That’s the question everyone wants answered from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. At first, it looked like a near certainty that she would jump into the race for US Senate against the appointed incumbent, Kirsten Gillibrand.

But with each passing day, that’s looking less and less likely. Earlier today, her own campaign staff was throwing cold water on the idea of a statewide run, saying that she was probably not going to follow through on her desire to challenge Gillibrand in the Democratic primary.

Politico has the scoop:

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is leaning heavily against challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in next year’s primary, according to several prominent New York pols who have spoken with her in recent days.

“She told me she probably wasn’t going to do it,” said one New Yorker who has been in contact with the Manhattan Democrat.

Sources cautioned that the mercurial Maloney — reportedly incensed by the efforts of the White House and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) to force her out of the race — hasn’t made a final decision.

The article goes on to point out that the Maloney campaign, which is still unofficial at this point, has suffered some big setbacks in recent days. Her fundraising has been unable to even match half the amount of money that Gillibrand has been raking in. Then there was the truly bizarre incident earlier this month in which Maloney, during an interview with a newspaper reporter from NYC, used the “N”-word to somehow attack her wouldbe opponent. And of course, Gillibrand keeps racking up an army of endorsements.

In sum, Maloney’s campaign has been in trouble even before it started. If the congresswoman is to salvage her political influence and any chance she has of winning this race, she needs to fish or cut bait — and she can’t wait until after the August recess.

The latest court decision allows the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor to keep his job until the case is heard. He can keep the position, but he can’t do anything on the job.

An appeals court has ruled Richard Ravitch can keep serving as lieutenant governor during a legal fight over his appointment — but he can’t preside over the state Senate.

Thursday’s Appellate Division ruling in Brooklyn leaves Ravitch in place at least until an Aug. 18 hearing on the dispute over the appointment. The Senate is not currently in session but a special session has been called for Thursday to deal with New York City mayoral control of the schools and possibly other issues.

Well, I’m back in D.C.  Just got off a bus to attend a big rally for Medicare.  Today is Medicare’s 44th year in existence.  44 years ago the law was signed and 11 months later the program enacted.  Seems fairly straight forward as opposed to 5 year delay for what is passing of the public option.

Anyway, I’m scheduled for lobby visits with both our Senators.   Friends are visiting Congressman Maffei - the hope is to get a concrete answer on Health Care.  Massa is on the list as well as, frankly all of our NY reps.

Should be a long and interesting day - Look for video over the weekend after I return.

Finally I’ll leave you with this solid comment by jazzbaby.

The US Government runs the health care system for our Vets, they run the system for our Seniors, they run the system for our Poor and Disabled…they even cover the US Congress…so why should the Middle Class be left out and have to struggle with insurance companies that say “No way” to what the doctor orders?

We don’t need Middle Men Insurance Companies making decisions for the Middle Class that the physicians should be making.

enuf said.

Over at DFE, Jon Greenbaum has a post up about the new House Health Care Reform Bill.  His claim- It doesn’t suck.

Although Jon makes some good points:

….. Social Security began as a lame compromise. Southern racist Congressional representatives made sure that the deal excluded “domestic workers” and “agricultural workers,” thereby shutting out many if not most black and brown Americans. And government didn’t even nationalize the whole pension system. It allowed the private pension system to continue. And that’s with guys like my grandfather running amok in inner cities around the country, causing nightmares for the FBI.

But Social Security isn’t so bad for a half-assed compromise that started as an incremental reform. Before Social Security older Americans were totally on their own and half of all senior citizens descended into poverty.

Americans now have a fundamental right to government-provided Social Security insurance. We also have a right to an education. However, although most communities are pretty good about providing them, Americans don’t have a right to roads, libraries or fire protection.

I have to disagree with the, “doesn’t suck”, part.

Jon seems to posit that, at least this bill gives us something to work with-No,it doesn’t cover everyone and No, it’s not available on day one and No, the profit motive is not removed from health care and No, it’s not portable.  But, it’s something to work with.

So, how exactly does that work ?   I understand incrementalism and think it’s a fine way to move forward from square 1.  We’re already on square 102.  The time for incrementalism has passed us by.  We need a significant change to put health care reform on a path to recovery.

Jon and I agree that change has to happen, we just disagree on how to get there.

Dare I say, HR 676?

The Democratic chairs of the 11 county parties in the 23rd district have announced the candidates who will officially be considered for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming special election. No one name jumps out at me, as no state senators or assemblycritters are running. The Albany Times-Union got their hands on the list and the Watertown Daily Times has some bio information on some of them:

• Andy Bisselle: lost the Republican nomination to Assemblywoman Scozzafava, but now he’s looking for the Democratic nod
• Stu Brody: former Essex County Democratic Party chair
• Steve Burke: Macomb town Democratic Party chair
• Danny Francis: 1994 nominee against the retiring Rep. John McHugh
• Bob Johnson: 2006 nominee
• Rudolph Johnson: ?
• Brian McGrath: attorney willing to self-finance much of his campaign
• David Ryan: ?
• John Sullivan: former Mayor of Oswego
• Michael Oot: 2008 nominee
• Bill Owens: attorney and registered independent

Two things that are noteworthy about the list: there are no currently elected officials and there are no women. But that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. After all, Scott Murphy isn’t a woman and had never run for office before beating another popular Republican Assemblyman from upstate.

The county chairs plan to meet face-to-face for an interview with each of the candidates on August 10th and will make their decision shortly thereafter.

Sarah Palin keeps saying goodbye, and her speeches keep mystifying us. Last week we shared Vanity Fair’s contribution, showing how an editor might render the speech understandable. This week, Conan O’Brien helpfully provided William Shatner to illustrate the poetic side of Sarah’s speeches:

Oops, the video is not longer atYoutube. Click here to see it at NBC

Check out this story on News 10NBC

News 10NBC has video tape of the most recent Monroe County Legislature meeting. This is what is heard on the tape.

Clerk of the Legislature: Mr. Eckel?
Steve Eckel, (D) County Legislator:  Yes, for whistle blower protection.
Clerk: Mr. Esposito?
Voice: Jesus… Retard.

And that voice?  Per the Democratic Caucus it belongs to none other than Majority Leader Dan Quatro.

The official county video tape of the meeting does not show Mr. Quatro saying the words, but video tape from a different angle — provided by county Democrats — shows Mr. Quatro’s microphone was the only one close to any Republican lawmaker’s mouth. And the timing shows that Mr. Quatro moves it away from his mouth right after the comment was made. Mr. Quatro was the only Republican lawmaker to speak at the meeting for a long period of time prior to the comment.

Mr Quatro’s response -

“When I heard about the accusations I reviewed the tape. I listened to it,” Quatro said. “It doesn’t sound like me. I have absolutely no recollection of saying anything like that.”

It is an insult to people with disabilities because “”Retard” or the “R-word” is equally as offensive as slurs commonly known and thoroughly rejected for African-Americans, Hispanics, Jews and women.”

This points to a bigger issue - Respect for fellow lawmakers.

Disagree on policy issues - sure and in my opinion the local GOP is wrong on most things political.

However, in the end, this elected body is supposed to represent all of Monroe County through each legislator who is elected to represent their district.

Trouble is no respect coming across the aisle from the GOP.

Dan Quatro is wrong here.

Longtime proponents of the unfunded theater component  say they are giving up on RenSquare.

The Rochester Broadway Theatre League is abandoning plans to build a new theater in the heart of downtown Rochester following a vote Friday by city council to eliminate the theater from plans for Renaissance Square.

At a press conference Wednesday at the Auditorium Theatre, RBTL Board Chairman Arnold Rothschild said the organization will begin looking at locations in other Monroe County towns and villages to build the theater.

Rumors have been circulating the last few days… are you ready for this… backers want to build the theater at Irondequoit Mall, er, Medley Centre.

Okay, the birth certificate issue is finally going our way. Lou Dobbs is on board. El Rushbo is on board. Now for the coup de grace. Let’s send G. Gordon Liddy into the MSNBC lion’s den to bring it home. Oops, maybe another spokesperson would’ve been better. Or maybe when you’re slicing baloney, it doesn’t matter how thick or thin the slices are.

Uh-oh, this isn’t good. Conservatives Ann Coulter and Mike Huckabee go on Fox News to say the birth certificate thing is nonsense:

Hey, what about this… Not only is Obama not a U.S. citizen, he appoints people with crazy far-left ideas. Like the Science Czar who wants forced abortions and sterilization. Take a look:

The president has more “czars” running around than Mother Russia. It’s mondo bizarro. Kind of fitting, though; must be a communist thing.

Still, as the debate over Obama’s multi-trillion dollar pet experiment in socialized health care reaches terminal velocity, one of his newest czars underscores - in permanent marker - the true depth of BHO’s deep-seated radicalism. His choice of Harvard professor and self-styled “neo-Malthusian” John Holdren as “science czar” provides the latest and perhaps most troubling example of just how bad America really muffed it last November. It could give us a sneak-peak into the not-so-distant future should this Obamacare-health-scare become reality.

In the name of population control, Holdren has advocated both forced abortion and compulsory sterilization through government-administered tainting of the water supply. In a book he co-authored, entitled “Ecoscience: Population, Resources, Environment,” Holdren calls for a “Planetary Regime” to enforce mandatory abortions and limit the use of natural resources.

If it were true, the wingnuts would really have something! Holdren did write on the topic of overpopulation 30 years ago, but his views have changed since then.  The topic was throughly explored during his confirmation hearings and Holdren’s nomination was approved by unanimous consent in the Senate.

Circle the wagons. We’re losing Mike Huckabee. We’re losing Ann Coulter. A now it’s hitting closer to home. What’s up lately with Bob  Lonsbery? An appreciative pat on the lonsberries for Mr. FUBO, who this week unleashed a scathing history of Ren Square and applauds its demise:

In its final years, the Renaissance Square project contracted into a small group of people driven by greed and ego, and in their center was Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. With each passing month their voices became more shrill and their prospects became more dark.

Ultimately, the only people behind this project were the original theater people, intent on erecting a monument to themselves, and the people who stood to profit from it. That included unions, engineering and construction firms, and the county executive and Republican Party they contribute to.

Run roughshod over the entire history of the project was the will of the people. At no point did Renaissance Square enjoy popular support, and as the years passed, sentiment hardened against it.

Unfortunately, project boosters never noticed or cared. It was their way or the highway and nobody better get in their way.

Hey kids! Would you like to grow up and become a reporter, just like Clark Kent or Lois Lane? Get started by becoming a Student Wingnut Reporter. Send your wingnut tips to sbr (at) rochesterturning.com

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is coming out strongly against toy gun manufacturers. To avoid any possible tragedies in which armed people or police officers shoot at those who are playing with toy guns, the state and federal government have issued regulations for the manufacturing of these toy guns. The New York state statute is stricter than the federal law, as you might expect. But according to Attorney General Cuomo, these regulations are not being followed and he’s ready to throw the book at them.

Democrat and Chronicle:

State law mandates that toy guns must have an orange stripe across the barrel and an orange cap at the end of the barrel. Toy guns also may not come in realistic colors, such as black, blue or silver. The law was passed in the 1980s and is stricter than the federal law.

However, retailers, manufacturers and distributers across the state have been flouting the law for a long time, Cuomo said. Cease-and-desist letters will go out today, requiring these entities to stop selling these illegal toy guns in the next few days. Those who do not comply will face immediate fines of up to $1,000 per illegal sale, Cuomo said.

I’m a strong supporter of gun rights, but this is just common sense. Are we really supposed to believe that putting an orange knob at the end of a toy gun is going to cut into toy gun sales? If anything, making them more colorful would just increase the appeal to their main patrons, children.

Read this article on how the public option has evolved into something it wasn’t meant to be.

Here is the premise…

When the “public option” campaign began, its leaders promoted a huge “Medicare-like” program that would enroll about 130 million people. Such a program would dwarf even Medicare, which, with its 45 million enrollees, is the nation’s largest health insurer, public or private. But today “public option” advocates sing the praises of tiny “public options” contained in congressional legislation sponsored by leading Democrats that bear no resemblance to the original model.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the “public options” described in the Democrats’ legislation might enroll 10 million people and will have virtually no effect on health care costs, which means the “public options” cannot, by themselves, have any effect on the number of uninsured. But the leaders of the “public option” movement haven’t told the public they have abandoned their original vision. It’s high time they did.

You should read openleft’s take as well as the comments.  All this in light of the Senate supposedly taking the public option off the table (Back to Co-ops not a “Public Option”).

Remember Howard Dean and Sen Gillibrand use the term “medicare for all.”  So as they advocate for a public  option like “Medicare for all” - Is that really what they are going to get?  Is there a path to even get to “Medicare for all given the current bills under consideration in Congress (either on the floor or in committees)?

Again - as I’ve said time and time again why we need to fight for something that is defined.

Once in a while, a story comes over the ticker in the RT newsroom that is just… baffling. Such as this one about Chuck E. Cheese losing its license for their video game arcade in Amherst:

The three board members who voted against the license had varying reasons for doing so. Schratz was concerned about the types of games Chuck E. Cheese’s offered.

Council Member Guy Marlette voted against granting the town license because he said the board should have more specifics on what the game room license is for and was concerned about the number of police calls to that location. He said when he participated in the Citizen Police Academy in the spring, officers told him that the Chuck E. Cheese’s on Harlem Road was one of their top trouble spots.

He and Council Member Daniel Ward - who also voted no - both argue that if the Town Board is ultimately responsible for approving game room licenses, it should be receiving reports about the game room operators from the town staff, not rubber-stamping their approvals. Ward, who always votes against game room licenses, said he didn’t think the board should be involved in licensing at all.

Even so, when the Chuck E. Cheese’s resolution failed to pass Monday, the entire board seemed surprised. Schratz - who was the first to express concern about the appropriateness of the business’s arcade games - tried to change her vote after the fact and table the resolution.

“I should have-and I didn’t - just table it from the start,” she said. “But I thought if I brought to the board’s attention the information about the games that I saw, that people would comment. But they didn’t.”

After much confusion, parliamentary discussion and consultation, Schratz gave up trying to change her vote and said she would address the issue at another time. She said she wants assurances from Chuck E. Cheese’s corporate office that more violent games designed for older children are clearly marked as off limits to children under a certain age.

Supervisor Satish Mohan and Council Members Mark Manna and Barry Weinstein voted in favor of the game room license. Manna was particularly vocal about the resolution’s defeat.

“By what moral authority does Shelly Schratz have to go into a business and say what you have is not age-appropriate?” he said. “It’s clearly Shelly sticking her nose in where it doesn’t belong. I’ve never seen games [there] that are gory or explicit. There is more violence in a Bugs Bunny cartoon.”

So how, exactly, did the 19th Amendment get passed?  Was a bill created in the House after Susan B.Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton politely queried their representatives about their 0pinions on women’s suffrage?  Or did arrests take place and did women’s suffrage turn into women’s sufferage?  From PBS’s American Experience:

In late June 1917, six women were arrested. Eleven more were detained on July 4. Ten days later, a third group was taken into custody. All the women were charged with “obstructing traffic.” The protesters were sentenced to 60 days in the workhouse. There, they suffered beatings, forced feeding, and unsanitary conditions. But the pickets - and the arrests - continued. In August, scuffles broke out right in front of the White House gates. For three days suffragists were dragged, punched and choked by angry crowds. City police stood by, refusing to intervene.

Hmmmm, remember this video?

Nine more have gone to jail according to OpEdNews:

Dr. Margaret Flowers, who has herself [sic] gone to jail for single-payer in our nation’s capital, was on hand to speak in Des Moines. She called me with this report. Nearly a month earlier, on June 19, 2009, Des Moines Catholic Workers had delivered a letter (PDF) to Wellmark addressed to its CEO John Forsyth requesting disclosure of Wellmark’s profits, salaries, benefits, denials and restrictions on care. The letter had not been acknowledged by Monday, and the Catholic Workers and their allies decided to take action again.

Thirty people arrived in the Wellmark lobby in Des Moines and asked to see Forsyth or any of the members of the board of directors or the operating officers. They were told that none were available, and instead the police arrived. Nine of the 30 refused to leave and were arrested. Flowers did not yet know what the charges will be but suspected trespassing. The nine latest supporters of single-payer to go to jail for justice are:

Mona Shaw, Renee Espeland, Frankie Hughes (age 11), and Frank Cordaro, all from Des Moines Catholic Workers; Leonard Simmons from Massachusetts; Robert Cook; Eddie Blomer from Des Moines; Kirk Brown from Des Moines; and Chris Gaunt from Grinnell, Iowa.

And so this is how things get done.  Citizen activism.  Let them know what we want and don’t take, “No”, or “It’s impossible”, or “Cant be done”, for an answer, because, as we’ve seen in the past-it is the only way to get things done.  Will we be the next to see the inside of a jail cell?  I hear there’s still room on the bus.

Anyone we know?

Yeah the 3 R’s - Republicans, RenSquare and Robutrad.

This pic is from Ginny Nyuyen’s website and was spotted and sent in from bigboy.  Ginny takes a lot of photos of GOP events.

Check out who is walking in Cheryl Dinoflo’s parades.  It isn’t “news’ nor it is the definitive picture but the indictment spoke of parades as well as some posts on RT so now you can put faces to names and dates.  Need the mugshots to help you identify folks?

Don’t forget to look at the the 2008 Webster fireman’s parade

The pic above is from the 2008 Rush Parade/.

See anyone familar?

Michael Slade, the Democratic candidate for Town Supervisor in Pittsford, has started posting on http://democratspittsford.org .

In an introductory series of posts, he outlines his campaign, the town and village temporary sign ordinances and points out what he believes are illegal temporary signs at 3750 Monroe Avenue that have been there for months, if not years.