am sick of Republicans getting free passes for everything. They have to go to jail before the media brings it up. The latest example of this hit the fan when Governor Spitzer announced his budget proposal. As we all remember, Maggie Brooks' FAIR Plan TV ads mentioned that her school funding cuts would be made up by 'record state aid.' Not one week later Governor Spitzer warned that the state would not send extra money to fill budget shortfalls. Did the media turn back to Maggie and say, 'do you have assurance that the extra money is coming?' Of course not. She put out her press release first. So she knew, somehow, better than Spitzer what money Spitzer was going to give out.
Thankfully, Spitzer hung the schools out to dry. Not that I don't support public schools, but I was hoping that this would be the final nail in the FAIR Plan coffin. Once the state didn't step in and save the day, I figured Maggie would be exposed as a liar on all fronts. Not so. The lazy (and epically terrible) local media has somehow painted this as Spitzer going back on a promise. Did I miss something?! How can our media be so irresponsible? Maggie Brooks is the new 'Teflon Don,' I guess. Only John Gotti was much more trustworthy than our County Executive. She lied about public input for the FAIR Plan. She lied about schools being able to absorb their cuts. She lied about county taxes going down. She lied about the state giving extra education money. Can we impeach her? Is there a recall provision in our county charter?
(I saw it on Channel 13). Yet somehow this is It does not surprise me that Teflon Maggie lied. She is the compliant lapdog of Karl Rove/Prince of Darkness wanna-be Steve Minarik, who takes great pleasure in lying all the time. What surprises me to the point of being physically ill is that the media lets it go. Spitzer warned Maggie this would happen. On TV. Somehow this is Spitzer's fault when he was the only one that was honest in this whole mess. It is my hope that disgusted citizens demand their media hold public officials accountable for their words and actions. This is no 'he said/she said' scenario. It is all on tape. Maggie lied to our face, and we should be pissed.
Thankfully, Spitzer hung the schools out to dry. Not that I don't support public schools, but I was hoping that this would be the final nail in the FAIR Plan coffin. Once the state didn't step in and save the day, I figured Maggie would be exposed as a liar on all fronts. Not so. The lazy (and epically terrible) local media has somehow painted this as Spitzer going back on a promise. Did I miss something?! How can our media be so irresponsible? Maggie Brooks is the new 'Teflon Don,' I guess. Only John Gotti was much more trustworthy than our County Executive. She lied about public input for the FAIR Plan. She lied about schools being able to absorb their cuts. She lied about county taxes going down. She lied about the state giving extra education money. Can we impeach her? Is there a recall provision in our county charter?
(I saw it on Channel 13). Yet somehow this is It does not surprise me that Teflon Maggie lied. She is the compliant lapdog of Karl Rove/Prince of Darkness wanna-be Steve Minarik, who takes great pleasure in lying all the time. What surprises me to the point of being physically ill is that the media lets it go. Spitzer warned Maggie this would happen. On TV. Somehow this is Spitzer's fault when he was the only one that was honest in this whole mess. It is my hope that disgusted citizens demand their media hold public officials accountable for their words and actions. This is no 'he said/she said' scenario. It is all on tape. Maggie lied to our face, and we should be pissed.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
COMIDA's Welfare Sucks
ROCHESTER - Despite my usual 'commie, hippy, liberal' rhetoric, let me say this: I love capitalism. I believe capitalism is a perfect partner for freedom. I put out a product or service and my peers judge its value. It is simple and wonderful. My love of capitalism makes me hate the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency. Stalin and Mao would blush at the contempt COMIDA has for the free market.
The goal of COMIDA is worthy. While I do not think government should be giving out taxpayer money to private business at all, I understand that in this new world, there is a decent argument that governments need this tool to compete. On the assumption that COMIDA is necessary, it still is terrible. It is the most corrupt of all government agencies because it literally hands over public money to private people. There is no secret brief cases, no clandestine back alley payoffs. No sir, COMIDA hands out government money in the open. They brag about it! COMIDA is nothing more than a legal way for the current administration to pay out campaign contributors.
Still assuming COMIDA could work effectively, it misses the mark on another (would be) admirable goal. Retaining jobs. Company A comes to Monroe County and says, 'we want to stay, but it would be cheaper to move, and maybe a tax break would be the difference.' No shame for asking, right? But shame on COMIDA's selection process. They recently gave some breaks for Harley School. Is Harley going to move a school? They want to give breaks so Midtown Athletic Club can build clay tennis courts. Is the club going to move if they can't get clay courts? Guess what, if you want clay courts, charge your monocle wearing, caviar eating, Lexus driving members a higher membership fee, use my tax dollars to make sure the public courts are in good repair in public parks. When retaining jobs, please keep up the charade of public benefit by keeping jobs that could reasonably be moved.
The last aim that misses the mark is job creation. Using Enron style accounting, COMIDA can claim to be creating jobs all over the place. But they do so by shifting jobs. Tax breaks to move a law firm from Rochester to Perinton creates 75 jobs in Perinton. There is your press release. Conveniently forgotten is the fact that 75 jobs were in the community before, but now those 75 jobs come with a tax break. So what have we gained? In fact, we lose. With COMIDA, as taxpayers, we always lose.
Folks in the private sector complain about government interference from burdensome regulation to high taxation. 'Government can't operate like a business,' they yell. I agree. So why do we let a government agency give corporate welfare to businesses? If government is so incompetent, shouldn't their approval of a business be the kiss of death? If businesses are not worthy, capitalism weeds them out. That is why I love it. It is the most democratic of all economics because we (the consumers) vote with our patronage. If we allow the government to decide what businesses succeed or fail, are we any different from any communist or fascist country?
The goal of COMIDA is worthy. While I do not think government should be giving out taxpayer money to private business at all, I understand that in this new world, there is a decent argument that governments need this tool to compete. On the assumption that COMIDA is necessary, it still is terrible. It is the most corrupt of all government agencies because it literally hands over public money to private people. There is no secret brief cases, no clandestine back alley payoffs. No sir, COMIDA hands out government money in the open. They brag about it! COMIDA is nothing more than a legal way for the current administration to pay out campaign contributors.
Still assuming COMIDA could work effectively, it misses the mark on another (would be) admirable goal. Retaining jobs. Company A comes to Monroe County and says, 'we want to stay, but it would be cheaper to move, and maybe a tax break would be the difference.' No shame for asking, right? But shame on COMIDA's selection process. They recently gave some breaks for Harley School. Is Harley going to move a school? They want to give breaks so Midtown Athletic Club can build clay tennis courts. Is the club going to move if they can't get clay courts? Guess what, if you want clay courts, charge your monocle wearing, caviar eating, Lexus driving members a higher membership fee, use my tax dollars to make sure the public courts are in good repair in public parks. When retaining jobs, please keep up the charade of public benefit by keeping jobs that could reasonably be moved.
The last aim that misses the mark is job creation. Using Enron style accounting, COMIDA can claim to be creating jobs all over the place. But they do so by shifting jobs. Tax breaks to move a law firm from Rochester to Perinton creates 75 jobs in Perinton. There is your press release. Conveniently forgotten is the fact that 75 jobs were in the community before, but now those 75 jobs come with a tax break. So what have we gained? In fact, we lose. With COMIDA, as taxpayers, we always lose.
Folks in the private sector complain about government interference from burdensome regulation to high taxation. 'Government can't operate like a business,' they yell. I agree. So why do we let a government agency give corporate welfare to businesses? If government is so incompetent, shouldn't their approval of a business be the kiss of death? If businesses are not worthy, capitalism weeds them out. That is why I love it. It is the most democratic of all economics because we (the consumers) vote with our patronage. If we allow the government to decide what businesses succeed or fail, are we any different from any communist or fascist country?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Is Kucinich Really Batman?
ROCHESTER - Anyone who talks politics with me knows that I think Dennis Kucinich is the greatest politician since Ted Kennedy. What most people don't know, is that I also believe Batman is pretty cool, too. I have heard that you can get at some one's core by looking at their heroes, so have fun with all that. Of course I need to make sure that for this comparison to work, you must consider Batman a super hero, a separate person from Bruce Wayne. Is Ted Kennedy really Bruce Wayne? Probably, but Kucinich surely is not.
Batman is not really a 'super hero' in the sense that he has no 'super' power. He started with nothing but his body and his drive to make a difference. Instead of being given an advantage, through hard work, he gave himself one. Batman's intelligent detective work is what allows him to fight crime without super strength or mutant powers. This is similar to Kucinich. He grew up in poverty, and through hard work, gave himself an education and a chance. Many politicians start with an advantage, like money, or famous relatives. Those people, like super heroes, are blessed, and they should give back. Superman saved the world? He should because he can. If he was using his powers to win bar bets everyone would hate him. Batman and Kucinich had to work hard just to even the playing field, and they work hard to prove they belong.
Batman often fights long odds, usually related to numbers, but is never intimidated. Sometimes it is necessary to put yourself in harms way to serve the greater good. Whether it is the brawny goons of a mobster or the dangerous scheme of evil genius the Dark Knight does not back down. Kucinich knows this, too, albeit in a political context. He knew standing up to the Chamber of Commerce in their municipal utility fight would likely cost him a re-election. He also knew municipal utilities are in the best interest of the citizens. He lost, but in time, he was proved right.
Although they came from different roads, they ended up at the same place. Batman could easily have lived off of the Wayne fortune and not bothered to make Gotham City any better. Or, he could attend some tuxedo charity event, cut a check and feel smug for 'doing his part.' In a similar vein, Kucinich could have used his rise from poverty to turn his back on those held back. 'I got out of poverty through my own hard work, and so can they,' the former newsroom copy boy, caddy, Barons ticket scalper, hospital worker, etc. from Cleveland could reason. They both decided that to make the biggest difference, you must be involved. You don't need to police an entire city in a costume or even be an elected official to be involved either. Just joining a neighborhood watch (maybe in a costume) or helping pick up trash on your street is enough to get the ball rolling. In the meantime, if you see Kucinich leave an event early or skip out on a debate, look for the Bat signal, it is no coincidence.
Batman is not really a 'super hero' in the sense that he has no 'super' power. He started with nothing but his body and his drive to make a difference. Instead of being given an advantage, through hard work, he gave himself one. Batman's intelligent detective work is what allows him to fight crime without super strength or mutant powers. This is similar to Kucinich. He grew up in poverty, and through hard work, gave himself an education and a chance. Many politicians start with an advantage, like money, or famous relatives. Those people, like super heroes, are blessed, and they should give back. Superman saved the world? He should because he can. If he was using his powers to win bar bets everyone would hate him. Batman and Kucinich had to work hard just to even the playing field, and they work hard to prove they belong.
Batman often fights long odds, usually related to numbers, but is never intimidated. Sometimes it is necessary to put yourself in harms way to serve the greater good. Whether it is the brawny goons of a mobster or the dangerous scheme of evil genius the Dark Knight does not back down. Kucinich knows this, too, albeit in a political context. He knew standing up to the Chamber of Commerce in their municipal utility fight would likely cost him a re-election. He also knew municipal utilities are in the best interest of the citizens. He lost, but in time, he was proved right.
Although they came from different roads, they ended up at the same place. Batman could easily have lived off of the Wayne fortune and not bothered to make Gotham City any better. Or, he could attend some tuxedo charity event, cut a check and feel smug for 'doing his part.' In a similar vein, Kucinich could have used his rise from poverty to turn his back on those held back. 'I got out of poverty through my own hard work, and so can they,' the former newsroom copy boy, caddy, Barons ticket scalper, hospital worker, etc. from Cleveland could reason. They both decided that to make the biggest difference, you must be involved. You don't need to police an entire city in a costume or even be an elected official to be involved either. Just joining a neighborhood watch (maybe in a costume) or helping pick up trash on your street is enough to get the ball rolling. In the meantime, if you see Kucinich leave an event early or skip out on a debate, look for the Bat signal, it is no coincidence.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
East Rochester Recap
ROCHESTER - Now that we know each other a little bit better, I figure I would just dive right in on one of my favorite current events: East Rochester regime change. It is expected that folks losing easy money put up a fight to maintain their golden goose, but this ER stuff is too much. It shows why 'Main Street' Republicans are sometimes as corrupt as 'Wall Street' Republicans.
The first shot in this battle was by outgoing Mayor David Bonacchi himself. If you recall, he collected a Messenger Post jeer for shaming ER residents for voting for challenger Jason Koon. Sour grapes for sure, but after a loss, maybe it was frustration. Or was it the tip of the iceberg? Turns out however, it is more like a sour vineyard. As Koon started to fulfill his campaign promise of cleaning out Town Hall, the Republicans scrambled to keep this gravy train government they had created on the rails. The remaining Republican board members scrambled to put together a Joseph McCarthy style meeting and pack the place with people about to lose their ER welfare checks. Even the news stations were tricked by this little charade. Not the people of ER though. The people in ER are no pushovers, and they didn't vote for change just to see the status quo maintained by their greedy neighbors. So they stood up for change, they stood up for Koon, and they stood up for their beloved 'Home of Champions'.
So what did we learn from all this?
1. ER can make front page news without a train crash.
2. If you weren't born in ER, you are not welcome.
3. ER has some of the highest taxes in the region.
4. The town payroll roster looks like a family tree with few branches.
5. People do not like arrogance from their government.
Things seem to be quieting down over on the East side, but it is still an important issue. This public debate has turned a spotlight on the ugly side of small town politics, a place where you can tax your neighbor to pay your friend. I think it is imperative, as Democrats, that we focus on helping Mayor Koon (and Dem. board member Andrew Serrano) get another ally on the board in the next election. Push back is coming, and the Republicans won't be so complacent, lazy and arrogant next time around. We can show them that their time is past and beat them again, and give East Rochester a chance to finally restore its past glory.
The first shot in this battle was by outgoing Mayor David Bonacchi himself. If you recall, he collected a Messenger Post jeer for shaming ER residents for voting for challenger Jason Koon. Sour grapes for sure, but after a loss, maybe it was frustration. Or was it the tip of the iceberg? Turns out however, it is more like a sour vineyard. As Koon started to fulfill his campaign promise of cleaning out Town Hall, the Republicans scrambled to keep this gravy train government they had created on the rails. The remaining Republican board members scrambled to put together a Joseph McCarthy style meeting and pack the place with people about to lose their ER welfare checks. Even the news stations were tricked by this little charade. Not the people of ER though. The people in ER are no pushovers, and they didn't vote for change just to see the status quo maintained by their greedy neighbors. So they stood up for change, they stood up for Koon, and they stood up for their beloved 'Home of Champions'.
So what did we learn from all this?
1. ER can make front page news without a train crash.
2. If you weren't born in ER, you are not welcome.
3. ER has some of the highest taxes in the region.
4. The town payroll roster looks like a family tree with few branches.
5. People do not like arrogance from their government.
Things seem to be quieting down over on the East side, but it is still an important issue. This public debate has turned a spotlight on the ugly side of small town politics, a place where you can tax your neighbor to pay your friend. I think it is imperative, as Democrats, that we focus on helping Mayor Koon (and Dem. board member Andrew Serrano) get another ally on the board in the next election. Push back is coming, and the Republicans won't be so complacent, lazy and arrogant next time around. We can show them that their time is past and beat them again, and give East Rochester a chance to finally restore its past glory.
First Post
ROCHESTER - Blogs are now a dime a dozen and usually worth less than a Sabres fan opinion on anything. Not here though, where thought provoking genius will be dispensed generally twice a month. Maybe that is stretching the truth a tad, since my stubborn Irish background lends itself to strong opinions, but through community involvement, I have learned enough to shoot my mouth off. Most people wouldn't bother, but Rochester is worth shooting off for.
My name is Dennis and I am addicted to Rochester. There, I said it. Admittedly, I have only lived in one other place (Dublin), but I have traveled from coast to coast and throughout Europe. I am lucky to have experienced all I have so far because it makes me appreciate our great city. Have you ever been to a wedding and the best man gives a toast that mentions the bride and groom breaking up and getting back together (if you love something, let it free, if it comes back, it is meant to be, right?)? That is the joy of living here after living elsewhere. You can really appreciate what we have.
In that spirit, I have decided to get off on a positive note and just share 'My Rochester' with you. It is nothing more than a list of some of my favorite aspects of Rochester.
Favorite local team: Rochester Amerks
Favorite restaurant: Pomodoro
Favorite bar: Jeremiah's
Favorite Irish bar: Carroll's
Favorite pizza: Chester Cab's Chicago style
Favorite BBQ: Beale St
Favorite charity event: Polar Plunge for Special Olympics NY
Favorite beverage: Genny Light
Favorite random activity: Laser light shows at the Planetarium
Favorite place to people watch: Monroe Avenue between Oxford and Goodman
Favorite touristy activity: Seneca Wine Trail
Favorite park: Cobb's Hill
There you have 'My Rochester'. After this I promise to be a little more informative. As for now, I will bask in the honeymoon period of my new blog before I piss someone off with my liberal ways.
My name is Dennis and I am addicted to Rochester. There, I said it. Admittedly, I have only lived in one other place (Dublin), but I have traveled from coast to coast and throughout Europe. I am lucky to have experienced all I have so far because it makes me appreciate our great city. Have you ever been to a wedding and the best man gives a toast that mentions the bride and groom breaking up and getting back together (if you love something, let it free, if it comes back, it is meant to be, right?)? That is the joy of living here after living elsewhere. You can really appreciate what we have.
In that spirit, I have decided to get off on a positive note and just share 'My Rochester' with you. It is nothing more than a list of some of my favorite aspects of Rochester.
Favorite local team: Rochester Amerks
Favorite restaurant: Pomodoro
Favorite bar: Jeremiah's
Favorite Irish bar: Carroll's
Favorite pizza: Chester Cab's Chicago style
Favorite BBQ: Beale St
Favorite charity event: Polar Plunge for Special Olympics NY
Favorite beverage: Genny Light
Favorite random activity: Laser light shows at the Planetarium
Favorite place to people watch: Monroe Avenue between Oxford and Goodman
Favorite touristy activity: Seneca Wine Trail
Favorite park: Cobb's Hill
There you have 'My Rochester'. After this I promise to be a little more informative. As for now, I will bask in the honeymoon period of my new blog before I piss someone off with my liberal ways.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)