ROCHESTER - So much is going on now that my head is spinning. Well, not really, but that doesn't mean I want to write lengthy articles about stuff. Sometimes a comment or two is plenty. Besides, I can get pretty wordy and or over dramatic if I start to get into something.
1. PAETEC scales back plans - Yes, again. This time, though, the City has suggested they reuse a building instead of building anew. A new HQ would be better, but can't knock filling already built empty space.
2. Stimulus Package falters - Not surprisingly, the Republicans are looking to score some much needed points by trying to nit pick this thing. It is refreshing they want that oversight after years of rubber stamping Bush, but is now the time?
3. Governor Paterson can't catch a break - No surprise here, but for years New Yorkers have been telling their politicians to tell it like it is. Our Governor does, and now everyone hates him. I still like him. He can have my vote any day.
4. Polar Plunge! Sunday, February 8th at noon at Charlotte. One of the few outdoor organized events in the city in the winter. Plus it is to benefit the Special Olympics!
5. Of course, we offer our thoughts and prayers to Officer Anthony DiPonzio. We pray for a full and speedy recovery.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Pot Is Gateway Drug - Gateway To Gold!
ROCHESTER - Our reigning Greatest Athlete Ever, Michael Phelps, has gotten into trouble out of the pool again. No surprise there. He is from Baltimore, which is not exactly Mayberry. Plus he went to Michigan, so he is a jackass. But let's get real. A 23 year old smoked up out of a bong. Yes, real shocking. Like I implied, he went to college (well, he went to Michigan). So he is like everyone else that has been to college and probably has smoked some weed. Big deal. Marijuana should be legal anyway.
The arbitrary puritanical approach in our country is ludicrous at best. Smoking cigarettes is legal. Alcohol is legal. Is marijuana worse or more dangerous than those two? Studies show that nicotine and alcohol are more addictive than thc, the active ingredient in weed. Some studies even show that caffeine is more addictive than thc. Smoking tobacco is being restricted more and more each day. Which is fine. When one person's bad habits negatively affect another's health, it is wrong. Which is why if you do anything bad while drunk, you are punished more severely than if sober. Why can't weed be regulated the same way? Yes, it can mess you up. So can 3 pitchers of beer at your local bar.
Back to our Golden Boy, the man with the plan, the prince of the pool, the normal 20-year old. You can be sad if you want. You can think he is a poor role model if you want. You are likely a hypocrite anyway. I hope it turns out that he is a total stoner and has been since he was 15. Many successful people (and that is the Madison avenue, cul-de-sac suburbia model of success) partake in a little fun sometimes. Some may even smoke up on a regular basis, the same way many of you have a cocktail after work. Those evil smokers still hold down jobs, live in McMansions and drive Bimmers. You would like to think they wouldn't use a marijuana pipe (whatever that really is), but the fact is, the stuff is pretty much as harmless as a bottle of wine with dinner. So get over yourselves, and let King Michael Phelps, the Greatest Athlete (in our current attention span) lead to realize that marijuana should be legal, because how harmful could it be if someone destroying the worlds best in the pool for piles of gold uses it?
The arbitrary puritanical approach in our country is ludicrous at best. Smoking cigarettes is legal. Alcohol is legal. Is marijuana worse or more dangerous than those two? Studies show that nicotine and alcohol are more addictive than thc, the active ingredient in weed. Some studies even show that caffeine is more addictive than thc. Smoking tobacco is being restricted more and more each day. Which is fine. When one person's bad habits negatively affect another's health, it is wrong. Which is why if you do anything bad while drunk, you are punished more severely than if sober. Why can't weed be regulated the same way? Yes, it can mess you up. So can 3 pitchers of beer at your local bar.
Back to our Golden Boy, the man with the plan, the prince of the pool, the normal 20-year old. You can be sad if you want. You can think he is a poor role model if you want. You are likely a hypocrite anyway. I hope it turns out that he is a total stoner and has been since he was 15. Many successful people (and that is the Madison avenue, cul-de-sac suburbia model of success) partake in a little fun sometimes. Some may even smoke up on a regular basis, the same way many of you have a cocktail after work. Those evil smokers still hold down jobs, live in McMansions and drive Bimmers. You would like to think they wouldn't use a marijuana pipe (whatever that really is), but the fact is, the stuff is pretty much as harmless as a bottle of wine with dinner. So get over yourselves, and let King Michael Phelps, the Greatest Athlete (in our current attention span) lead to realize that marijuana should be legal, because how harmful could it be if someone destroying the worlds best in the pool for piles of gold uses it?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Rochester School Board Melee
ROCHESTER - Melee, brou-ha-ha, whatever you want to call it, the wackiness on the Rochester City School Board needs to stop. A dysfunctional board does not help the kids, and in case you didn't notice, the kids need help. I ran for school board two years ago and it was an eye opening experience. Not only did I get an up close and personal view of the serious issues involving and sinking the district, I also got a view of how fellow citizens viewed the school board itself. I will share the secret: it is not held in very high regard. It seems as though the general consensus is that you have to be crazy to be on the board. What a shame. Our best and brightest should be on the board. Like they say about computers, garbage in, garbage out. I believe our board could function just fine with a few reforms that I suggested in my campaign.
First off, there should be a joint committee that has both school board members and city council members. The reality is that the city pays a huge amount of money to operate the schools, yet they have no direct say. I don't believe that they need a direct say, but they should certainly have a platform to offer input, ideas, solutions and concerns. Not in a confrontational way like last week, but in a constructional manner suitable to adults elected to public office to do a job.
Second, the budget should be a public vote, like in the suburbs. This gives more accountability to a budget process that is too often left in secrecy. At least this way, the residents can give a general reaction to the board's activities. Essentially, the biggest part of the board member's job is to construct the budget. If the residents don't like it, they have to wait four budgets to show their displeasure. Lets speed that up. More democracy is never a bad thing.
Finally, the mayor should not have control over the district. This is not a knock on our current mayor. I believe the school district would benefit from Mayor Duffy's insight. However, the city has plenty of issues that need to be corrected outside of the school district. The crime rate is too high, home ownership too low, and jobs too few. The city should take care of its own back yard before knocking on their neighbors door. Additionally, since the mayor controls so much in city government, an anti-education mayor may be well thought of enough in other areas to avoid accountability for his poor education policy.
Our founding fathers warned us of the concentration of power in an executive. I share this concern. The school board is evidently quite dysfunctional at the moment. We can not, however, eliminate its role without allowing it to reach its potential. If we fill the board with brilliant minds, and it still can't get the job done, then maybe we explore other options. For now, more democracy is better.
First off, there should be a joint committee that has both school board members and city council members. The reality is that the city pays a huge amount of money to operate the schools, yet they have no direct say. I don't believe that they need a direct say, but they should certainly have a platform to offer input, ideas, solutions and concerns. Not in a confrontational way like last week, but in a constructional manner suitable to adults elected to public office to do a job.
Second, the budget should be a public vote, like in the suburbs. This gives more accountability to a budget process that is too often left in secrecy. At least this way, the residents can give a general reaction to the board's activities. Essentially, the biggest part of the board member's job is to construct the budget. If the residents don't like it, they have to wait four budgets to show their displeasure. Lets speed that up. More democracy is never a bad thing.
Finally, the mayor should not have control over the district. This is not a knock on our current mayor. I believe the school district would benefit from Mayor Duffy's insight. However, the city has plenty of issues that need to be corrected outside of the school district. The crime rate is too high, home ownership too low, and jobs too few. The city should take care of its own back yard before knocking on their neighbors door. Additionally, since the mayor controls so much in city government, an anti-education mayor may be well thought of enough in other areas to avoid accountability for his poor education policy.
Our founding fathers warned us of the concentration of power in an executive. I share this concern. The school board is evidently quite dysfunctional at the moment. We can not, however, eliminate its role without allowing it to reach its potential. If we fill the board with brilliant minds, and it still can't get the job done, then maybe we explore other options. For now, more democracy is better.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Do Casinos Have Theatres?
ROCHESTER - Do casinos have theatres? Hmm, the obvious answer is yes. 'Why do you ask?' you may be thinking. Well, because we have a large scale project that wants a theatre but doesn't have one. We have an arts community that is telling us (and not at all showing us) we need one. This reminded me of the fact that in the not too distant past there was quite a bit of clamoring for a downtown casino. Call it Niagara Falls envy if you will, but a casino can be an economic driver if done properly. Oh, and just maybe the builders would see fit to add a theatre space somewhere among the buffet tables and the craps tables because, you know, sometimes casinos like to have shows.
Renaissance Square is a worthy project as a transportation hub and an MCC campus. We need both of those things. We don't need a theatre. Boo hoo arts community, but if you can't convince private folks to raise the money, I don't want my tax dollars subsidizing it. Unlike our County leaders, I believe in market capitalism. I will keep attending Eastman and the Auditorium in the mean time. When we get so smug and cultured that we need another artistic outlet, I am certain some enterprising folks will develop a space for us.
Casinos are not exactly cultured, but they don't have to be seedy, either. There is a huge difference between the run down gambling halls and the entertainment center casinos. Sure, they both lend themselves to the enabling of gambling addicts. So does the State of New York and its lottery. But, casinos can also represent an entertainment venue that goes beyond nickel slots and all you can eat crab legs. Some of the best chefs in the world maintain restaurants in casinos. Some of the most popular shows in the world are on stage in casinos.
I propose that we allow a downtown casino to be built. The beauty is that this project would be funded privately, not by a government. We would also snag a downtown theatre out of it, assuming the builders follow the blueprint of every other casino in the world. It would add two entertainment options to our downtown, provide construction and best of all, keep the public from funding a theatre the market can't support.
Renaissance Square is a worthy project as a transportation hub and an MCC campus. We need both of those things. We don't need a theatre. Boo hoo arts community, but if you can't convince private folks to raise the money, I don't want my tax dollars subsidizing it. Unlike our County leaders, I believe in market capitalism. I will keep attending Eastman and the Auditorium in the mean time. When we get so smug and cultured that we need another artistic outlet, I am certain some enterprising folks will develop a space for us.
Casinos are not exactly cultured, but they don't have to be seedy, either. There is a huge difference between the run down gambling halls and the entertainment center casinos. Sure, they both lend themselves to the enabling of gambling addicts. So does the State of New York and its lottery. But, casinos can also represent an entertainment venue that goes beyond nickel slots and all you can eat crab legs. Some of the best chefs in the world maintain restaurants in casinos. Some of the most popular shows in the world are on stage in casinos.
I propose that we allow a downtown casino to be built. The beauty is that this project would be funded privately, not by a government. We would also snag a downtown theatre out of it, assuming the builders follow the blueprint of every other casino in the world. It would add two entertainment options to our downtown, provide construction and best of all, keep the public from funding a theatre the market can't support.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
New Year's Resolutions
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.
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.
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!
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