Here is the point: Believe what you want to believe - but

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger

when you are discussing politics, policies and such, and you suddenly drop in some conspiracy theorist stories, the rest of your story and argument becomes tainted. So stop it…

So, here is the deal,

Since becoming a blogger I’ve met lots of wonderful, politically passionate people, but this isn’t about the people, it is about getting your point across. So - When I’m talking about admirable long term objectives like world peace - I don’ t need to hear that, “9-11 was an inside job”. When I’m talking to war protester friends - I don’t need to hear how Bush is buying up land in Bolivia to avoid the upcoming war crime trials.

Or my new personal favorite - When I’m listening to someone discuss the important water issues affecting the Great Lakes basin - I’m told of a secret plan to build a pipeline (along with that NAFTA superhighway) to drain the Great Lakes.

Now, I’m not taking about the too lazy to look up smears. No, I’m just talking about people who engage others in civil persuasive discourse then, in the middle of the conversation, drop an irrelevant point into the discussion which pushes people away and dilutes your point.

Take the person taking about the NAFTA superhighway and draining the Great Lakes. Just because only Lou Dobbs and Ron Paul are talking about the NAFTA superhighway doesn’t make it true.

Some guy discusses absolutely pressing issues affecting the Great Lakes. He is discussing legislation affecting the Great Lakes, the pluses and minuses. Mentioning that every 28 days a new invasive species enters the Great Lakes basin. For topic novices like me the conversation was quite informative. But somewhere in the discussion at the conclusion of the conversation he dropped in this bit of information (paraphrased) - “There is a highway being built, linking Mexico and Canada, along with a pipeline to drain the Great Lakes and no one is talking about it”.

Faster than Robbie the Robot can say “Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!” My virtual arms were flailing and I was mentally screaming,”Danger!”.

Look - I’m not going to spend my time debunking all these conspiracy theories. Why? Well, it detracts from trying to take our country back and locally that means focusing on Maggie Brooks and Monroe County, the dysfunctional NY State government and figuring out a way to get a Congressman to actually represent my values and beliefs.

So, anything else detracts from, what I believe, like minded folks should be focusing on. How to make a difference in their local community. Focus, people.

but, back to the NAFTA super highway for a minute.

Look - Like most things, there are a series of anecdotes that when linked together - ultimately spawns these wild ideas.

The thing is, this pipeline rumor is false. Have a look at this Newsweek article - oh wait - that’s corporate Media. How about This article from The Nation? This seems to be an outcome of someone trying to prove that the plural of anecdote is data. Stuff like this detracts from the real message.

So believe what you want to believe - when you are discussing politics, policies and such and you suddenly drop in one of these conspiracy theorist stories - Remember the rest of your story argument becomes tainted.

To help - we will be selling our own line of Tin Foil hats. Guaranteed that the Government will not be able to tell what you are thinking.

I was at a union  hall the other day and was reminded of this story as relayed to me. Why do unions have a bad name? This post is based on first-hand knowledge conveyed by a reader (who shall remain nameless).

A machine needs to be moved, the workforce is unionized and if you do it yourself before a specified time, you chance getting a grievance.

So the moving group gets called and the guy says he can move the machine today. The union guy is told to come in an hour because the machine needs to be packed up but this is good news. 20 mins after the call is made, the union guy shows up a bit annoyed that the machine isn’t ready. It is explained and the guy is asked to come back in 40 mins. He apparently looks a little annoyed, but he comes back 40 mins later and moves the machine.

Then the guys workspace needed some repairs, so he calls the unionized electrician who fixes what he needs to do. The electrician does a couple of extra things and then leaves.

But this is the kicker -

in a management meeting - after a coworker announces she took a chance and got a grievance the others in the room start piping in about “they just want their money”, “freakin’ Union”, blah blah blah…. The guy chimes in and says - here is my positive experience and gets a bunch of looks like you aren’t with the program.

Anyone want to chime in. Is this typical at large organizations? I get a lot of “us versus them mentality” from my coworkers and I don’t get it.

I’m sorry I just think that headline is funny.   It was from the D&C on-line edition. the Print Edition says “Minarik sounds drumbeat over races”

Apparently there was local GOP convention where the party faithful heard about the important local races.

County Chairman Stephen Minarik warned that Democrats are spending resources and organizing in an attempt to oust state Sen. Joseph Robach, R-Greece.

“The Democrats are harnessing all of their power, all of their money,” Minarik said.

Robach responded

“The idea of them controlling every house, every policy, would be horrible,” Robach said.

Yeah Joe - we’re coming for you.  The big bad Democratic storm clouds are forming and  going to rain on your parade.  boo freaking hoo.

No,  Joe - it is like this - Your record will be allowed to speak for itself.  In fact your conservative voting record and you being a critical enabler of a dysfunctional state government are the stuff that storm clounds are made of.

I wish the article spoke more of the all the GOP red meat that was spewed to the GOP minions.   Business  knows better than  government,  governments job is to help our business’ survive the perils of the free market.  blah blah blah.

The article touched a little bit with quotes by The guys running for Congress provided some quotes by the GOP Congressional candidates.

“I have no problem telling people no new taxes and no new regulation,” said Lee, who lives in Clarence, Erie County, and is running in the 26th District being vacated by Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-Clarence.

“I am fiercely pro-business,” Sweetland [running for Walsh’s set] told the committee members gathered at the Clarion Riverside Hotel. “I also believe in individual rights.”

But local red meat quotes were strangely absent.

Don’t worry, nothing will come of this cheap political stunt. It will die in the Assembly - rightfully so.

The D&C has an AP article about it (sorry our link widget thingy doesn’t appear to be working correctly)

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/NEWS01/805080380

But here are the salient points which prove once again like oil and water - Republicans and Economic knowledge simply don’t mix. As we have been saying in previous posts about the Gax Tax - prices won’t be passed on to consumers. Here is an example

Indiana and Illinois suspended 5 percent sales taxes on gas in 2000, but a report from the National Bureau of Economic Research found only a 3 percent reduction in prices.

But this paragraph struck out

Still, any increase in demand for gasoline that resulted from lower prices would tend to drive prices back up.

Yep - ever notice how an announced rise in oil IMMEDIATELY raises prices at the pump? Of course, the gasoline in the ground at the gas statation was purchased at a lower price but prices rise.

The Gax Tax is DOA - but the State Senate knew this. This is simply prepping the electorial battlefield as the State Republicans struggle to maintain their narrow majority in the Senate. Can’t you see those mailers now? I mean remember the ones about the Drivers License? Sorry this isn’t about Democrats - this is about Republicans who are using a cheap political stunt in an attempt to win an election. Oh, Dem Senate Candidates - make sure you have a budget for the necessary counter mailers

(ed note when we get the link thingy back on line I’ll add some additional links)

Hey everyone -

You may have noticed that new comments are not appearing in the new recent comment  column.   We have also experienced some issues posting new material -

So we are on the case.  We just ask for your patience -

Like all good progressives - we are looking at solving the problem as opposed to deferring it until later.

Comment away and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is worth watching

3 DPW workers were suspended for allegedly diverting tax-payer raw materials to a private establishment.

Three town public works employees have been suspended, and an investigation into possible misconduct is taking place, but few other details were available early this week.

The affair seems to involve the alleged diverting of taxpayer-paid raw materials to a private location.

Apparently it has been going on for a while

“While I cannot delve into details, as this is an ongoing investigation, I can tell you that it appears that, for over a decade, a few DPW employees have provided raw materials to a private establishment, free of charge,” Heyman said in Friday’s prepared statement. “Not only is this an abuse of their position as public employees, it is a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.”

Heyman declined to comment on where the inappropriate activities were taking place and said that to her knowledge, no town equipment was used.

Anyone know what is alleged?

I’d like to know what these folks were supposedly stealing. Where it was going. Sounds like a can 0f worms waiting to be opened. Nice to see Democratic Town Supervisor Mary Ellen Heyman playing an active role here protecting tax payer assets.

Update

New10NBC has more

Apparently it was the Irondequoit Bay Fish and Game Club

At the Irondequoit Bay Fish and Game Club, the entrance to the private club is freshly mulched. In the parking lot, there appears to be a fresh layer of gravel. The sprucing up of the club was apparently done at the expense of Irondequoit taxpayers.

City News has the details (not the D&C as of 2:36)

Monroe County officials have lost their appeal of an appellate court’s decision recognizing the out-of-state marriage of a lesbian couple. The ruling by New York’s highest court upheld the lower court’s unanimous decision, and represents a significant victory for gay and lesbian couples throughout the state.

Glad to see the rule of law still works in Monroe County now that Maggie is 0 for 2 (the supposed FAIR plan being the other loss). I wonder what else Maggie will complain about now.

More later

Listen to Maggie’s First Town hall meeting. Some guy named Michael ID’s a Welfare queen. Like Reagan’s queen, this one probably doesn’t exist either. The story is updated - she buys steak and lobster and drives a Lexus. Oh - she shops at Wegmans too. Probably wearing a gangsta rap tee shirt too.

These Town Hall meetings These Town Hall meetings are more of the same just like the ones rolled out for the unFAIR plan.

I’ve listened to a few callers - This is more Maggie’s talking points -

Blame everyone but her and her administration. Listen to the bits about blaming the schools.

I’ll have more later but the phrase, “partisan hack” comes to mind.

WOW. Ladkiddo’s hit is on the head earlier about the kid gloves with which the media treats John McCain.

I wonder if we will hear this anywhere. From the Chicago Tribune via Rawstory

Last November, McCain went on his radio show. Liddy greeted him as “an old friend,” and McCain sounded like one. “I’m proud of you, I’m proud of your family,” he gushed. “It’s always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great.”

Yeah, I know, Chicago Tribune, Chicago is in Illinois, Obama is from Illinois. Bunk I Say.

Subverting the constitution, calling for head shots of Federal Agents as they approach is not something to be taken lightly. Remorse? Nope.

Liddy was in the thick of the biggest political scandal in American history—and one of the greatest threats to the rule of law. He has said he has no regrets about what he did, insisting that he went to jail as “a prisoner of war.”

Read the whole thing, then ask yourself just how hypocritical is John McCain?

Where does all that earmark money go?

You can check out the 9 Meg New York State Senate file here.

The Assembly is here. 

Let’s play a game.  Find your favorite earmark.  Write about it in the comments

I haven’t looked in great detail at both files and I will when I have time but.. Look at what our state elected officials

From the Senate PDF do a search on Churches.  Notice the Church in Church of God Central Newburgh

for costs associated with furnishing their new building which will house
four meeting rooms and a conference room which will be open for public
use

I wonder who maintains that schedule?  Who have priority.  Like they say possession is 9/10 of the law.  Something just strike me odd about this one done by Senator Larkin.

But have fun.  Highlight your favorite earmark in the comments.

Welcome to the Classic Greek Elements edition otherwise known as Earth, Water, Fire, and Air

Earth

The Water Authority got into a little hot water when it was discovered that it was trucking fill dirt 12 miles to a private residence at the rate payers expense. Turns out the private residence was owned by a Water Authority engineer. This, of course, is against County policy using surplus property for employee use. County Legislator Heider asks the right questions. As the Water Authority wipes the dirt off its face and tries its best to tap dance on water, we ask questions as well. Now that the private program is more public, the Water Authority might not walk 500 miles for you but they would drive 12 miles?

RenSquare asks for a lifeline so it can start digging - sorry all out of lifelines.

Governor Paterson gets down to earth and actually listens to the public. Lots of people support publicly financed elections commonly referred to as Clean Money Clean Elections. Well - check out this conversation with the governor. Because the alternative is stuff like this.
Water

Meanwhile the babbling Brooks continues her assault on reason. Fresh off of a State of the County Speech, she tries to turn the tables and find an exit strategy from owning and fixing the County’s budget problems. She has been in office 5 years. Has she learned anything? No, Instead she publishes a website that is basicallly a push poll of services she says we can’t afford. It is embarrassing.

Meanwhile Rep. Fossella (NY-13) gets busted because he drank too much of something other than water.

Fire

Well, there is the whole war thing. Happy Mission Accomplished Day. Eric Massa Responds, as does Jon Powers. Looks like the public responded as well as President Bush’s popularity plunges faster than the the U.S. dollar. Of course, from the mouths of babes.

Finally, Republican Congressional Candidate and Iraq war veteran Bellavia gets told he isn’t good enough to represent the GOP for Reynolds old seat.

Air

Speaking of vapor - exile and ladkiddo reduce McCain’s larger than life itself myths to nothing more than what they are - hot air.

The MCC President selection process comes close to closure. Bill Smith - Mr. Hot Air himself - interviews as does Spraggs and Kessler. But Bill Smith is not recommended to the MCC Board of Trustees. Final selection is May 17.

Speaking of hot air. Gas Tax Holidays are all the rage. It doesn’t matter that oil could go to $200 a barrel. Joe Robach, Hillary Clinton and John McSame have an election to try and win in November and they believe they can pander as opposed to ACTUALLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM. Even Randy Kuhl gets into the act playing the blame game. The D&C plays its support role and we respond to its strongly worded editorial. Stop it people.

But let’s close with a a breath of fresh air and Ladkiddo’s wedding expo post.

Well, if you are the Monroe County Water Authority, you would go 12 miles. What does 12 miles look like from Water Authority Headquarters at 475 Norris Drive.

12 miles form Water Authority Headquaters

As we said before, the justification by the Monroe County Water Authority really doesn’t hold water. Dirt was trucked 12 miles to a Water Authority Engineer’s private residence. How far is 12 miles from 475 Norris Drive - Water Authority Headquarters complete with big pile of dirt in back of the property?

Looks like 12 miles covers most of Monroe County.

I mean, if it was good enough for a county employee to violate county policy using surplus county property - imagine all the places for dirt 12 miles from Norris Drive.

We wrote about a News10 NBC story where a Engineer at the Water Authority received truck loads of free fill dirt. The county Water Authority delivered the fill and spread it around. The program of giving away dirt was not previously advertised. Upon the breaking of the story, Water Authority management went into full damage control. Brighton Legislator Travis Heider requested additional information from the Water Authority. Now, Jill Tierreri has an article in the D&C this morning about this. Here are some article grafs in context. Frankly, I’m not convinced the Water Authority responses hold water let alone wash this stain off of a tarnished managerial reputation.

The Water Authority supported by Deputy County Executive James Smith argues that it is saving the rate payer money and it saved the rate payers money because they dumped this dirt at their employee’s private residence. Trouble is they play loose with numbers and loose with reality. They say

If the authority dumped all of the dirt it removes from the ground into a landfill over a year, it would fill 2,200 dump trucks and cost about $990,000, he said, adding that the dirt shouldn’t be placed in a landfill, where space is scarce, if possible.

Can they provide the details of how much actually goes into a landfill? What we have here is a false linkage to supposed cost avoidance because it doesn’t go to a landfill. I mean if the process is to landfill “the spoils” then I’m sure there would be a budget item for landfilling the spoils. Is there? Doubt it. Here is what happens:

The authority calls the public works department of the municipality in which it is working to see if there is any place where the town or village needs the dirt. If there isn’t a place to dump it, it gets trucked back to Authority’s headquarters on Norris Drive.

So, no landfill option, no landfill argument. Now that the distraction is out of the way.

The county has a policy that prohibits employees from taking home surplus equipment, whether it’s a typewriter or dirt.

Got that? There is a County policy. So this is about following the rules - Nothing else. Monroe County Authority Employees are County Employees. So, who was the employee and what is Monroe County Water Authority Management doing about it? I’m guessing this isn’t some rogue employee - management knew as well.

Again, for the record, the reason this is wrong is because it seems the County Employees received an unfair advantage over the public. Free fill dirt, special considerations, free equipment usage - all paid by rate payers for a program that the public was unaware existed.

Bigboy noted the State DOT dumped several loads of dirt at their private residence. I have no problem with that. That was a 1/4 mile trip from the work site to a private residence. The Water Authority was moving several truck loads of dirt 12 or 13 miles. That is a special arrangement - an unfair special arrangement.

But the good news for the public is that the Water Authority changed its web site and published a phone number for people to get free dirt. Of course they should have done this before Friday May 2, 2008 or, put another way, before their hand got pinched by the lid of the cookie jar.

Oh, one more thing, Marianetti is the former public works commissioner in Greece. Small world.

The recent D&C Editorial Board op-ed strongly supporting a gas tax holiday cut sadly misses the point that cutting the gas tax is a cheap political stunt.

here is an open question to James Lawrence and crew- do any on you actually think that the temporary suspension of a gas tax will actually result in lower prices that will be passed on to consumers? That oil companies (distributers, those in the supply chain)  will gladly pass on the savings out of the goodness of their hearts?

Seriously, the market supports what we are paying now so suppliers will find some excuse to absorb the tax cut into the price. Once again, what is the purpose of the corporation? Maximization of shareholder value.

So the faux arguments of “it will be passed on the the customer” are nonsense. Maybe a couple of fill ups will be lower but eventually the price will rise to fill the void.

Exile posted some arguments from others including Paul Krugman. - go back and reread them. Remember the plunging dollar is a causal of the rise in oil prices as well.

But back to the editorial - Did the D&C editorial board just come back from a trip to Fantasy Island?

President Bush must use his leverage as a military supplier and global economic engine to push these countries to increase production.

Hope is eternal I suppose unfortunately memories are short at the D&C. This assumes President - lowest approval rating ever - Bush - actually has leverage. Didn’t we go through something like this a few years ago and Bush said he was going to talk to the oil producers - How did that work out?

But how much do we want oil? Enough to toss toss gas on a fire? Hey I’ll trade you some advanced military weapons for oil. Advanced military weaponry is one of the few things America still makes and controls the price in dollars. Then there is the whole economic engine thing. As we transition to a service economy - where are purchases being made? China. Capital is flowing away from the U.S and into China. The dollar is cheap.

But back to leverage. Who has it and who doesn’t.

Saudi Arabia can say we will start trading oil in Euros instead of dollars - then what our economy really crash.  China can say - hey you own us a lot of money and call in the debt. Please - the US has no leverage here.

Then there was this bit of brilliance as “the world” get dragged into the editorial.

This is a global conundrum. Gas prices in Germany are at $8 a gallon.

Yeah - Low dollar (1 euro = 1.6 dollars) but those freaking Europeans and their mass transit systems. Gasoline is not the driver of their economies as it is here.

Seems the D&C is looking for “feel good” over “function”. Gas tax cuts postpones the inevitable. dealing with a car centric culture.

We need to deal with Urban Sprawl, lack of mass transit, addiction to oil sooner rather than later.