Sesame Street is about 40 years old.  Monty Python? Well, it is older than Brian. Can you imagine Python skits being produced today? Can you imagine a major theater release of something like the Life of Brian?

Well - Sesame Street has a history of innovation. I was reminded of it in an episode of Wait, Wait, Don’t tell me. See, Sesame street showed, well - breastfeeding.

Makes me miss all that fake outrage over Janet Jackson’s millesecond of “fame”.

Can you imagine this today?

Good news for hydrogen fuel cell supporters, including (thank you!) Louise Slaughter. Another New York pilot fueling station is under construction in Hempstead, on Long Island. It will join New York State’s other fueling station, which is already operating here in Monroe County.

The $2-million pumping station to be built by the Town of Hempstead and state and local partners such as National Grid will dispense three types of fuel: pure hydrogen, straight compressed natural gas, and a blend of hydrogen and compressed natural gas. A monitoring system will collect data on vehicle performance and help officials determine hydrogen’s viability as a mass-market fuel.

“It will help us to actually evaluate the potential to develop hydrogen-based fuels for industrial, commercial and consumer use,” Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray said at a news conference yesterday.

General Motors provided a hydrogen-fueled car for the ribbon cutting. Do you think it’s the same car driven to Washington by Eric Massa?

File this under weird.  Via the Times of London

Ryanair’s chief executive caused howls of protest today when he suggested that the airline may charge passengers £1 to use its toilets.

Michael O’Leary said that the carrier had been investigating fitting coin slots to the doors of aircraft toilets, similar to those installed at train stations.

“One thing we have looked at in the past and are looking at again is the possibility of maybe putting a coin slot on the toilet door so that people might actually have to spend a pound to spend a penny in future,” he told BBC Breakfast this morning.

Then there was this bit of a retraction

After the controversy erupted, Mr O’Leary’s team appeared to backtrack.

A statement issued by the Ryanair marketing team shortly after midday said: “Michael makes a lot of this stuff up as he goes along and while this has been discussed internally there are no immediate plans to introduce it.

Crazy talk

The snappy headline above is actually the lead from this story in Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post. Tom Topousis is the writer… we’ll need to keep an eye on him!

Finally, someone is fighting for the rich guys.

A group of powerful business organizations is preparing to fight a proposed “millionaire’s tax” they say will drive affluent New Yorkers out of state.

Taxpayers for an Affordable NY includes the Business Council of New York, the Real Estate Board of New York, and the Rent Stabilization Association - a trio of groups that came together once before, in the early 1990s, to fight property tax hikes.

Now that the governor may be softening on tax fairness, it’s time to roll out the big guns. After all, these guys expect the governor to keep his promises.

After a speech to a joint session of Congress and budget submission listen to President Obama’s weekly address. a couple of choice quotes…

This budget reflects the stark reality of what we have inherited.  A trillion dollar deficit, financial crisis and costly recession.

and

… this [the budget] is a threat to the status the status quo in Washington.

Have a listen..

Now, about those references to “Clean Coal technology”

OK hear me out - anyone think about this?  A buddy of mine exchange books with each other and he sent me a package using his the DTV cable box.  I didn’t think anything of it.  I mean I have  DTV, and cable for my other set.  But I got to thinking..

The government sends you a $40 dollar coupon - these boxes sell for $20 at various Box stores meaning the MSRP is $60 dollars. $60 dollars.  What the heck is in these boxes?

A circuit board wrapped in sheet metal.  The technology is stable, nothing special for $60 dollars.  Someone is rolling in dough. We can’t make these here?

Where are these made again?

Last week we talked with Dan Maloney about keeping GM’s fuel cell manufacturing here, in Monroe County. Today, Louise Slaughter has taken steps to make this a reality. From today’s press release:

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the
House Committee on Rules, today urged Richard Wagoner, the CEO Of General Motors (GM)
to commit to establish future fuel cell manufacturing operations in Rochester, NY.

The entire press release can be found below the fold…….

Read the rest of this entry »

VN:F [1.9.6_1107]

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Share and Enjoy:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Our very own, Louise Slaughter, has been determined to be the most liberal member of the House of Representatives. From Buffalo Biz:

Rep. Louise Slaughter is the most liberal member of the U.S. House of Representatives, according to ratings released Friday by National Journal, a weekly political magazine.

Slaughter was one of 11 House members to receive a score of 93.2 percent on National Journal’s liberal ideological scale, the highest mark for anyone in that chamber.

[snip]

National Journal has rated the ideological leanings of House and Senate members every year since 1981, based on an analysis of roll-call votes for selected economic, social and foreign-policy legislation.

This new ratings were based on 88 House votes and 79 Senate roll calls in 2008.

Now, being the militant liberal of the group, I think this is totally groovy, but what does it actually mean to be a liberal? Is this something to be proud of? I will bow to one with greater intellect to define and qualify the term:

…if by a “Liberal” they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a “Liberal,” then I’m proud to say I’m a “Liberal.” John F. Kennedy

Hey-I think I’m proud!

I hope that Eric and Dan will follow suit.

A month later than originally promised, Governor Paterson is coming to Rochester to meet the public in a Town Hall Metting. Wednesday, March 11th at the Convention Center. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with the event scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

On January 5, Governor Paterson announced that he would hold a series of town hall meetings across Upstate New York to give the public a chance to discuss New York’s fiscal crisis. The first of those meetings was held in Watertown on January 11, followed by meetings in Johnstown on January 30, Auburn on January 31 and Binghamton on February 11. Governor Paterson held his first Student Town Hall meeting at Morrisville State College on February 12.

Those wishing to attend any of the above meetings are asked to RSVP on the Governor’s website at www.ny.gov/governor/townhalls. RSVP’s are not required for admittance. Those wishing to submit questions or comments may do so at the same address. For all town hall meetings, seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The following morning he will appear in Geneseo, so the governor is probably staying in Rochester overnight. Let’s hope he gets himself a reasonable room rate, and not at the Crowne Plaza.

Yeah Robitis.

Per the Censuring commission:  “…she did so because she mistakenly thought a secretary’s duties “included providing the judge with assistance on personal matters,”

So Judge Dandrea Ruhlmann believes that her court secretary - Kimberly Keskin’s- job duties include providing assistance on personal matters.  Rightfully so Ruhlmann got censured.  Via the D&C

In January 2004, only weeks into her first year on the bench, Monroe County Family Court Judge Dandrea Ruhlmann found herself with an ill daughter and no alternate child care arrangements.

So she had confidential secretary Kimberly Keskin watch the child, take the girl to the doctor and go to the pharmacy for the youngster’s prescription.

So the slipping slope starts - and continues

That incident was one of a number of occasions when Ruhlmann “repeatedly used her secretary, Kimberly Keskin, to provide child care services during court hours,” the commission stated. “It is clear from the record that such services were not limited to situations when there were exigent or compelling reasons.”

and eventually

But Keskin sued Ruhlmann in late 2004, maintaining that she was fired by Ruhlmann after balking at requests to perform child care and other chores not related to her job.

But this piece didn’t make the D&C.  Via law.com

Keskin also compiled a list of seven occasions in which the judge required her to type documents or correspondence on behalf of Mr. Ruhlmann, such as updating his resume or sending an e-mail requesting an application, during business hours.

On more than one occasion, Judge Ruhlmann ordered Keskin to put the typing duties before her court responsibilities. In one instance, according to Keskin, the judge adjourned an adoption proceeding for two weeks so Keskin could devote her time to Mr. Ruhlmann’s work.

Geez - what a piece of work.  Even Lonsberry wants her head an interesting read to be sure.

With each passing week, we discover more victims of Governor Paterson’s budget proposal. This time it’s legal aid. Even as demand for their services grows, the Governor’s budget would slash 30% from non-profits who provide free and low-cost legal services to the poor.

The economic crisis will only increase the need for legal help, “as workers confront difficulties accessing unemployment benefits, families confront potential foreclosure, the elderly face reduced or denied benefits, and those in need of assistance face increased barriers and illegal denials of that assistance,” said Anne Erickson, president and CEO of the Empire Justice Center. The group is located in Albany, Rochester and White Plains.

The growing roll call…

Those who pay: Public Employees. The unemployed. The poor and the sick. The middle class. SUNY students. Bambi. Mentally ill inmates. Taxpayers who use paper forms. The lawyer-less.

Those who slide: The Governor’s inner circle. Donald Trump. Empire Zones. Wealthy New Yorkers.

Well, this is long over due. Might even say it has grown stale - It hasn’t. There actually is life outside the blog and this is still a topic of conversation in some of my political circles (just spoke about it earlier in the week). So let me weigh in as others have done. (Rotten had a couple of posts, Here is another one).

Frankly, this isn’t news - had anyone been involved in their local committees or gone to hear Eric speak in November or December, he announced the change in strategy back then. At issue here, at least for me, is the D&C assertion that Massa is a Hypocrite.

Is Massa a Hypocrite? No,

The D&C op-ed called Massa a hypocrite. Now, one of the qualifications of being a hypocrite is to actually do one thing while saying another.

Massa had his opportunity to be a hypocrite last election cycle. I was in a room when a variety of political consultants recommended that candidate Massa do just that - take corporate PAC money.

The room was packed with about 20 consultants brought it to discuss the campaign. RT was also invited and a few of us attended. Ultimately, there was a point blank question asked - should he accept campaign contributions from Corporate PACs? PAC money was on the table with lots more in the pipeline as I recall. Everyone seated around the room (save for Massa’s staff) was asked their opinion. As everyone gave their opinion, there was no dissent - none. This includes varying degrees of flippant disregard and contempt for some supporters’ attitudes. Everyone in that room recommended Massa take corporate PAC money. Everyone, except me.

I was the last one to speak and in a surreal and an awkward moment - I simply said that he would be breaking a promise he made not to take corporate PAC money this cycle and made reference to the Randy Kuhl ad that would simply write itself. There was more, much more, but that’s enough. A few days later Massa issued a statement saying Corporate PAC money was off the table. Massa kept his promise.

As I said earlier, one of the qualifications of being a hypocrite is to actually do one thing while saying another. I don’t recall Massa renouncing Corporate PAC money forever or even the next cycle. He also knows that if you want to make changes you have to be in office.

So, now that the election is over - the next step is to remain in office. Sure, the system sucks, no Clean Money / Clean Election (which Massa supports), and he’s immediately going on the re-election trail. About 20 months to raise a war chest starting off 90K in debt. Basically, start over AND be a Congressman who delivers to his constituents.

But that is the system in which we live, and until it changes - why would Massa unilaterally disarm?

You can read more of my thoughts about Candidate Massa vs Congressman Massa below the fold.

Read the rest of this entry »

OK, time to weigh in  I’ve been meaning to address it but keep getting distracted with other commitments.  So let’s start.   Last week the D&C editorial staff wrote an op-ed about Massa’s decision to accept corporate PAC money. In it they said,

Suddenly, Democratic Rep. Eric Massa, who campaigned vigorously against corporate influence in last fall’s election, now says he’ll accept corporate campaign money. Another one bites the dust.

[snip]

The problem, though, is: Where does this merry-go-round stop? Challengers typically paint incumbents as being in the pockets of corporate interests. But when they become incumbents, suddenly they develop a new way of thinking.

[snip]

What’s needed are candidates with the political courage to stick their necks out for what they say they believe in.

How quickly they forget. President Obama succeeded largely on the backs of voters who made small donations. But it must not be excused that he, too, reneged on his promise to embrace public financing once his campaign war chest started to swell.

It is what it is: Hypocrisy.

So per the D&C, Massa is a hypocrite because ” when they become incumbents, suddenly they develop a new way of thinking.”

Massa responded with a guest essay.

As you can probably guess, the majority of the 32 questions I was asked were about the economic stimulus package that was recently signed into law. We also discussed many other recent events that have occurred in Congress during my first month and a half there. I was not surprised, but very disappointed to see that they had again decided to issue another negative attack piece against me.

[snip]

They never weighed in on the fact that I have always supported Clean Money/Clean Election reforms to eliminate high-dollar contributions from elections.

We are in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Last month, 598,000 Americans lost their jobs, but the Democrat and Chronicle would rather focus on taking shots at me without presenting a balanced or thoughtful approach to the real issues facing Americans.

So, how many op-ed pieces did the D&C write about each of our 111th Congress folks? Sounds like someone is trying to manufacture a news story. I’ve never known Massa to shy away from questions and give you anything but his assessment.  32 questions and the D&C focus’ on a strategy change?

I’ll have more on accepting Corporate PAC money, a much longer post shortly (maybe tomorrow). You can weigh in there with comments.

N.Y. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli revealed today that IDA’s are a lousy deal.

DiNapoli found that the cost of adding one IDA-related job at an average IDA rose 7.9 percent from 2006 to 2007, to $4,527. That figure represents the net tax exemptions granted to a project divided by the net number of jobs that the project created.

In 2007, IDAs created 2,300 fewer jobs than they did in 2006, a 1 percent drop. That’s despite an 8.3 percent rise in the number of IDA-backed projects.

Yes, we are spending more to get less…. and that’s assuming you take the IDA job-creation numbers at face value. What about a company who gets COMIDA money, then announces layoffs just before beginning their “job creation” project? Go here for a comprehensive re-cap of everything unlovable about COMIDA.

The job hunt continues, and in this economy, you can’t leave any stone unturned.  I’d heard good things about RochesterWorks, so I headed on down to their N. Goodman office (right across from Village Gate).

It seemed like it was some kind of professional career center:

RochesterWorks, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation has been designated by the County of Monroe and the City of Rochester to administer the workforce development funds targeted for Monroe County .  RochesterWorks, Inc. serves as fiscal agent, research and development staff and system operator for the Workforce Investment Board (WIB).

RochesterWorks, Inc. manages over $6 million annually in employment and training resources designed to serve job seekers and businesses through the workforce development system known as RochesterWorks! 

But in reality, even though they have professional-track workshops, it’s the career center for the unemployment office.  And I realized as I looked around the waiting room, the unemployed aren’t just unfortunate nameless faceless people in the city.  I was surrounded by professionals and laborers, of all races and socioeconomic status– white, black, asian, tattered clothes to business suits.

For the past 3 years we’ve been saying here on RT that “we all do better when we all do better”, and “we’re all in the same boat”.  I’ve always believed that– this just made that even more real.

As I sat there, I realized that my tax money has gone into paying all their salaries, for heating the building, for training up the counselors, and for keeping their computers in good working order.  It reminded me again that although there’s wasteful government spending (see: Iraq War), efficient use of taxpayer money eventually benefits us all.