Repower America is hosting a townhall with Al Gore on March 15th. Read about it and sign up before 9pm this evening if you would like to participate.

Last week was a difficult one for those of us engaged in the political arena.   To no one’s surprise life goes on.  The Massa story continues to play out.  But there were other stories.  The mayoral control debate is heating up and there is posturing,  poor decisions on projects like Medley Centre and the Rochester Soccer Stadium are coming back to bite tax payers.

Let’s start from the top.

Federal level

The dust is now covering the onlookers after last week’s implosion of Eric Massa:    Last week in the ICYMI,  I wrote  (prior to appearances on his last radio show, Beck, King) that Massa helped push the conversation in Washington.  Something, as a freshman Congressman, I suspect it is difficult to do.  I still believe that and appreciate that in a politician.

Over the weekend, Massa supporters planned and scheduled Monday as  Massa solidarity day suggesting that lawn signs be displayed.  An innocent event showing appreciation for someone who spoke his mind that was overshadowed by the Massa’s Sunday radio show.  A show I still haven’t found time to listen to but it wasn’t good.   The major theme was that the Democratic leadership got rid of the feisty Congressman.  Then Massa went on Glenn Beck and Larry King.  Stories about Rahm wagging his, um, finger, at Massa over a vote,  Massa bunking with staff members,  there was a claim about emails,  and stories from the Navy.   Ugh.  The stories never seemed to end.  The appearances - made travel through the stages of grief difficult.   In the end, as Ladkiddo wrote, time to remember what Massa brought to the district and to Congress.  A story that is overshadowed by Massa’s nationally televised implosion.

Meanwhile looks like Tom Reed is locking up the GOP line as one by one  Randy Kuhl,  Jill come lately County Executive Maggie Brooks drop out of consideration.

The Dem line?  Well, they still need a candidate.  Shawn Hogan is out, as is Mike Green, David Koon,

Meanwhile, national Democratic Committees are going into debt.

Looking West from Albany

Who exactly is Richard Ravitich?  A good read with links.

Local Scene

There were anti-Morelle robo calls - probably linked to his position in Mayoral Control.

Rochester City School graduation rates drop.  Or do they?  Again, it depends on what and how you measure.

ROBUTRAD - charges against Andy Moore were dismissed.

Looks like Scott Congel, Medley Centre developer  wannabe is going to get away with not paying his obligations.  No surprise here.

City News has a good article on the Rochester Soccer Stadium.  The City and Sports Authority say no, yet Albany lawmakers say yes, and guess what?  The stadium is in debt.

The Greece Police Chief is working to restore public trust - what exactly will it take?

Quick Clicks

Wingnuts continues - Terrorist lovers, Tom De Lay and some women singing in front of the White House (well a picture of the White House)

Save the Date: Howard Dean, March 25th - Geneva, NY

Terrorist trials - Military or Civilian courts? Civilian courts of course.  What, exactly, are we afraid of?

RIP Granny D - @ 89, this women walked across the country to raise awareness for campaign finance reform.  Upset about Massa or anyone else on the long list of  politicians who disappoint?  Well, look to Granny D as an example.  In the the end, you have the be the change you want to see in the world (H/T Ghandi).

From CityNews:

County Executive Maggie Brooks will not run for the 29th Congressional District seat.

Brooks announced her decision in a statement this morning.

From Swing State Project:

NY-29: Former Rep. Randy Kuhl has decided he won’t try to win his old seat back. Instead, he’s endorsing ex-Corning Mayor Tom Reed.

Until we find a progressive candidate to run in the 29th, I guess you can file this under, “So what?”

On March 25th at 7:30 PM Howard Dean will be speaking at The Smith Opera House in Geneva.  I can’t go, as I have a previous engagement.  I hope someone reading this blog goes as it looks like Dennis Kucinich and Howard Dean have become the two lonely voices championing progressive causes in this country.  (Not to mention that the Smith Opera House is a great venue.)  Here are the particulars:

Gov. Howard Dean joins the 2010 President’s Forum Series at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

On Thursday, March 25, former governor of Vermont and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee Howard Dean will join the spring 2010 President’s Forum Series at 7:30 p.m. at the Smith Opera House.

That’s it from ladkiddo for today.  In view of recent events, I am spent psychologically and emotionally.  In the words of Zack Mayo, “I got nothin’.”  So on advice from a wise master, I am disengaging and going out to smell the roses.  It’s a beautiful day.  I suggest you do the same.

TTFN

Welcome to the week I wish that wasn’t on Rochesterturning.  Massa, Paterson, Rangel …. the only good news from an individual politician was that Harold Ford has decided not to run. (although there is now an open House seat in the NY-29th).

Let’s start from the top.

Federal level

The implosion of Eric Massa:    In three days we went from not running for reelection to resignation.  At his Press Conference - he cited health concerns and ethics accusations.    Our own Bob Lonsberry piped  in claiming all sorts of sordid knowledge on Massa’s past.  Speculation that Assemblyman David Koon would possibly run in November for Massa’s seat (he later said no).  On the GOP side, suddenly Maggie Brooks is mentioned.  Even more suddenly it is over.  Massa announces his resignation and issues a statement leaving many uncomfortably numb.

Just a bit of editorial here on Massa - I’m not sure we will ever really know what happened for him to resign.  I’m guessing the ethics complaint closes with his resignation.  His statements on health could have been more definitive.  But we do know some things.  Congressman Massa was a powerful, accessible force for his constituents. In addition, you KNEW where he stood.  He also helped push the conversation as other politicians were asked to comment.  Why?  Recall the Town Hall meetings - Yes the Health Care ones, the Wind Power ones, the hydrofracking ones (including the contaminated waste water disposed near Keuka Lake).  Recall the speeches - I will use the force of my office …  that was about Time Warner and Internet Caps.   War Escalation?  Budget deficit? I’m sure there is more.  In the end, you know where he stood, he wasn’t afraid to tell you and more importantly, he wanted to know where you stood, all of which puts real meaning into the phrase used by his office -  “your Congressional Office.”

The Patriot act is extended - all our local Reps voted to extend it. (all of ‘em)

Last week Rep Rangel got admonished.  This week we wondered if and discovered that he will step down temporarily from Chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee.

The Harold Ford circus packed up and left town as he decided not to run for a Senate seat.

Oh, Same-sex marriage is legal in D.C. so, also good news

Looking West from Albany

Governor Paterson continues to be under fire.  Another top aide resigns related to the scandal.  Which scandal?  Well, the one where the Governor and top aides apparently called (after the Governor directed them to call) a witness who accused another top aide of assault.  And another top aide quits (not a repeat).  Of course this scandal isn’t to be confused with the World Series Tix scandal.

Gov Paterson did get some good news - and a poll says he shouldn’t resign but will it matter in a day, week or month or two?

Ed Koch is fed up with Albany but John Stewart loves New York.

Local Scene

Maggie Brook’s ex Deputy Director can’t suppress statements he made to authorities re the ROBUTRAD scandal.

Quick Clicks

Wingnuts continues - There was Glenn Beck.  Then there is also a fight over who speaks for God.  Wonder what God thinks about people fighting over who speaks for God.

No sooner do I write a post about normalizing violence and that it is bad for our society when someone drops some white powder at an IRS building in Utah.  Then there was the guy at the Pentagon with a bone to pick with the government.

Check out this map of what is America’s latest bumper crop - unemployment growth over time.  It is frightening.

Or this video - damning.

After this week you wonder if you should leave the Democratic party.  For me - no.

Finally, the Disney volunteer program gives new meaning to the phrase “It is better to give than to receive.”

That’s it (ladkiddo here-thank god it’s finally over!)- see you next week…

Civil Trials, Military Tribunals and Terrorism

Should suspected terrorists be tried in criminal or military courts?
Join the Genesee Valley Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties
Union and the Rochester Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist
Society for a panel discussion on this important topic.

5 p.m. Tuesday, March 16
Downtown Presbyterian Church,
121 N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester
New York Civil Liberties Union
Genesee Valley Chapter
(585) 454-4334
www.nyclu.org

Welcome to another week that was on Rochesterturning.  We opened with hydrofracking and genetically modified rice and closed with Governor Paterson withdrawing from the Governors race.  Which opens the door for Andrew Cuomo.  In between was COMIDA, GVRMA, and proposed County Legislature reductions.

Let’s get started.

Local Scene

Free Money - Carestream, a recent COMIDA benefit recipient, is moving some manufacturing jobs to China.  Subsidized Outsourcing?  Yeah - we mentioned that 18 months ago.  Then there is the Genesee Regional Market Authority.  We ask some questions but the devil is in the details and is pointed out in the comments.   Commenter Concerned Citizen reviews the GVRMA minutes and discovers all isn’t as it seems.  How exactly was that traffic light paid for?  Or Palmer’s Market expansion?  There was this nice take down of GVRMA Board Member Jack Driscoll’s op-ed.

Ah Mayoral Control - local College Presidents are in favor of it and they miss the point.

County Legislature - The Democrats float a proposal to cut the number of County legislators.  The local Republicans say no way.  What is interesting is that the Republicans have a chance to reduce government, cut government payroll, heck since they control the legislature - they could redistrict the Democrats out of office - but they say no, not a chance. Why?  Well, they would actually have to govern.

Bob Morone is going to jail for ROBUTRAD.

Looking West from Albany

What a difference a week makes.  Remember when Governor Paterson came to Rochester last week?  Susan John introduced him and was all fired up.  Ed Koch issued some mystifying statement of Gov Paterson support.  In the end - Gov Paterson pulled the plug on his campaign.  We posted a condense version of Governor Paterson’s Campaign kick-off speech.  Worth watching if only to see how forceful he was kicking off the campaign contrasting it to pulling the plug a week later.

Federal level

Rep Rangel gets admonished.

Simon asks Harold Ford what is he waiting for.  Come on Harold - we all want to go to the Circus.

High Speed Rail - Rep Louise Slaughter wrote a response to one of my posts on High Speed Rail - the one where I pointed out the weakness of New York’s application.  The good news is that there is a plan to go forward.

The House strips Insurance companies anti-trust provisions.   Damn does that sound great?  Especially with a vote of 409 to 16.  WOW.  It has everything - bipartisanship, level playing field.  Terrific.  Except with you get hit in the head with a political reality 2×4.    First off, the vote is a wonderful start.  There were actually three votes and two of the three votes were about shutting down the bill and that was hardly bipartisan.   Which is where our own Rep Chris Lee comes in  - can you read the 2010 D&C endorsement editorial now?  Hey, even Chris Lee voted for stripping the anti-trust provisions.  Of course they will conveniently forget that Chris Lee voted with his obstructionist party to prevent a vote on the final bill.  No matter - Now the bill goes to the Senate - It joins the 290 other House passed bills waiting sitting there waiting for passage. I think passage is wonderful but it becomes real when President Obama signs it.

Quick Clicks

Wingnuts continues - Stack was misunderstood and there was the usual nonsense.

ex-Rep Sweeney goes to jail for DUI

The Hummer drives off to oblivion.

Ladkiddo gets a survey because someone bought a bad mail list.

That’s it - see you next week…

The President has put forth a health care proposal today which incorporates Republican ideas and has no public option plan.

DFA has an online petition to sign.

This reeks of Rahm.

The Public Option Lives.  If we can get this through reconciliation, then maybe, just maybe this health care reform could really make a difference.  Gillibrand and Schumer are supporting this.  Here is my most recent email regarding Schumer’s stand:

Dear Friend,

As you know, I’ve been committed to a strong public option throughout the entire health care reform process.

First it was in the Senate bill, then it was out. But now, thanks to the tenacity of a group of four Democratic Senators — Michael Bennet (CO), Sherrod Brown (OH), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), and Jeff Merkley (OR) — there is a renewed push to create a public option as part of health care reform.

I just added my name to their effort to pass a public option through the reconciliation process, and I wanted you to be the first to know.

This is far from a done deal, but it’s an opportunity to break through the obstructionism Republicans have pushed for the past year.

Let’s keep fighting,

Chuck Schumer

They all work for us.  Keep those calls coming in.

(contacts for our senators and congresscritters can be found at their websites- links on right side of this page.)

In a media advisory sent out this afternoon from the AFL-CIO office, Wednesday’s planned picket at the MCDC dinner will now be replaced by a press conference at the same location.  Details Below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Do you want Coke, or Pepsi?

It looks like Rick Lazio is the Republican candidate for Governor (what happened to this guy?).  Maggie  doesn’t have much choice, now does she?

“I am pleased to endorse Rick Lazio for governor of New York state,” Brooks said in a statement. “This is a critical time when all eyes are looking at Albany to finally do what is in the best interest of the taxpayers and Rick Lazio is the right person at the right time to get the job done.”

I am sure we can count on Ms Brooks to endorse a candidate who is as effective as she, herself, is.

I am willing to bet that each of us has a friend or family member who has served recently in Iraq or Afghanistan. Several of my son’s friends and several of my friend’s sons have served or are currently deployed to the Middle East.  I believe we all owe a debt of gratitude for their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and our way of life.

The movie, “Taking Chance” is a true story. It chronicles the journey of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Storbl (played by KevinBacon) as he accompanies a fallen soldier, Lance Corporal Chance Phelps home to Dubois, Wyoming.

The HBO movie came out last year, but I had not heard of it.  My husband watched it last week and wept during the viewing.  That’s high praise from where I stand and I give you this trailer to preview (I’ll be renting it this week):

Thank you Chance.

Welcome to another week that was on Rochesterturning.  It was a busy week.  We find out that the RBTL theater at RenSquare was a costly boondoggle - the proposal at Midtown is much cheaper.  Carmen Gumina should stick to biology because history isn’t his thing.  Tom Golisano can’t stay away from New York State,  Hiram Monserrate should.   Finally, does Madam governor have a nice ring?

Let’s get started.

Local Scene

Monroe County has a budget gap.  Part of the GOP fiscal responsibility and Maggie Brooks blames someone else.

David Cay Johnston talks about sports team subsidies.  (Makes me think about the rent on Frontier field Monroe County isn’t collecting).  Then there is always COMIDA - sales tax exemptions on purchasing lawn mowers.

All this I’m sure touches ex-Democrat Carmen Gumina who is enthralled with the fiscal prowess of the GOP.  He is annoyed at Obama, the State Budget and Local budget.  Hmmmm. 8 years of Bush, 40 years of Republicans in the State Senate, 12 years as Governor, GOP control of the County Legislature.  Glad he is a biology teacher not a history teacher.

The theater proposed at Midtown is cheaper than the one proposed at RenSquare to the tune of $13 million dollars.  County Executive Maggie Brooks doesn’t get it and given the way the press is reporting the Midtown proposal, they don’t get it either.

Old soldiers never fade away they just get a jobs  at the Monroe County Water Authority - the latest is ex County Legislature president Wayne Zyra.

Tom Golisano supports Mayoral Control of the Rochester City School district.

Consolidation:  How can Rochester get by with one fire department and German Flatts, NY (pop ~13,000) needs three?

A view from the State

Who wants to a NYS Governor:  Seems rumors about Gov Paterson resigning  were rampant.  Why?  Was this what they were talking about?   Meanwhile how does the term Madam Governor sound?   AG Cuomo files charges against Bank of America.  At least someone is on top of whipping Wall Street.

New York State Senate:  Hiram Monserrate is expelled from the New York State Senate. Remember the failure of same-sex marriage in the Senate last year?  watch this funny video on how loving committed same-sex couples in New York can’t marry each other but can enter a loveless relationship.

Two New York State politicians are tied to a charity that apparently didn’t distribute money to Katrina victims.

New York State government failed miserably in the high speed rail application process which is why they were only awarded $151 million dollars.

Should we dissolve the Genesee Valley Regional Market authority?  Seems there are a lot of businesses that have nothing to do with agriculture.

Hydrofracking - New York State to accept waste water from PA?  If Chesapeake Energy has its way.

Federal level

Health Care:  Robert Reich on politicization of the Health Care reform process.  Meanwhile, Health Care companies are on track to merge in order to control costs.  How have all the previous mergers help control costs?

The Environment - There ought to be a law that helps keep mercury out of the environment.  Where is the snow at the Winter Olympics?

Is Chuck Schumer going to get primary challenger?  One that is from Illinois?

Quick Clicks

In Superbowl news -  ex-Bill now New Orleans Saint Anthony Hargrove skips out on local community service.  Here is what happens to the the Tee-shirts with the wrong “champ” printed on them.  Oh yeah the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts in what was a very good game.

Wednesday Wingnuts covered the “controveral” superbowl ad and former congressman Tom Tancredo advocacy of literacy tests for voters.

Sarah Palin clarifies her position on when to use the word “retard”.  Rahm Emmanuel can’t say it but Rush Limbaugh can.  Perhaps she if she wrote the position on her hand she wouldn’t have had to clarify.

Ben Nelson takes the DNC money and doesn’t support the Democratic party.

Credit card limits are cut.   The question is - are your 18-21 year olds (with no income, still in school, etc) still getting lots of offers?  Probably.

RIP Rep John Murtha.

That’s it - see you next week…