Adirondack Almanack has a useful guide to local judicial candidates for the state Supreme Court* as well as a link to a statewide guide.
*-The Supreme Court is actually the lowest level (trial) court in the New York state system and its justices are elected.
Monday, November 02, 2009
"Stalinists" for "McHugh's heir"?
Over the weekend, the Republican-endorsed candidate for the special election in New York's 23rd Congressional district Dede Scozzafava pulled out of the race. The race was provoked when GOP Rep. John McHugh was tapped by Pres. Obama to become Secretary of the Army.
Scozzzafava spent much of the campaign defending herself from a barrage of attacks by Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin and other far right national media types who backed her Republican-running-as-a-Conservative opponent Doug Hoffman. For his part, Hoffman was widely accused of being a generic ideologue who knew very little about and talked very little of issues that affect the district. This was fueled by his decision to skip both public debates held during the campaign, the first of which he snubbed to get cozy with Beck on his show.
Hoffman and the national far right that backed and funded him weren't running against Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens, who most couldn't tell from Eve and Adam. These jihadists were crusading against infidel RINOs and against satanic Nancy Pelosi. Democrats were no doubt licking their chops at this GOP self-cannibalization, hoping the party will become even more marginalized than it is now.
As Adirondack Almanack pointed out, on the day of Scozzafava's withdrawal, Hoffman said warm and fuzzy things about the woman he spent months savaging. Hoffman had initially promised to accept the wishes of the GOP party bosses in the nominating process; then when they tapped Scozzafava to be the nominee, he renegged on that promise. That history didn't stop him from piously praising Scozzafava for putting the party ahead of her own personal interests.
But then the Republican Assemblywoman endorsed Owens as the best man to represent the district's interests. As the only candidate in the race who'd ever actually had the job of representing the interests of any voters, her opinion wasn't insiginificant.
Suddenly Hoffman decided that he and Dede were no longer BFF!!!... forever being an even shorter time in politics than in adolescence.
Reactions to the developments varied on ideological beliefs. The New York Times' Frank Rich described the national activists on Hoffman's behalf as "Stalinists." Anti-abortion blogger Bob Conner at Planet Albany says that the "pro-life" (read: anti-abortion) Hoffman is the real heir to John McHugh on abortion.
Hopefully the voters of the 23rd (which do not include Rich, Conner or myself) will finally be allowed to make up their own minds without further meddling from outsiders.
Update: Planet Albany's Conner reports that top Republicans in the state Assembly are backing Hoffman. Controlling a whopping 26.7% of the chamber's seats, Assembly Republicans are no doubt the model of 'ideological purity = electoral success' that Hoffman and his far right backers are seeking to emulate.
Scozzzafava spent much of the campaign defending herself from a barrage of attacks by Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin and other far right national media types who backed her Republican-running-as-a-Conservative opponent Doug Hoffman. For his part, Hoffman was widely accused of being a generic ideologue who knew very little about and talked very little of issues that affect the district. This was fueled by his decision to skip both public debates held during the campaign, the first of which he snubbed to get cozy with Beck on his show.
Hoffman and the national far right that backed and funded him weren't running against Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens, who most couldn't tell from Eve and Adam. These jihadists were crusading against infidel RINOs and against satanic Nancy Pelosi. Democrats were no doubt licking their chops at this GOP self-cannibalization, hoping the party will become even more marginalized than it is now.
As Adirondack Almanack pointed out, on the day of Scozzafava's withdrawal, Hoffman said warm and fuzzy things about the woman he spent months savaging. Hoffman had initially promised to accept the wishes of the GOP party bosses in the nominating process; then when they tapped Scozzafava to be the nominee, he renegged on that promise. That history didn't stop him from piously praising Scozzafava for putting the party ahead of her own personal interests.
But then the Republican Assemblywoman endorsed Owens as the best man to represent the district's interests. As the only candidate in the race who'd ever actually had the job of representing the interests of any voters, her opinion wasn't insiginificant.
Suddenly Hoffman decided that he and Dede were no longer BFF!!!... forever being an even shorter time in politics than in adolescence.
Reactions to the developments varied on ideological beliefs. The New York Times' Frank Rich described the national activists on Hoffman's behalf as "Stalinists." Anti-abortion blogger Bob Conner at Planet Albany says that the "pro-life" (read: anti-abortion) Hoffman is the real heir to John McHugh on abortion.
Hopefully the voters of the 23rd (which do not include Rich, Conner or myself) will finally be allowed to make up their own minds without further meddling from outsiders.
Update: Planet Albany's Conner reports that top Republicans in the state Assembly are backing Hoffman. Controlling a whopping 26.7% of the chamber's seats, Assembly Republicans are no doubt the model of 'ideological purity = electoral success' that Hoffman and his far right backers are seeking to emulate.
Yes on NYS Constitutional Proposal #1
North Country Public Radio's blog has a piece on the two proposals to amend New York's state constitution that will appear on the ballot tomorrow.
Proposal #1 is a state land swap with the National Grid power conglomerate that would provide for more reliable electricity to the Tupper Lake area.
Proposal #2 would allow prisoners to voluntarily do work for non-profits.
The Watertown Daily Times decided to endorse both proposals.
Proposal #1 was strongly pushed for by local officials. But the move also has the broad support of the environmentalist community, getting the thumbs up from the the Adirondack Council. Environmental groups support the swap because it would, in the Council's words, avoid an environmentally disastrous six-mile detour through the woods... the detour would involve road construction through an old-growth forest, 95 streams and wetlands, and habitat for the endangered spruce grouse.
Don't forget to vote on these proposals tomorrow. They're usually at the very top of the ballot.
Proposal #1 is a state land swap with the National Grid power conglomerate that would provide for more reliable electricity to the Tupper Lake area.
Proposal #2 would allow prisoners to voluntarily do work for non-profits.
The Watertown Daily Times decided to endorse both proposals.
Proposal #1 was strongly pushed for by local officials. But the move also has the broad support of the environmentalist community, getting the thumbs up from the the Adirondack Council. Environmental groups support the swap because it would, in the Council's words, avoid an environmentally disastrous six-mile detour through the woods... the detour would involve road construction through an old-growth forest, 95 streams and wetlands, and habitat for the endangered spruce grouse.
Don't forget to vote on these proposals tomorrow. They're usually at the very top of the ballot.
Friday, October 30, 2009
How the beautiful people live
Normally, I buy The Post-Star at the newsstand every day, which may surprise readers of this blog, as I like to have something to read when I'm eating lunch. Sometimes if I'm eating dinner out, I'll buy a second newspaper. In the past, it's usually been the Albany Times-Union, but I haven't bought that recently because of the boycott against it.
I looked at the other papers. The Schenectady Gazette covers issues outside my region of interest. I deemed The Saratogian a poor use of my 75 cents (imagine a paper with less quality and content than The Post-Star that costs 50 percent more). I didn't feel like paying 6 bucks and leg and two fingers or whatever The New York Times is changing now. And there was no way I was giving a dime to Rupert Murdoch's New York Post. So I ended up getting a New York Daily News to read with my meatball sub. It's not the highest quality news organization but it has its entertainment value.
I was intrigued by a very unentertaining story about wife-beating allegations against a prominent TV news anchor. The big shot warned the judge, "I've appeared on the cover of The New York Times and TV Guide... I covered the state attorney general and the chief judge of the court," before bragging about how he knew the state's recently retired top judge.
First, the wife called 911 to accuse her husband of beating her. Now that the case has gone to trial, she's claiming she lied because she was mad at him; recantations under pressure are not that uncommon in domestic abuse cases. Though she did admit in court that her husband called her a "dumb, stupid, project bitch."
One argument in her defense was revealing, though. In recanting, she claimed that it was actually a day laborer, not her husband, who assaulted her, but that she couldn't remember his name.
"You don't ask a laborer his name," she explained. "You ask a laborer to work."
I don't quite get why showing a laborer the basic human dignity of asking his name is so taboo, why it goes without saying that she'd never do such a thing. But then again, I'm not part of the glitterati.
I looked at the other papers. The Schenectady Gazette covers issues outside my region of interest. I deemed The Saratogian a poor use of my 75 cents (imagine a paper with less quality and content than The Post-Star that costs 50 percent more). I didn't feel like paying 6 bucks and leg and two fingers or whatever The New York Times is changing now. And there was no way I was giving a dime to Rupert Murdoch's New York Post. So I ended up getting a New York Daily News to read with my meatball sub. It's not the highest quality news organization but it has its entertainment value.
I was intrigued by a very unentertaining story about wife-beating allegations against a prominent TV news anchor. The big shot warned the judge, "I've appeared on the cover of The New York Times and TV Guide... I covered the state attorney general and the chief judge of the court," before bragging about how he knew the state's recently retired top judge.
First, the wife called 911 to accuse her husband of beating her. Now that the case has gone to trial, she's claiming she lied because she was mad at him; recantations under pressure are not that uncommon in domestic abuse cases. Though she did admit in court that her husband called her a "dumb, stupid, project bitch."
One argument in her defense was revealing, though. In recanting, she claimed that it was actually a day laborer, not her husband, who assaulted her, but that she couldn't remember his name.
"You don't ask a laborer his name," she explained. "You ask a laborer to work."
I don't quite get why showing a laborer the basic human dignity of asking his name is so taboo, why it goes without saying that she'd never do such a thing. But then again, I'm not part of the glitterati.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Democratic whining
I think that the typical establishment liberal argument against voting for the Green Party ("they won't be able to do anything even if they do get a few seats") is slightly undermined by the fact that the Dems are sniveling about GOP obstructionism even though they control the presidency and 59% majorities in both houses of Congress. Do the numbers really ever get any more favorable than this? Stop whining and start governing. Or get out of the way.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
GOP intellectual bankruptcy
I heard a great example of the intellectual bankruptcy of the modern Republican Party this morning. In an NPR report on stalled efforts to extend unemployment insurance, Democratic majority leader Harry Reid blamed Republican attempts to load the bill down with amendments with partisan amendments on completely unrelated issues.
One GOP senator dismissed Reid's criticisms by pointing out that because the Democrats have 60 seats, they can do whatever they want, including shoving things through against Republican objections.
Then another Republican, Texas Sen. Jon Cornyn, whined that the meanie Democrats were now being partisan by trying to clamp down on those unrelated GOP amendments.
So if Democrats actually try to get things done, they're being "partisan." But if they try to work with obstinate Republicans, it's their own fault for not steamrolling them.
One GOP senator dismissed Reid's criticisms by pointing out that because the Democrats have 60 seats, they can do whatever they want, including shoving things through against Republican objections.
Then another Republican, Texas Sen. Jon Cornyn, whined that the meanie Democrats were now being partisan by trying to clamp down on those unrelated GOP amendments.
So if Democrats actually try to get things done, they're being "partisan." But if they try to work with obstinate Republicans, it's their own fault for not steamrolling them.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
An incoherent endorsement
See if you can make heads or tails out of this endorsement by The Post-Star.
The paper gave its nod for the 5th Ward Glens Falls Common Council seat to Republican challenger Heath Morris over Democratic incumbent Ben Driscoll.
The daily described Driscoll as quiet and deliberate, calmly discussing the infrastructure issues in his ward and checking off programs that could be pared to shave the city budget... He also is careful about moving full-steam-ahead with a revaluation in the city, fearful of what impact it might have on struggling homeowners, and about ripping up South Street without finding a place for the citizens they displace. He's very visible in his ward and keeps in touch with his constituents.
What a monster!
According to the paper, the incumbent seems to be doing a good job, yet the Council needs new blood.
Morris swore on his mother's grave that he wouldn't raise taxes. Amazingly, the paper admits that it's not sure how he plans to pull that off but went gaga over the vague rhetoric anyway.
Who writes this stuff?!
Oh wait, a Pulitzer Prize winner.
I'm not sure if that cheap pandering was the reason Morris got the paper's endorsement or because Driscoll doesn't shamelessly grandstand, in contrast to the late Rep. Jerry Solomon (Morris' former mentor) or another Post-Star endorsee, Queensbury town supervisor Dan Stec.
I know Ben Driscoll and I endorse him for the Council. I urge you to vote for him... unless you agree with the Post-Star that being "quiet," "deliberative" and keeping in touch with constituents are heinous liabilities.
The paper gave its nod for the 5th Ward Glens Falls Common Council seat to Republican challenger Heath Morris over Democratic incumbent Ben Driscoll.
The daily described Driscoll as quiet and deliberate, calmly discussing the infrastructure issues in his ward and checking off programs that could be pared to shave the city budget... He also is careful about moving full-steam-ahead with a revaluation in the city, fearful of what impact it might have on struggling homeowners, and about ripping up South Street without finding a place for the citizens they displace. He's very visible in his ward and keeps in touch with his constituents.
What a monster!
According to the paper, the incumbent seems to be doing a good job, yet the Council needs new blood.
Morris swore on his mother's grave that he wouldn't raise taxes. Amazingly, the paper admits that it's not sure how he plans to pull that off but went gaga over the vague rhetoric anyway.
Who writes this stuff?!
Oh wait, a Pulitzer Prize winner.
I'm not sure if that cheap pandering was the reason Morris got the paper's endorsement or because Driscoll doesn't shamelessly grandstand, in contrast to the late Rep. Jerry Solomon (Morris' former mentor) or another Post-Star endorsee, Queensbury town supervisor Dan Stec.
I know Ben Driscoll and I endorse him for the Council. I urge you to vote for him... unless you agree with the Post-Star that being "quiet," "deliberative" and keeping in touch with constituents are heinous liabilities.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Right-wing chicken gives finger to voters
Whoever's advising Doug Hoffman, Conservative "party" candidate for New York's 23rd Congressional district, really ought to turn in their resignations. The campaign thought it would be a brilliant idea to skip the first of only two debates scheduled for the race in order to hobnob with Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity.
Apparently, the right-wing candidate figured the yap show hosts would provide more sympathetic company than meanie-faced journalists asking meanie-faced questions.
Hoffman seems completely contemptuous of the idea of having to answer to the residents of the 23rd. Let's hope the voters grant him his wish.
The right-winger seems more interested in building his national name recognition for a higher profile race than actually winning this one. After recent polls were released, I thought Hoffman might've had a chance to win, but the giant middle finger he's giving to the voters should sabotage that chance.
The Conservative "party" candidate has also so far refused to commit to participating in the race's other scheduled debate.
Much like former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin who endorsed him, Hoffman seems more interested in chit-chatting with friendly right-wing media elites than having to demonstrate his knowledge of issues in the area he hopes to represent. I'm not endorsing either of the other two candidates in the race. But if Hoffman won't answer your questions, he doesn't deserve your vote.
Apparently, the right-wing candidate figured the yap show hosts would provide more sympathetic company than meanie-faced journalists asking meanie-faced questions.
Hoffman seems completely contemptuous of the idea of having to answer to the residents of the 23rd. Let's hope the voters grant him his wish.
The right-winger seems more interested in building his national name recognition for a higher profile race than actually winning this one. After recent polls were released, I thought Hoffman might've had a chance to win, but the giant middle finger he's giving to the voters should sabotage that chance.
The Conservative "party" candidate has also so far refused to commit to participating in the race's other scheduled debate.
Much like former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin who endorsed him, Hoffman seems more interested in chit-chatting with friendly right-wing media elites than having to demonstrate his knowledge of issues in the area he hopes to represent. I'm not endorsing either of the other two candidates in the race. But if Hoffman won't answer your questions, he doesn't deserve your vote.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)