Barron And Oddo Go At It Over Abortion Rights

The City Council has been quite a dramatic place recently, especially with the vicious fight over term limits. Since then things have turned mostly to planning for the upcoming budget battle but that doesn't mean an incendiary social issue can't send sparks into the air between those that support abortion rights and those that do. Yesterday Charles Barron and James Oddo let their voices (but thankfully not their fists) rip and roar at each other.

From PolitickerNY:

The dispute occurred during a hearing on a bill that would strengthen laws that govern protesters who demonstrate in front of women's health clinics that provide abortions, and also other services. Supporters say it protects access to the clinics, critics say it infringes on free speech. Christine Quinn backs the the bill and co-wrote an opinion piece on it today.

Oddo opposes abortion rights. Barron supports them.

According to a person who attended the hearing, the fight was so chaotic, “It was hard to make out what they were saying.”

Generally inaudiblity is what happens when two people fixed to their ideas get into it over an issue like abortion rights. Protesting something you believe in is perfectly fine if you aren't intimidating the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of another. The problem with the people that Oddo is standing up for is that many infringe on the rights of those that wish to proceed with visiting an abortion clinic. Unfortunately in too many occasions doctors and patients have been hurt or killed by the hate these protesters. If someone comes up with a bill to make sure they stay in line, then more power to them....and to Charles Barron for standing up for it.

Term Limit Vote Scheduled For This Thursday!

As of this afternoon it has been made official. The Council has decided to vote on the Mayor's legislation to allow him to run for re-election by extending term limits. In two days time, we should know how the Council feels about doing an end run around the will of the voters who enacted term limits in 93' and 96.' As the opposition grows to the Mayor's plan backed by the Speaker and as of now sixteen of her fellows, their arguments are being debunked and the response is to speed this thing up so the public can quickly forget. Now that we have a set date to vote, things are moving a bit more rapidly.

From The Daily Politics:

Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., a member of the Government Operations Committee which must cast the first votes on Mayor Bloomberg's bill, told me last week he was leaning toward "no." But he announced today that he has changed his mind.[...]

Republican Council Minority Leader James Oddo, who is close to Council Speaker Christine Quinn and used to share a party affiliation with the mayor, announced he will vote "no" on the mayor's bill.

Of course Vallone Jr. was on the Bloomberg's list of slush recipients and his Dad is lobbying for the Mayor. The rest of the undecideds should quit playing around and say which side they are on. Rumor has it that Yassky is trying to make a deal with one of Bloomberg's men behind the scenes. On that note, the other twelve in his group are starting to stink to high hell of trying to do something similar the longer they sit on the fence. With thirteen of them left, five members need to stand up to defeat this thing once and for all. If James Oddo can defy King Bloomberg (especially since he took his money too), so can they.

The Pigeons Strike/Poop Back

Another day and the pigeon story develops a new wing. Did you know that if you counted pigeons in the census New York would have over nine million residents (One could only imagine if you put rats and mice in there as well)? With such a strong presence in New York City, it was only a matter of time before pigeons would speak up against the City Council's attack on the rats with wings birds. Ok well maybe not the pigeons themselves, since they only make that incessant cooing noise. There are people however who are turning out and spreading their own wings in this new political debate.

From The New York Times:

About a dozen or so of the city’s leading pigeon advocates gathered for an emergency meeting Wednesday night on the second floor of a Starbucks on the Upper East Side to plan a counteroffensive.

The meeting was called by Anna Dove, founder and president of the New York Bird Club, which claims 60 members and is one of the two leading pigeon-rights groups in the city. Ms. Dove legally changed her last name from Kugelmas in honor of her dove Lucy. Also present was Al Streit, director of Pigeon People, a rescue and advocacy group that claims 200 members in its online discussion group. Representatives were also present from New York City Pigeon Rescue Center, Win Animal Rights and other organizations.

“Don’t people realize that this is an extraordinary bird?” asked Mary Beyerbach, a member of the New York Bird Club, who noted the heroics of a homing pigeon named Cher Ami — in French, meaning “dear friend.” Cher Ami was credited with saving 194 American lives in France during World War I, earning him the Croix de Guerre honor.

Now that is one piece of military history that I had forgotten about. Ms. Dove is right, the pigeon is no ordinary bird. That is 194 more American lives saved than George Bush could ever lay claim to (not including those he indirectly sent to their deaths in Iraq). However, the pigeon problem here is not one of whether these birds are patriots, its that they are taking over the city. Sometimes you need to deal with such issues, as you know Serendipity 3 will be when it comes to those cute furry mice.

Pigeons Going On The Pill?

Do pigeons agree that they should wait to have sex until after marriage, make sure their young be schooled on abstinence programs or even go so far as China in its population control law? Well Councilman James Oddo wants to enrage the Christian right instead and give birth control to the so-called "rats with wings" in the city. Will we hear from James Dobson or Pat Robertson on this issue?

From AM New York:

Borrowing an idea from Hollywood, City Councilman James Oddo says contraception may help to reduce the proliferation of pigeons at the St. George terminal on Staten Island.

He says the use of a product called OvoControl P in rooftop bird feeders is supported by animal protection groups and has been proposed to the city departments of environmental protection and transportation. State environmental experts have it under study.

Oddo says it appears OvoControl P "might be a tool we can use long-term to eliminate this problem in a humane fashion."

Well it is better than capture and killing flocks of pigeons, but where does it end? Can this be done to rats and mice too? Oh and what if other birds eat the food and being infertile as well? Shall we trade a pigeon problem for a bird-free New York? Oddo claims that animal protection groups do not have an issue with using OvoControl P but I'd like to hear them say it for themselves, remember which Councilman we are dealing with here.

Councilman Oddo Loses It

I usually do not watch people get "punked," but watching Councilman James Oddo lose his cool in front of a Norwegian comedienne is absolutely hilarious.