.comment-link {margin-left:.6em;}

Mole's Progressive Democrat

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Name:
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States

I am a research biologist in NYC. Married with two kids living in Brooklyn.

Google
  • Help end world hunger
  • Friday, November 07, 2008

    NEW YORK STATE FOCUS: Blogs, 2009 Candidates, Groups and Events

    Norman Siegel Confronts Tsar Bloomberg on Term Limits

    And now back to the term limits battle. Yes, that's right Tsar Bloomberg and your trained Surrender Monkeys (Christine Quinn, Dominc Recchia, David Yassky and the rest of the Bloomberg 29), we aren't forgetting your disrespect of the voters of NYC. Remember, the fight is NOT about term limits per se. It is whether it is right for Bloomberg and the City Council to completely disregard two votes of the people that overwhelmingly supported term limits. It is also not about the economy. Bloomberg led our city WHILE the economy collapsed, why does he think he can lead us out of it if he so far has shown no real leadership in the crisis. This is about protecting your vote against arbitrary actions by politicians.

    Norman 's statement at City Hall on Monday, November 3rd, prior to the Mayor's signing of the bill extending term limits.

    Mr. Mayor, where I grew up in Brooklyn we were taught that whenever we were critical of someone we were to tell them why we disagreed with them face to face. So, this morning I will respectfully do exactly that.

    I love New York City. I also love the principles and values associated with a democratic society. By extending term limits by legislative fiat on October 23, 2008, you and the City Council Speaker along with 28 other members of the City Council trampled on those precious principles. I and other New Yorkers will not be silent in opposition to your undoing the People’s will.

    It did not have to be this way. You could have and should have raised the issue of extending term limits through a public referendum. But you chose not to do that. I believe you made a huge mistake in judgment. You exhibited a disrespect for the will of the people of this great city.

    You still have an opportunity to reevaluate your approach by not signing the legislation before you and supporting a public referendum on this issue.

    The question of whether the New York City Council can override two public referenda on term limits is an open legal one under the First and Fourteenth amendments of the United States Constitution, the New York City Charter and New York’s Municipal Home Rule Law. The Council’s vote on October 23 will not go unchallenged.

    Mr. Mayor, I know you care about your legacy. Your recent actions and what I fear you are about to do today by extending term limits by legislative enactment will tarnish that legacy. History does not treat people who go back on their word kindly. Again, it does not have to be this way. There is an alternative. It’s a public referendum. It’s the People’s will. It’s called democracy.


    And Youtube footage of the NYC Coalition To Preserve Term Limits Press Conference:




    Here are a couple of interesting events coming up in NYC:

    November 12th--'GREEN-COLLAR' JOBS:
    A Solution to NYC's Environmental and Workforce Ills?


    Join SSBx's Executive Director Miquela Craytor on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, from 10 am to 12 pm for a seminar on green collar jobs in New York City.

    Across the U.S., labor and political leaders advocate investment in a green economic recovery to boost employment and address climate change. Last year, Congress passed the Green Jobs Act which, if fully funded, would allocate $125 million to train workers in green trades. The Presidential candidates have sought even greater investments in green infrastructure.

    What exactly are 'green-collar' jobs--and how can New York City create them?

    Location: Theresa Lang Community & Student Center, Arnhold Hall
    55 West 13th Street bet, 5th & 6 Aves, 2nd fl., Manhattan

    SPEAKERS:
    Echo Cartwright, Assistant Secretary for Energy and Environment, State of New York;
    Miquela Craytor, Executive Director, Sustainable South Bronx;
    Ramón Cruz, Vice President for Energy and Environment, Partnership for NYC;
    Ed Ott, Executive Director, New York City Central Labor Council

    MODERATOR:
    Errol Louis, columnist and editorial board member, New York Daily News

    Admission is free, but you must RSVP.

    Call 212.229.5418 or email centernyc_at_newschool.edu.

    November 15th--L.I.V.E. World Summit 2008

    The L.I.V.E. World Summit 2008 will take place at the Millennium Broadway in New York City on Saturday, November 15, 2008, from 8:00am-6:00pm. The L.I.V.E. World Summit offers industry leaders, innovators, social entrepreneurs, and student leaders with an opportunity to focus on solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing America and the world today: climate change and the environment, poverty and sustainable development, economic growth and stability, global health, energy and power, food and water crises, empowering women, and education.

    Join SSBx's Executive Director, Miquela Craytor for her panel on Green Development: Best Practices in Sustainability Around the World

    Other speakers include:
    Alexandra Cousteau, Founder, Blue Legacy; Co-Founder, EarthEcho, National Geographic Emerging Explorer

    Bruce Wrobel, Chairman & CEO, Sithe Global; CEO, Seacom and Global Alumina, Founder & Chairman, All for Africa

    Connie Duckworth, Founder & President, Arzu, Inc.; Former Partner, Goldman Sachs.

    Dina Powell, Managing Director & Global Head of Corporate Engagement Goldman Sachs

    Kathleen Rogers, President, Earth Day Network.


    Here are some articles worth reading:

    Massa, McMahon, Maffei prevail: NY State has three new Democratic Congressmen, and NYC has no remaining Republican Congressional Reps.

    Democrats Win NY State Senate: Welcome Seantors Joseph Addabbo and Brian Foley

    The Bloomberg Putsch has been rubber stamped by the NY City Council, leading to considerable outrage, particularly against Councilman Yasssky whose convoluted flip flopping disgusted many even in clubs like Independent Neighborhood Democrats which used to be one of his bastions of support. But what is even more disgusting were the thuggish tactics used by wannabe Tsar Bloomberg and his Director of the Gendarmes Christine Quinn. This complete surrender by most of the Democrats on the City Council led Kieth Olbremann to award them the Bronze Medal for Worst Person of the Day award.

    New Yorkers not happy with Bloomberg's power grab. Funny how people object to having politicians ignore their votes.

    Bloomberg May be Breaking the Law: Seems a non-profit organization, The Doe Fund, has been paying people to show support for the Bloomberg Putch...which would be illegal

    It’s All About Recchia! The Voters Have No Choice: Slamming one of the Noach Dear Democrats as un-democratic AND un-Democratic

    Childcare in Brooklyn: Losing a Valuable Asset

    Marty Markowitz, the angry clown who would be mayor, has a record of being anti-union. If Marty, who has probably lost the gay and lesbian vote because of his support of Noach Dear for judge, loses the union vote, he has no shot at all at a future political career.


    NEW YORK BLOGGING:
    The Albany Project gives excellent coverage of New York State politics.

    The Daily Gotham covers both New York City (with a slight emphasis on Brooklyn) and New York State politics.

    Reform NY is the blog of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law

    On NY Turf is run by someone I know. Long overdue that I add his blog here. Contains political info, good map resources for NYC and discussions of development issues.


    Let me highlight some excellent candidates running in New York in 2009:

    Norm Siegel for Public Advocate
    For those of you who live in NYC, let me introduce you to Norman Siegel, one of America's top Civil Rights Lawyers, is running for New York Public Advocate. Here's a Youtube video of him:




    Josh Skaller for City Council. A progressive who is coming in second in fundraising, Josh is considered a serious contender by several pragmatic allies I have talked to and has been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams. Josh may well become the frontrunner if he keeps it up. Josh is a good friend of ours, a solid progressive, and about as honest as you can get. Josh will be one of my top priorities in 2009!


    Here are a handful of Democratic Clubs worth checking out:

    The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats is a community-based Democratic club. CBID has fought for reform and progressive causes since 1968. As a Brooklyn-based Club, we have been instrumental in the election of many candidates for public office. Much of this success was a result of our question-and-answer forums with prospective candidates as well as our extensive on-the-street contact with our constituents.

    Staunchly opposed to political corruption, we are proud of our independence and our commitment to progressive reform in city, state and national politics. We are a vehicle for citizen empowerment and making government more accountable to our neighborhoods.

    We meet monthly, usually the fourth Thursday evening of the month in the basement of the Park Slope United Methodist Church, on the corner of 6th ave and 8th street, at 7:30pm. All are welcome.

    New Kings Democrats (”NKD”) is a new, grassroots organization in Kings County (Brooklyn), New York whose primary mission is to recruit and prepare individuals to run for Kings County Democratic Committee. NKD hopes to achieve the goal of an inclusionary and participatory democracy by making it easy for individuals to run for local, elected office. NKD will serve as a training ground for individuals seeking higher office, and hopes to build and nurture a new group of Brooklyn Democratic leaders.


    DEMOCRACY FOR NYC MEETINGS:
    First Wednesday of every month

    Staten Island, Muddy Cup, 388 Van Duzer Street with hosts Al Dykes and Tracey Denton at 7pm

    Upper West Side, The Parlour, 250 West 86th(btwn Broadway & West End), with host Merle McEldowney,7pm

    West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7thAve.) with host Abhishek Mistry, 7pm

    Astoria, Queens, at Sanford Diner, 30-13 Broadway, with hosts Costa Constantinides and Jeremiah Frei-Pearson. Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.

    Sunnyside, Queens, at The Grind, 39-24 Queens Blvd. in the back room, with host Dan Jacoby. Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.

    Bayside, Queens, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics, 7pm

    Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Wycoff Bennett Homestead, 1669East 22nd Street, 7pm with host Annette Mont


    DRINKING LIBERALLY MEETINGS IN NY STATE:

    Clifton Park, New York
    * First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
    * Old Dublin Inn, 130 Meyer Rd (Google maps is wrong, please contact me for directions.)
    * Hosted by Chris Selkirk, cliftonpark (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Ithaca, New York
    * Every Wednesday, 6:30 pm onward
    * Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 508 W State St
    * Hosted by Joseph Cannon Murtagh, ithaca (at) drinkingliberally.org


    New York City, New York:

    The Original Drinking Liberally
    * Every Thursday, 7:30 pm onward
    * Rudy's, 627 9th Ave (between 44th and 45th)
    * In the backyard, weather permitting
    * Hosted by Justin Krebs, Matthew O'Neill and Katrina Baker, nyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Drinking Liberally Steps Out
    * Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00-9:00 pm
    * XES Lounge, 157 W 24th St (@ 7th Avenue)
    * In conjunction with the Stonewall Democrats of New York City www.sdnyc.org.
    * Hosted by Matthew Carlin and Greg Rae, outnyc (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Harlem
    * Second Wednesday of each month), 6:30 pm onward
    * Soundz Lounge, 3155 Broadway (between 123rd and 124th)
    * Hosted by Yolanda (Shoshi) Shoshana, harlem (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Park Slope
    * Second Wednesday of each month, 7:30-10:00 pm
    * Commonwealth, 497 5th Ave (at 12th Street)
    * Hosted by Anthony Accurso, Emilie Harkin and Emily Farris, parkslope (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Queens
    * Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
    * Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102 (group of young liberals taking up one lane)
    * Hosted by Donald Graff, queens (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Upper East Side
    * Last Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
    * Doc Watson's, 1490 2nd Ave (at 77th)
    * Hosted by Matthew Bachiochi, ues (at) drinkingliberally.org

    West Bronx
    * First and third Friday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
    * An Beal Bocht, 445 W 238th St (between Waldo and Greystone)
    * 1 to 238th, turn left, straight on 238th, just past the top of the stairs
    * Hosted by Jamin Sewell and Scott Kennedy, westbronx (at) drinkingliberally.org

    Rochester, New York
    * Every Thursday, 8:00-10:00 pm
    * Monty's Korner, 355 East Ave
    * Hosted by Tom Tucker and Tracy Logan, rochester (at) drinkingliberally.org

    And then we have: Shooting Liberally
    Tuesday, Feb 19
    From your friends at Drinking Liberally comes the debut of SHOOTING LIBERALLY...

    For the First Amendment enthusiast ready to move on to the Second. A social evening at the gun range including training & weapon rental.

    For more info and to reserve your spot, contact: Stanley Sherman - maskarts (at) worldnet.att.net

    0 Comments:

    Post a Comment

    << Home