Another Reason For O'Reilly To Hate San Fran

Bill O'Reilly loves to hate on San Francisco. Too many liberals, Nancy Pelosi, an atmosphere of acceptance and a whole host of things might have led him to call for terrorists to attack the city. Well now he might call for its complete destruction because they are rejecting the politics of fear when it comes to immigrants. O'Reilly thrives on striking fear into the hearts of his loyal viewers, so this story about how San Fran is going to help undocumented workers will really put him into overdrive.

From El Diario de La Prensa:

Last week, the mayor of San Francisco re-affirmed that California city’s commitment to letting its residents know that city employees will not ask for or report a person’s immigration status to federal immigration agents. A San Francisco resident can access city services without fear of triggering immigration authorities.

The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is not new. It dates back to a 1989 sanctuary ordinance that Mayor Gavin Newsom reinforced with an executive order last year.

But Newsom issued more than a reminder. The city is launching an $83,000 public awareness campaign that includes multi-language advertisements and brochures on the policy, and public service announcements.

This sensible and commendable move should send the message that cities can work constructively to deal with public safety and health.

In many cities across the country, immigrants fear speaking out against criminals in their midst and dealing with health problems out of fear for authorities. This anxiety-ridden way of life does not only affect these victims of crime or poor health, but the entire community that interacts with undocumented workers on a daily basis. As much as O'Reilly and others like him do not want to admit, they are an integral part of our society and as decent human beings we should all work to help enact policies like that of San Francisco.

Vitter Has A Problem With Prostitutes And Parking Signs

To be fair to Senator Vitter he wasn't the one driving the car, but as for the prostitutes, thats all on him.

Not Much Left To The NY G.O.P.

Things are bad nationwide for Republicans this election cycle. Dozens of (R)epresentatives have either left in the middle of their terms or have signaled they aren't coming back for the 111th Congress. Senate prospects aren't looking so good either and frankly McCain is not the most desired candidate, even among conservatives. Yet out of the entire country, things aren't looking as bad as they are right here in New York for the Grand Old Party.

From The NY Times:

Heading into this election cycle, Republican leaders in Washington identified dozens of Congressional seats they believed they could pick up in November’s election — some where Democrats narrowly won a first term in 2006, and others where Democrats represent Republican-leaning districts.

But that strategy appears to have run into complications, both in the New York region and in some other parts of the country, as many potential Republican candidates — including public officials and wealthy entrepreneurs — have stayed on the sidelines, despite direct appeals from party leaders.

In some cases, potential candidates see a tough climate for Republicans, largely because of a troubled economy and a protracted war, according to some Republicans.

Some have even started races, only to abandon the effort.

There are so many examples across the state where the GOP leadership has failed to put up a challenge to their newly open seats and most surprisingly against the Democratic freshman class that includes the likes of John Hall and Kristin Gillibrand. The NY Times article goes on to profile every seat that should have been contested, yet for one reason or another has been practically ceded by the Republicans. Instead of playing defense in NY, Dems can play offense in many other districts not only in New York but across the country as well. The fact is, there isn't much being offered by the Republican party, for the voters and for any possible candidates that would think of running with an "R" next to their name.

Penn Makes It Official, He's Still In Clinton's Camp

I don't know who bought the story from the Clinton campaign about Mark Penn's resignation last night, but if there are still any believers in that crap tonight's news should dispel that notion. In order to stem the damage from Penn's hypocritical relations with the Colombian government (since Clinton opposes free trade agreements between the U.S. and Colombia, at least publicly). Regardless of the resignation, it looked like it was only a title change and Mark Penn said as much tonight on the nightly conference call.

From The Huffington Post:

Peppered with questions from colleagues -- one mentioned her "pretty panicked client," another asked bluntly, "Ultimately did you think that it was the best thing for the company [to work for Clinton's campaign]?" -- Penn insisted that "the situation has played itself out."

But he confirmed that while his title with the campaign had changed -- and his work load would undoubtedly decrease -- he still would play a direct advisory role for Clinton.

"I think you've heard that I made the decision to step down as chief strategist of the Clinton campaign. Penn Schoen and Berland is going to continue to poll for it and I'll continue to play a role advising Senator Clinton and former President Clinton as well as the rest of the leadership of the campaign," he said.

Later, he added: "The title, the position of chief strategist tended to be one that drew a tremendous amount of attention. And, number two, yes, I will have more time. We will continue - Penn and Schoen will continue to do the polling and I will be advising, but the net of it will still be that I will have more time than I otherwise would have had so that definitely is going to be the case."

So Mr. Chief Strategist will now just be a chief strategist, if that makes any difference to anyone. He clearly wanted to make that known to all of the "important" people around him, namely those who can drive clients his way or that has anything to do with people getting rich from his PR and polling business. What a joke, Penn believes that this is over in the media and he can go back to business as usual, what an arrogant a**hole!

Terry McAuliffe Digs Obama?

Oh no, is another Hillary Clinton stepping aside behind smoke and mirrors? Or worse, is Terry McAuliffe joining the Obama camp??? Nah, that ain't happening, but these pictures sure do have us confused Terry:

Bloomberg Running Out Of Congestion Pricing Gas

The Mayor is on his last fumes up in Albany and it looks like congestion pricing is going to die a languished death today, at least in terms of the $354 billion dollars in federal money that will disappear. Bloomberg has been quite vocal against the C-P critics and praising all of his allies, but in the end, if you can't get enough of Albany's Finest, then you are shit out of luck.

From The Gothamist:

The fate of the controversial plan to charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street lies with Albany, as state legislators must decide whether to approve the plan by midnight tonight. But Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said last night, "There isn't a groundswell of support for it" among other Assembly members. But most papers are saying the plan is effectively dead.

If Albany can approve congestion pricing today, then the city is eligible for $354 million in federal funds to implement the plan (if not, that money is directed to other cities). Mayor Bloomberg begged lawmakers to pass it, saying yesterday, "[Lawmakers] going to be responsible to their constituents as to why they don’t have buses. When we stop work on the Second Avenue subway, they’re the ones that are going to have to answer.”

Now those are fighting words Mr. Mayor!

Frankly, as a Manhattanite and one that supports the environment and mass transit, I'm in favor of congestion pricing, despite the Mayor's amusing level of passion for the legislation. As someone that lives right off of 2nd Avenue, I would definitely love to see the T line come down the street at some point in my lifetime. Yet like Sheldon Silver said (as much as I detest him) there isn't much of a groundswell for the bill and unfortunately Albany is slow to do anything that might benefit the city.

If the bill doesn't go through in less than nine hours from now, it'll be effectively dead because there'll be no money to make all of those "instant" improvement the Mayor and his pro-congestion pricing groups have promised.

Oh and now there'll be no vote in the Assembly, so um, if you are anywhere near City Hall, watchout for possible Bloomberg tirades!

John McCain's Wife Not Saved From His Temper

Many people know that McCain has a history of being crabby. His temper isn't often heard on the campaign trail these days but here and there it can come out. Rest assured, his handlers must do a lot of work to keep it hammered down in the basement, but sometimes you just can't hide some pretty atrocious stuff. Now you never know what goes on between a husband and wife, but some behavior can be looked at and one might wonder, do we want a guy like that with his finger on the nuclear trigger?

From RawStory:

The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter, which will arrive in bookstores next month, reports an angry exchange between McCain and his wife that happened in full view of aides and reporters during a 1992 campaign stop. An advance copy of the book was obtained by RAW STORY.

Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain�s intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain�s hair and said, �You�re getting a little thin up there.� McCain�s face reddened, and he responded, �At least I don�t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.� McCain�s excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.

The man who was known as "McNasty" in high school has erupted in foul-languaged tirades at political foes and congressional colleagues more-or-less throughout his career, and his quickness to anger has been an issue on the presidential campaign trail as evidence of his fury has surfaced.

Schecter goes on to explain that in 1992, reporters had no idea how to cover such an incident, so they simply didn't. Nowadays in the 24 hour news cycle things are much different and something like this would have been all over YouTube. Yet this got buried many years ago, except for the anonymous accounts by several who were there. His temper is well known, but now......we are learning to what extent that fire can reach.

How Albany Really Works, Puppet Show Style

Politicians have trouble telling New Yorkers how the system works up in Albany, except for Brian Keeler and a few others. So to combat the tight-lipped legislators we have three little stick puppets who can really shed some light on the process of how the budget is made.

John McCain Doesn't Have A Clue On Iraq

Not one iota. John McCain either doesn't want to know the truth about Iraq, doesn't care, or like his favorite hugger, prefers to make up his own reality about what is going on in the country that we have tried to occupy yet failed at it miserably. It is probably easier for the Senator to look through rose-colored glasses than deal with his buddy George Bush and his fellow Republicans in Congress that helped to create the problem quagmire utter disaster in Iraq for the last five years. In his latest outburst of truthiness, he claims that Iraq is beginning to 'approach something normal.' Would that be normal like the inside of Bellevue?

From The Huffington Post:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Republican John McCain insists last year's U.S. troop buildup in Iraq brought a glimmer of "something approaching normal" there, despite a recent outbreak of heavy fighting and an American death toll that has surpassed 4,000.

"We are no longer staring into the abyss of defeat, and we can now look ahead to the genuine prospect of success," McCain said in a speech prepared for delivery Monday.

The presidential nominee-in-waiting is closely tied to the unpopular, 5-year-old war. McCain was a vocal advocate of the troop increase strategy eventually adopted by President Bush, and is seeking to convince people the strategy is working.

The more he talks about Iraq moving along swimmingly, the more voters will see what a true crackpot Senator McCain is. While the Democrats talk about taking troops out of Iraq and leaving the disaster and letting Iraqis take care of their own, McCain wants more of the same.....and frankly the American people are sick of it.

Dan Squadron Gets Big "Chuck" Time Support Against Connor

In New York state politics or any state for that matter, running against an incumbent is a challenge of that requires overcoming immense odds. The power of incumbency in New York has enabled many legislators to stay in their seats for many years and decades. Though if you are going to fight the status quo in Albany, going in with a good message and powerful friends is a smart way to go. Dan Squadron has the message and now the support of New York's senior Senator, Chuck Schumer.

From The NY Daily News:

Veteran Brooklyn State Sen. Marty Connor said he was shocked when Schumer informed him during a rural Democrats' event in Saratoga Springs on Saturday that Schumer will back his former aide and political neophyte, Daniel Squadron, against Connor this fall.

According to Connor, Schumer, speaking in "a cold voice," informed the former state Senate minority leader: "You weren't there when I needed you; I owe you nothing."

At issue was Connor's 1998 endorsement of then-Rep. Schumer's U.S. Senate primary opponent, Geraldine Ferraro. Schumer went on to win the primary that year and oust Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato in the general election.

"Chuck's so powerful now he thinks he can go back and get even with everyone who slighted him over the last 10 years," said a miffed Connor, whose encounter with Schumer was seen by several Democrats and independently confirmed by one of them.

Damn! Now that is playing hardball New York style. Connor may be miffed by Schumer's broadside against him, but in the Empire State favors do go a long way and vice-versa. This encounter certainly complicates Schumer's support of Squadron in political circles but if he comes through with the cash that Chuck is known for, that outburst of contempt won't amount to much.

Of course we still have another man throwing his hat in the ring as he did two years ago, Mr. Ken Diamondstone. Ken can certainly throw his weight in as well for the primary and contest Connor as well. The only problem is that the two challengers can complicate the anti-Connor vote. The question is, can either one get the other to bow out to put up a formidable challenge to Connor?

A Soldier's Story

It may only be two minutes, but nevertheless it is powerful:

The "Raw Sewage" Legacy Of George W. Bush

After a President serves his term in office, a few years or even decades later, public areas or buildings are named after them to endure their legacies. Certainly George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln have many. So does F.D.R., John F. Kennedy and now even Ronald Reagan (libraries and airports and such). Well even though George Bush has a few months in office left, that doesn't mean that citizens can't express their gratitude in petitioning name changes of public sites. The Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco was formed to specifically for that purpose. So what do they want to honor our 43rd President?

From The SFist:

Looking to honor the forty-third President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, the recently formed Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco is looking to change the name of the Oceanside Wastewater Treatment Facility. It seems the group would like to rename the SF Zoo adjacent facility to the "George W Bush Sewage Plant."

Genius.

The local grassroots movement, helmed by "Wayne Pickering," is proposing an ordinance initiative for the November 2008 San Francisco ballot in order to get the poop/pee/vomit plant's title changed. Why? To honor our current leader of the free world with an "appropriate and enduring legacy, for no other president in modern American history has accomplished so much in such a short time.

We think this is an excellent idea.

Would you like to help out with this effort? Help collect signatures? Host meetings or social gatherings? Then, join the effort by visiting Presidentialmemorial.org. So far, there are only six members, which we find inexcusable. Together we can make a difference and setup a constant reminder of what was, arguably, the worst administration in the history of our glorious country. God bless America and God bless the Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco.

Yes, everyone should join in and help support this glorious effort. There are much more than six members the last time I checked, but that should not stop anyone from signing up with this brilliant movement of citizen action. Now and even after George has departed, once this country is put back on the right path we should continue to sponsor projects of similar esteem to make sure that generations of America come to know what this President symbolizes for our great nation.