NEW YORK STATE FOCUS: Blogs, 2009 Candidates, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events
New York's Congressional Reps and Healthcare:
Some of our state's Reps need to hear from us to get healthcare reform passed. Here are some articles/open letters to NY State Congressional Reps. If these are your Reps, please contact them!
5 NY Democrats are blocking healthcare: fight back!
An Open Letter To Rep Scott Murphy On Health Care Reform
Nydia Velazquez: Please Support a Strong Public Option
If you want healthcare reform, contact these Congressional reps now!
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
No Land Grab: News from the point of view of Brooklyn opposition to overdevelopment
True News from ChangeNYC.Org: ChangeNYC.Org is an organization unifying our City’s Democratic Party by welcoming all New Yorkers back into the political process. We are a coalition of real, everyday New Yorkers – young voters, progressives, neighborhood leaders, community bloggers, good government groups, and even conservatives – who believe that in cooperation we can bring the change to our City that together we have begun to bring to our nation.
Let me highlight some excellent candidates running in New York in 2009: (also see my borough specific sections where I also discuss candidates)
Norm Siegel for Public Advocate
Norman Siegel would be, without any doubt, the best Public Advocate possible for NYC. He has 40 years experience as a civil rights lawyer and already takes on the causes of 9/11 widows, firefighters, bloggers, and just about anyone who needs help defending their rights and liberties. He has so far been endorsed by Democracy for NYC, Room 8 Blogger Rock Hackshaw, State Senator Eric Adams, New York Metro Area Postal Union, Three Parks Independent Democrats, Broadway Democrats, Village Independent Democrats, Village Reform Democratic Club, Park River Independent Democrats, New York Community Council, the Audubon Reform Democratic Club, Brooklyn Democrats for Change, and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats.
The only poll so far done on this race shows Norm Siegel in second place, just ahead of the much better funded, establishment and pro-developer candidate Bill DeBlasio. This is an excellent showing for Norm, and if he can hold that position he can make it to a runoff.
Go here to read Norman Siegel's statement on declaring the Gowanus canal a superfund site to clean it up.
Here's a link to Norm Siegel on NY1.
And here is Youtube footage of Norm Siegel and the NYC Coalition To Preserve Term Limits Press Conference:
John Liu For Comptroller
The race for comptroller includes four candidates. Only two of those candidates have financial experience: David Weprin and John Liu. Of the two, I find Liu the more progressive and more appealing, though both are qualified. I also like Liu because he is a science nerd turned politician (he got his degree in mathematical physics). That endears him to Joy and myself.
I was among the first (John says I WAS the first) to endorse Liu. In a recent poll, John Liu is the clear leader...though there are still more than 50% undecided. This means this is a race we can most affect because so few people have paid attention to it.
I should note that my son has taken a particular liking to John Liu, and he has had a pretty good sense of who's a good person. John Liu has also been endorsed by 504 Democratic Club (disabled rights), American Heritage Democratic Club (Bay Ridge, Brooklyn), Barack Obama Democratic Club of Upper Manhattan, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (the club Joy is an officer of), Democratic Organization of Richmond County, East Harlem United Democrats, El Nuevo Caribe Democratic Club of El Barrio/East Harlem, Gramercy Stuyvesant Independent Democrats, Councilwoman Letitia James, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Lambda Independent Democratic Club, Lambda Independent Democrats, Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens, Martin Luther King Democrats, Rosa Parks Democrats, Staten Island Democratic Association, Stonewall Democrats of New York City...whew, and MANY more. But I was first!
You can read more abuot John here.
More Races: Here is my updated list of races I am targeting. There are lots of important races I highlight all over the city. If we want change locally, this list is a good start.
Alternative Energy in NY State:
Here are some stats from Repower America:
What you can do for Clean Energy:
For pennies per month more than you currently pay for energy you can buy 100% green energy from Con-Ed. Joy and I have been doing it for years, seriously reducing our carbon footprint and giving NY State cleaner air. Here's how it works:
To sign up GO HERE. Or call: 1-888-320-8991. You won't regret switching.
Here are a handful of Organizations worth checking out:
The Environmental Business Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the growth of the environmental industry in New York State. Specifically, we help to promote and serve serving the industry sectors of Climate Change, Greening Communities, Energy and WALCE (Water-Agriculture-Land Use-Conservation-Environmental). News here. Events list here (not recently updated).
NY Citizens for Clean Elections: We are committed to passage of Clean Money Clean Election legislation in NYS that provides a non-partisan approach for full public funding of campaigns for all qualified candidates who refuse private money and abide by spending limits. We want to ensure that all Americans, regardless of wealth, have an equal voice in the political system and that qualified candidates are not discouraged from running because they do not have access to the money needed for a competitive campaign.
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.
Stonewall Democrats of Western New York is the GLBT Democratic voice in WNY. Our mission is to advocate for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community within the Democratic Party and to encourage GLBT participation within the Democratic Party. Our membership includes representatives from State, County, and City government, and several Democratic committee members amongst the various County Committees in WNY.
DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA MEETINGS IN NY STATE:
Democracy For The Southern Adirondack/Tricounty Area. You can also check out their website here.
Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area
dfaROCHESTER. And you can check out their website here.
Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region. And you can join their Yahoo group here.
Capital District of NY/GenDFA
Democracy for the Hudson Valley
Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance
Democracy For Westchester
Democracy for Long Island. You can also join their Yahoo group here.
North Country Democracy for America
Central New York DFA
Eastern Long Island Democracy for America
Democracy For Saratoga Springs
Kingston Democracy for America
Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties
Philipstown for Democracy
DFA: Greene County
Livingston County for Democracy
DEMOCRACY FOR NYC MEETINGS:
First Wednesday of every month.
Upper West Side - 7:00 pm, The Parlour (back room) - 250 West 86th Street (btwn B'way and West End Ave.), with hosts Bernadette Evangelist and Sally Swisher.
West Village - 7:00pm, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.) with host Tracey Keij-Denton.
Astoria, Queens - 7:30pm, - Ommonia Cafe 32-20 Broadway, with host Jeremiah Frei-Pearson and Costa Constantinides.
Sunnyside, Queens - 7:30 pm, Bliss Street Station restaurant, 47-02 Greenpoint Ave., with host Dan Jacoby.
Bayside, Queens - 7:00 pm, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics.
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn - 7:00pm, Wyckoff-Bennett Homestead 1669 E. 22nd St. with host Annette Mont and Estelle Glasser.
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 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
Some of our state's Reps need to hear from us to get healthcare reform passed. Here are some articles/open letters to NY State Congressional Reps. If these are your Reps, please contact them!
5 NY Democrats are blocking healthcare: fight back!
An Open Letter To Rep Scott Murphy On Health Care Reform
Nydia Velazquez: Please Support a Strong Public Option
If you want healthcare reform, contact these Congressional reps now!
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
No Land Grab: News from the point of view of Brooklyn opposition to overdevelopment
True News from ChangeNYC.Org: ChangeNYC.Org is an organization unifying our City’s Democratic Party by welcoming all New Yorkers back into the political process. We are a coalition of real, everyday New Yorkers – young voters, progressives, neighborhood leaders, community bloggers, good government groups, and even conservatives – who believe that in cooperation we can bring the change to our City that together we have begun to bring to our nation.
Let me highlight some excellent candidates running in New York in 2009: (also see my borough specific sections where I also discuss candidates)
Norm Siegel for Public Advocate
Norman Siegel would be, without any doubt, the best Public Advocate possible for NYC. He has 40 years experience as a civil rights lawyer and already takes on the causes of 9/11 widows, firefighters, bloggers, and just about anyone who needs help defending their rights and liberties. He has so far been endorsed by Democracy for NYC, Room 8 Blogger Rock Hackshaw, State Senator Eric Adams, New York Metro Area Postal Union, Three Parks Independent Democrats, Broadway Democrats, Village Independent Democrats, Village Reform Democratic Club, Park River Independent Democrats, New York Community Council, the Audubon Reform Democratic Club, Brooklyn Democrats for Change, and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats.
The only poll so far done on this race shows Norm Siegel in second place, just ahead of the much better funded, establishment and pro-developer candidate Bill DeBlasio. This is an excellent showing for Norm, and if he can hold that position he can make it to a runoff.
Go here to read Norman Siegel's statement on declaring the Gowanus canal a superfund site to clean it up.
Here's a link to Norm Siegel on NY1.
And here is Youtube footage of Norm Siegel and the NYC Coalition To Preserve Term Limits Press Conference:
John Liu For Comptroller
The race for comptroller includes four candidates. Only two of those candidates have financial experience: David Weprin and John Liu. Of the two, I find Liu the more progressive and more appealing, though both are qualified. I also like Liu because he is a science nerd turned politician (he got his degree in mathematical physics). That endears him to Joy and myself.
I was among the first (John says I WAS the first) to endorse Liu. In a recent poll, John Liu is the clear leader...though there are still more than 50% undecided. This means this is a race we can most affect because so few people have paid attention to it.
I should note that my son has taken a particular liking to John Liu, and he has had a pretty good sense of who's a good person. John Liu has also been endorsed by 504 Democratic Club (disabled rights), American Heritage Democratic Club (Bay Ridge, Brooklyn), Barack Obama Democratic Club of Upper Manhattan, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (the club Joy is an officer of), Democratic Organization of Richmond County, East Harlem United Democrats, El Nuevo Caribe Democratic Club of El Barrio/East Harlem, Gramercy Stuyvesant Independent Democrats, Councilwoman Letitia James, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Lambda Independent Democratic Club, Lambda Independent Democrats, Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens, Martin Luther King Democrats, Rosa Parks Democrats, Staten Island Democratic Association, Stonewall Democrats of New York City...whew, and MANY more. But I was first!
You can read more abuot John here.
More Races: Here is my updated list of races I am targeting. There are lots of important races I highlight all over the city. If we want change locally, this list is a good start.
Alternative Energy in NY State:
Here are some stats from Repower America:
* A $2 billion investment by Spanish energy company, Iberdrola, will double New York's 1,000-megawatt wind capacity to 2,000-megawatts - providing enough electricity for nearly 600,000 homes.
* New York's energy efficiency programs save enough electricity to power almost 115,000 homes for a whole year, save almost $140 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 60,000 cars off the road. Although great progress, the state still has much more potential to increase its energy efficiency.
* The state has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires all public utilities to generate 24% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2013.
What you can do for Clean Energy:
For pennies per month more than you currently pay for energy you can buy 100% green energy from Con-Ed. Joy and I have been doing it for years, seriously reducing our carbon footprint and giving NY State cleaner air. Here's how it works:
Clean Energy for Residential & Small Business Customers ConEdison Solutions is leading the way in promoting pollution-free electricity by offering WIND and GREEN Power - clean, 100% renewable power. Instead of drawing on traditional power sources, such as nuclear power and fossil fuel sources, GREEN Power is generated from regional wind and low-impact hydropower sources. GREEN Power is composed of 65% run-of-the-river hydro and 35% wind power. See content label WIND Power is composed of electricity exclusively generated from 100% wind power. The benefit of clean energy is that it produces none of the detrimental environmental effects associated with electricity production that results in air emissions.
ConEdison Solutions is committed to making a difference in the environment and together we have the opportunity to help make a powerful impact. The cost for renewable energy has fallen dramatically in recent years and is only a fraction higher than electricity generated from traditional power sources. ConEdison Solutions' GREEN Power costs only an additional one cent per kilowatt-hour (kWh) more than our standard offer and WIND Power is an additional 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) more than our standard offer. Upgrading to renewable energy makes a difference and is a very affordable way to show that you care about the future of our environment.
To sign up GO HERE. Or call: 1-888-320-8991. You won't regret switching.
Here are a handful of Organizations worth checking out:
The Environmental Business Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the growth of the environmental industry in New York State. Specifically, we help to promote and serve serving the industry sectors of Climate Change, Greening Communities, Energy and WALCE (Water-Agriculture-Land Use-Conservation-Environmental). News here. Events list here (not recently updated).
NY Citizens for Clean Elections: We are committed to passage of Clean Money Clean Election legislation in NYS that provides a non-partisan approach for full public funding of campaigns for all qualified candidates who refuse private money and abide by spending limits. We want to ensure that all Americans, regardless of wealth, have an equal voice in the political system and that qualified candidates are not discouraged from running because they do not have access to the money needed for a competitive campaign.
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.
Stonewall Democrats of Western New York is the GLBT Democratic voice in WNY. Our mission is to advocate for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community within the Democratic Party and to encourage GLBT participation within the Democratic Party. Our membership includes representatives from State, County, and City government, and several Democratic committee members amongst the various County Committees in WNY.
DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA MEETINGS IN NY STATE:
Democracy For The Southern Adirondack/Tricounty Area. You can also check out their website here.
Democracy For The Greater Glens Falls Area
dfaROCHESTER. And you can check out their website here.
Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region. And you can join their Yahoo group here.
Capital District of NY/GenDFA
Democracy for the Hudson Valley
Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance
Democracy For Westchester
Democracy for Long Island. You can also join their Yahoo group here.
North Country Democracy for America
Central New York DFA
Eastern Long Island Democracy for America
Democracy For Saratoga Springs
Kingston Democracy for America
Democracy for Otsego and Delaware Counties
Philipstown for Democracy
DFA: Greene County
Livingston County for Democracy
DEMOCRACY FOR NYC MEETINGS:
First Wednesday of every month.
Upper West Side - 7:00 pm, The Parlour (back room) - 250 West 86th Street (btwn B'way and West End Ave.), with hosts Bernadette Evangelist and Sally Swisher.
West Village - 7:00pm, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.) with host Tracey Keij-Denton.
Astoria, Queens - 7:30pm, - Ommonia Cafe 32-20 Broadway, with host Jeremiah Frei-Pearson and Costa Constantinides.
Sunnyside, Queens - 7:30 pm, Bliss Street Station restaurant, 47-02 Greenpoint Ave., with host Dan Jacoby.
Bayside, Queens - 7:00 pm, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics.
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn - 7:00pm, Wyckoff-Bennett Homestead 1669 E. 22nd St. with host Annette Mont and Estelle Glasser.
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 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
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