Showing posts with label Blog Owner Message. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Owner Message. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Education on Staten Island - Not much has changed...
As some of our studenst approach the state mandated standardized tests, we continue to stare out across the desert that is our education system in search of the oasis, when we should be looking for the ocean. Too many opinions surround the solutions to our education ills...and each person is sure they have the right answer. Not unlike our President's answer to energy policy, we need to take an all of the above approach.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
We are ready now...why weren't we ready then?
I realize this may not be the right time, but it is burning me right now. In the leadup to hurricane Katrina, there was confusion, misdirected orders, last-minute changes, breakdowns in security, communication, and preparedness... the result was that many people died.
Why do we have to wait for deaths to make proper preparations for what most agree is possible and even probable.
Now, as hurricane Irene heads north, we are more prepared than ever AND disaster relief has been pre-positioned, the military has been called up, the mayor is actively,personally informing the people...all of it appreciated, all of it valuable, all of it likely to save thousands of lives, and even mitigate some resultant property damage...but to me, right now, the cost was just....too high.
Monday, October 11, 2010
It's "Just a Toy""
The phrase boys love their toys has been somewhat misused over time. Once a simple phrase to relate to how young men don’t easily separate from the toys of their youth, it now includes all manner of objects; cars, tools, and (sorry ladies) women. As the title suggests, I have held on, rather tightly, to one of the toys of my not-so-distant past- Buzz Lightyear of Disney’s Toy Story fame. I purchased “Buzz” at the height of the original Toy Story craze with the hope of squirreling him away for a few decades, until some future collector decides he would be willing to pay handsomely for him.
My Buzz was kept in his original packaging and untouched by human hands since the date of purchase. Buzz spent time in my first solo apartment, the basement of the first home I ever purchased, and until recently the bedroom closet. When I moved, unlike the dilemma he experienced in the first Toy Story movie, Buzz moved. He became a fixture that I had to explain from time to time as he was discovered in his various hiding places. Visiting children and even my own children asked to hold him, “just for a minute”, but the answer was always the same-no. He was a collector’s item, an investment.
In truth, Buzz had become more than his future value to me. I related to him as he attempted to prove to his friends that he was real. I had often felt that I always had to prove that I was who I said I was. My words weren’t enough; I had to show them that I really could fly. My disappointment didn’t materialize into acceptance that I was “just a toy”, rather I accepted that I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone; I just had to be me.
Old things becoming new again, at five, my son is infatuated with Toy Story 3. During a trip to the toy store, he wouldn’t leave without a six-inch Buzz Lightyear action figure. He was beyond ecstatic. An errant glance into my closet sealed whatever deal (or remaining youthful attachment) I had for Buzz. You see, his Mommy didn’t share my sense of investment, or the value of an untouched, un-played with toy. She gave it to him while I was at work, hoping to return it to its proper place. Enter my daughter, the 3 year-old who likes to shred boxes like a late night stock handler. Too late to repair, I have resigned to giving Buzz to Malcolm, and I have to admit, I enjoy watching him play with it more than I would have enjoyed the profit from his sale. After all it is “just a toy”.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Can we can expect some actual violence this election....
In the lead up to the midterms, the most repeated word to describe the constituency is angry. People are angry about Health Care reform, entitlements, do nothing politicians and do too much politicians. Some feel powerless and are genuinely frustrated with all of what goes on in Washington. But I believe their numbers are far fewer than media has represented. In truth the largest part of the voting age public is actually apathetic to who is claiming to be in charge and who looks forward to being in charge. The squabbles for political points, gotchas, and pandering have the majority of Americans flatly disinterested.
If we just look at those who are interested we find a few factions...Party Loyalists, Civic Duty voters, genuine (small i) independents, the first (well second) timers, and the Activists...those that are very impassioned about their vote, and their views. The super liberals, especially those upset with arguably the most liberal President ever elected, will grudgingly vote this midterm, and there is no doubt that Tea Partiers and super conservatives will be out en masse, so where will the violence come from?
There are individuals that have been so stirred by the rhetoric and whose values are already on such shaky civic ground that this election is likely to push them over the edge. The 3-second loop of the Black Panthers intimidating voters...in a majority Black district (not that it matters) will be replicated from the opposite side of the color spectrum this election day...and quite frankly, they probably wont be as nice. There are already small stories cropping up around the country about citizens organizing to confront voters at the polls and (illegally) demand identification. The ever-present spectre of voter fraud will rear its ugly head once more with tall tales of busloads of voters going from poll to poll to cast multiple votes throughout multiple counties (who has time for that?). At some point in time during the day, whether due to a broken machine, an untrustworthy poll attendant, misinterpretation, misrepresentation, or misunderstanding...violence may happen.
But in Richmond County we can relax, we know it won't happen here, not in the only county in the nation to experience election night violence on the evening of an historic election... right?
If we just look at those who are interested we find a few factions...Party Loyalists, Civic Duty voters, genuine (small i) independents, the first (well second) timers, and the Activists...those that are very impassioned about their vote, and their views. The super liberals, especially those upset with arguably the most liberal President ever elected, will grudgingly vote this midterm, and there is no doubt that Tea Partiers and super conservatives will be out en masse, so where will the violence come from?
There are individuals that have been so stirred by the rhetoric and whose values are already on such shaky civic ground that this election is likely to push them over the edge. The 3-second loop of the Black Panthers intimidating voters...in a majority Black district (not that it matters) will be replicated from the opposite side of the color spectrum this election day...and quite frankly, they probably wont be as nice. There are already small stories cropping up around the country about citizens organizing to confront voters at the polls and (illegally) demand identification. The ever-present spectre of voter fraud will rear its ugly head once more with tall tales of busloads of voters going from poll to poll to cast multiple votes throughout multiple counties (who has time for that?). At some point in time during the day, whether due to a broken machine, an untrustworthy poll attendant, misinterpretation, misrepresentation, or misunderstanding...violence may happen.
But in Richmond County we can relax, we know it won't happen here, not in the only county in the nation to experience election night violence on the evening of an historic election... right?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The New Political Strategies
Lie, Avoid, Deny, Attack the character of the accuser, and Dismiss. These are the key word to Tea Party/Republican’s campaign strategy going into the mid-term elections. In years past, any candidate would give his/her right arm for national presence and the opportunity to present their views on the national stage. How did we arrive at candidates running from cameras and refusing interviews? How did we arrive at bigots coming within a stone’s throw of major state office? How did we arrive at otherwise reasonable people willing to follow certifiably nutty candidates?
The press will tell you that the constituency is angered, incensed, and not going to take it anymore. They are so mad they are willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces…and candidates KNOW IT! So rather than present a level measured view to how to correct the issues of the day using either right or left wing principles, we are instead talking about witchcraft. We are talking about a candidate that wants to wean his own mother off of Social Security and reduce her Medicare benefits. We are considering candidates that would force a woman to have the child of a rapist or an family member in cases of incest. People proclaiming to want to change the fiscal responsibility in Washington, are themselves fiscally irresponsible. People that claim to represent the best in American values are enjoying the company of prostitutes, Brazilian lovers, and rented boys. People who decide how government will spend our taxes don’t pay their own. The press keeps saying people are angry…you ask the man on the street, he says he has heard that people are angry…people are angry, people are angry…if you say it often enough, and repeat it every news cycle, it becomes thee standard. If you tell people to go to a meeting and shout down the opposition-because they are angry…well you see the results. This isn’t political discourse, its Junior High School schoolyard shenanigans… barely worthy of mention. But just as sex sells, so does anger and reporters continue to look for the hottest buttons to draw the reader/viewer without regard for the fallout.
The other emotion about to determine who drives the car is fear. We are trying to scare common folks with exotic tales of madrassas, Kenyans, birth certificates, Black Liberation Theology – which most people can’t even define, death panels, draconian gun control, government collusion in 9/11, government takeover of your very ability to breathe, the death of marriage, international vendettas as cause for war, un-American presidents, and lying presidents. Up until now, the right has had complete control over the fear button… but that’s about to change.
The only chance Democrats will have this mid-season is to take control of the fear button and press it hard until November 2nd. Without debating the merits of using fear to incite the constituency, there simply is no other way. Poll after poll shows that the electorate is not satisfied with the first two years of Obama’s administration…wow, what have we come to when a president that has arguably accomplished more in two years than any other, is summarily dismissed as having done too much, not having done enough, over shot the mark, under shot the mark and done nothing, ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
Some Democrats, and more importantly the Independents that voted for change in 2008, are unaware or apathetic to what is about to happen during the midterms. The sea change of the congress will have one, and only one effect on governance – There will e NO governance. In the past, when one side wanted a program or a tax cut or whatever… they would negotiate the merits of their idea while providing some benefit to the other side, that’s over. The negotiation would continue until most settled on a result acceptable to both parties… I think they call it compromise (haven’t seen any of that since the brother took the reins), that’s over now. Well if it didn’t happen before in the 60 or no Senate, you can bet your last dollar that it will never happen now- THAT is something to be feared. America cannot afford a stalemated government, we can’t afford a purely liberal government and we can’t afford a purely conservative government. What has worked, and what will work best for ALL Americans is a balanced approach…social services AND tax cuts, individual liberty AND freedom of expression, a strong Military AND a solid Education system. I don’t know when this cycle of extremes will end, but until it does, or until politicians learn to act sensibly, rather than appealing to their base in the interest of keeping their jobs, the stalemate will continue and the ONLY people that will suffer, is the American people, the American ideal, and many American Dreams.
The press will tell you that the constituency is angered, incensed, and not going to take it anymore. They are so mad they are willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces…and candidates KNOW IT! So rather than present a level measured view to how to correct the issues of the day using either right or left wing principles, we are instead talking about witchcraft. We are talking about a candidate that wants to wean his own mother off of Social Security and reduce her Medicare benefits. We are considering candidates that would force a woman to have the child of a rapist or an family member in cases of incest. People proclaiming to want to change the fiscal responsibility in Washington, are themselves fiscally irresponsible. People that claim to represent the best in American values are enjoying the company of prostitutes, Brazilian lovers, and rented boys. People who decide how government will spend our taxes don’t pay their own. The press keeps saying people are angry…you ask the man on the street, he says he has heard that people are angry…people are angry, people are angry…if you say it often enough, and repeat it every news cycle, it becomes thee standard. If you tell people to go to a meeting and shout down the opposition-because they are angry…well you see the results. This isn’t political discourse, its Junior High School schoolyard shenanigans… barely worthy of mention. But just as sex sells, so does anger and reporters continue to look for the hottest buttons to draw the reader/viewer without regard for the fallout.
The other emotion about to determine who drives the car is fear. We are trying to scare common folks with exotic tales of madrassas, Kenyans, birth certificates, Black Liberation Theology – which most people can’t even define, death panels, draconian gun control, government collusion in 9/11, government takeover of your very ability to breathe, the death of marriage, international vendettas as cause for war, un-American presidents, and lying presidents. Up until now, the right has had complete control over the fear button… but that’s about to change.
The only chance Democrats will have this mid-season is to take control of the fear button and press it hard until November 2nd. Without debating the merits of using fear to incite the constituency, there simply is no other way. Poll after poll shows that the electorate is not satisfied with the first two years of Obama’s administration…wow, what have we come to when a president that has arguably accomplished more in two years than any other, is summarily dismissed as having done too much, not having done enough, over shot the mark, under shot the mark and done nothing, ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
Some Democrats, and more importantly the Independents that voted for change in 2008, are unaware or apathetic to what is about to happen during the midterms. The sea change of the congress will have one, and only one effect on governance – There will e NO governance. In the past, when one side wanted a program or a tax cut or whatever… they would negotiate the merits of their idea while providing some benefit to the other side, that’s over. The negotiation would continue until most settled on a result acceptable to both parties… I think they call it compromise (haven’t seen any of that since the brother took the reins), that’s over now. Well if it didn’t happen before in the 60 or no Senate, you can bet your last dollar that it will never happen now- THAT is something to be feared. America cannot afford a stalemated government, we can’t afford a purely liberal government and we can’t afford a purely conservative government. What has worked, and what will work best for ALL Americans is a balanced approach…social services AND tax cuts, individual liberty AND freedom of expression, a strong Military AND a solid Education system. I don’t know when this cycle of extremes will end, but until it does, or until politicians learn to act sensibly, rather than appealing to their base in the interest of keeping their jobs, the stalemate will continue and the ONLY people that will suffer, is the American people, the American ideal, and many American Dreams.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
45,000 Die Yearly for a lack of health care....
that's one every 12 minutes...
read the following abstract from the Harvard Study:
Health Insurance and Mortality in US Adults
Andrew P. Wilper 1*, Steffie Woolhandler 2, Karen E. Lasser 2, Danny McCormick 2, David H. Bor 2, David U. Himmelstein 2
1 University of Washington School of Medicine
2 Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School
We are literally locked in a life and death struggle... people without adequate health care cannot afford to live...literally.
These invisible numbers are our neighbors, our former classmates, our friends, and relatives... one day....maybe even ourselves. One every 12 minutes. My question is simple...to the right; not who will pay, not government fear mongering, not anti-Obama rhetoric, not liberal vs. conservative...I am asking a simple question...a human question...and here it is:
read the following abstract from the Harvard Study:
Objectives. A 1993 study found a 25% higher risk of death among uninsured compared with privately insured adults. We analyzed the relationship between uninsurance and death with more recent data.
Methods. We conducted a survival analysis with data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We analyzed participants aged 17 to 64 years to determine whether uninsurance at the time of interview predicted death.
Results. Among all participants, 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]=2.5%, 3.7%) died. The hazard ratio for mortality among the uninsured compared with the insured, with adjustment for age and gender only, was 1.80 (95% CI=1.44, 2.26). After additional adjustment for race/ethnicity, income, education, self- and physician-rated health status, body mass index, leisure exercise, smoking, and regular alcohol use, the uninsured were more likely to die (hazard ratio=1.40; 95% CI=1.06, 1.84) than those with insurance.
Conclusions. Uninsurance is associated with mortality. The strength of that association appears similar to that from a study that evaluated data from the mid-1980s, despite changes in medical therapeutics and the demography of the uninsured since that time.
Health Insurance and Mortality in US Adults
Andrew P. Wilper 1*, Steffie Woolhandler 2, Karen E. Lasser 2, Danny McCormick 2, David H. Bor 2, David U. Himmelstein 2
1 University of Washington School of Medicine
2 Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School
We are literally locked in a life and death struggle... people without adequate health care cannot afford to live...literally.
These invisible numbers are our neighbors, our former classmates, our friends, and relatives... one day....maybe even ourselves. One every 12 minutes. My question is simple...to the right; not who will pay, not government fear mongering, not anti-Obama rhetoric, not liberal vs. conservative...I am asking a simple question...a human question...and here it is:
Is it okay for people to die in this country simply for a lack of adequate health care?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
An Open letter to Congressman Michael McMahon
I would like to begin by thanking you for having the courage to hold the town hall meeting. I’m relatively sure it met your expectations. The purpose of this letter is to let you know where I stand, unlike many of those that attended last night’s town hall, I voted for you. I voted for you as my Congressman, and I voted for you as my councilman. I will be voting for you again in 200, and my vote is NOT conditional, short of a major moral disaster.
I am a Staten Islander. I have lived on the North Shore my entire life. I have personally been on EVERY side of this issue. As the son of a single parent, my mother went on welfare for a short period. When she got work, and joined the union, our health care got better too. When she changed jobs, and went to work with a less powerful union, we were practically no better off than when she was on welfare. I joined the service, and enjoyed the best health care our country has to offer (probably even better than the care you now receive). When I returned from the service, I went without any insurance for a considerable amount of time. Luckily, I was still healthy, and short of a simple bloody nose that wouldn’t stop, I didn’t need emergency health care. I ran my own business for 5 years with 6 employees…providing zero benefits. I worked as a consultant, where there were no benefits, even as I started a family. I now work for a company where I started out in the union, so I have seen that side, with the constant bargaining that ALWAYS results in increased costs, and fewer benefits. I am now a part of management, so I see the other side of the fence. I say all of this to let you know that I am familiar with EVERY SIDE of the issue you now face. I have kept up with most of the issues regarding the proposed health care legislation, and I have come to a conclusion.
I support health care reform. I support reform that includes a public option (knowing that I will help foot that bill). I support future reasonable tort reform. I support a plan that is deficit neutral. I support a plan that does NOT adversely affect the current care our seniors are receiving. I support a plan that may be PURCHASED by illegal aliens, similar to the way it is now. I support a plan that mandates coverage (however, with fines & without the threat of prison). I support a plan that covers every American. I support a plan that removes stipulations regarding pre-existing conditions.
And I hope you do too.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, I look forward to your affirmative vote for Health Care reform.
I am a Staten Islander. I have lived on the North Shore my entire life. I have personally been on EVERY side of this issue. As the son of a single parent, my mother went on welfare for a short period. When she got work, and joined the union, our health care got better too. When she changed jobs, and went to work with a less powerful union, we were practically no better off than when she was on welfare. I joined the service, and enjoyed the best health care our country has to offer (probably even better than the care you now receive). When I returned from the service, I went without any insurance for a considerable amount of time. Luckily, I was still healthy, and short of a simple bloody nose that wouldn’t stop, I didn’t need emergency health care. I ran my own business for 5 years with 6 employees…providing zero benefits. I worked as a consultant, where there were no benefits, even as I started a family. I now work for a company where I started out in the union, so I have seen that side, with the constant bargaining that ALWAYS results in increased costs, and fewer benefits. I am now a part of management, so I see the other side of the fence. I say all of this to let you know that I am familiar with EVERY SIDE of the issue you now face. I have kept up with most of the issues regarding the proposed health care legislation, and I have come to a conclusion.
I support health care reform. I support reform that includes a public option (knowing that I will help foot that bill). I support future reasonable tort reform. I support a plan that is deficit neutral. I support a plan that does NOT adversely affect the current care our seniors are receiving. I support a plan that may be PURCHASED by illegal aliens, similar to the way it is now. I support a plan that mandates coverage (however, with fines & without the threat of prison). I support a plan that covers every American. I support a plan that removes stipulations regarding pre-existing conditions.
And I hope you do too.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, I look forward to your affirmative vote for Health Care reform.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
How does the Religious "Right" contend with Hypocrisy
Many conservatives are ready and willing to invoke "their" god when it comes to matters of political discourse. Abortion, School Prayer, and vouchers (yes they relate here), bring out the love of god in a conservative faster than you can blink. But, just try mentioning immigration, and social programs that help the needy, and they suddenly develop spiritual amnesia. The God that I know, says to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. The God I know says to treat our neighbors as we would ourselves. Is it not the same God (god)? Why when challenged with what they profess to believe do they suddenly throw up their hands? Is it guilt? Is it shame? I think we all kniow that is not the case. Lastly, the God I know asks that He be served in spirit and in truth...and there is something to be said for His abjorration of lukewarm servants.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
She went too far, now she has to pay...
Those of us who are parents have been there. We know the pressure of a long day, and just as you are at your wits end, a fight breaks out between the kids. You say stop 7 or 8 hundred times to no avail. You look for something to throw or you threaten them with severe bodily harm to no avail. You threaten to put them out of the car, and that doesn't work either...but you pull over for added emphasis...still no luck? How about open the door...by now, most kids are quiet. For whatever reason, Madlyn Primoff, 45, a partner in a Manhattan law firm, took it a step further and really put them out. Her daughters aged 12 and 10 were left on the sidewalk 3 miles from home. The 12 year old ran after the car, so the mother let her in. The 10 yr old wasn't fast enough. The mother was arrested when she appeared at the police station to recover her 'lost' child.
This is not the first, nor will it be the last case of a parent losing control, and taking measures so drastic they defy logic. We have to keep things in perspective when dealing with our children, and remember that nothing they do, is worth endangering their lives. This woman learned that lesson the hard way, but it gives us an opportunity to reflect and cool off when we find ourselves approaching the breaking point. Now go hug the little curtain climbers, even if they were bad today!
This is not the first, nor will it be the last case of a parent losing control, and taking measures so drastic they defy logic. We have to keep things in perspective when dealing with our children, and remember that nothing they do, is worth endangering their lives. This woman learned that lesson the hard way, but it gives us an opportunity to reflect and cool off when we find ourselves approaching the breaking point. Now go hug the little curtain climbers, even if they were bad today!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Why?
LEADERSHIP
1. the position or function of a leader:
2. ability to lead: She displayed leadership potential.
3. an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction: They prospered under his leadership.
4. the leaders of a group: The union leadership agreed to arbitrate.
Synonyms: administration, authority, capacity, command, conduction, control, conveyance, direction, directorship, domination, foresight, hegemony, influence, initiative, management, power, preeminence, primacy, skill, superiority, sway
Personal Touch: In my opinion, the skill and ability to influence others, whether directly or indirectly, to perform at or above their potential.
INTEGRITY
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition
Synonyms: candor, forthrightness, goodness, honesty, honorableness, incorruptibility, incorruption, principle, probity, purity, righteousness, sincerity, straightforwardness, virtue
Personal Touch: In my opinion, integrity means always doing the right thing, the same way, whether you are being watched or not. Strength is added to the term by preceding it with the word personal.
HONOR
1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor.
2. a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family.
3. high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.
4. such respect manifested: a memorial in honor of the dead.
5. high public esteem; fame; glory: He has earned his position of honor.
Synonyms: account, adoration, adulation, aggrandizement, apotheosis, approbation, attention, canonization, celebration, confidence, consideration, credit, deference, deification, dignity, distinction, elevation, esteem, exaltation, faith, fame, fealty, glorification, glory, greatness, high standing, homage, immortalization, laud, laurel, lionization, notice, obeisance, popularity, praise, prestige, rank, recognition, renown, reputation, repute, reverence, tribute, trust, veneration, worship, wreath
Personal Touch: In my opinion, honor can not be learned; it must be instilled, nurtured, and revered as an individual standard in order for it to have any value. It is an all or none prospect.
COURAGE
1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
Synonyms: adventuresomeness, adventurousness, audacity, backbone, bravery, bravura, daring, dash, dauntlessness, determination, endurance, enterprise, fearlessness, firmness, fortitude, gallantry, gameness, grit, guts, hardihood, heroism, intrepidity, lion-heartedness, mettle, nerve, pluck, power, prowess, pugnacity, rashness, recklessness, resolution, spirit, spunk, stoutheartedness, temerity, tenacity, valor, venturesomeness, élan
Personal Touch: In my opinion, this definition is not entirely correct. I believe fear is an integral part of courage, as courage cannot exist where there is no fear. Additionally more needs to be said about the differences between foolhardy courage and genuine bravery.
Forgive the length, but this post is not intended to be an English lesson, and I am well aware that most of us have a fair handle on what each of these words means. This minor civics lesson is a friendly reminder about how absent these words are from our daily vernacular. Worse still is their absence from our personal life toolboxes. How often do we see these words in genuine action? How many people do we know that regularly exhibit these qualities? How many of us have a list of friends that may describe us using these words?
It is important that these life qualities never be given in any self-description. A large part of the value of these qualitiess is gained by having another person use them to describe someone. When used in self-description not only do the words lose value, but one begins to question the user as well. Adding insult to injury, the user ends up appearing vain in the process, a quality that does not mix well with the others.
To the question at hand: why not? Why aren’t these qualities as sought after as they were in the past? Why aren’t they more regularly exhibited by the people we know that have the opportunity to exhibit them? Has our society changed so much, that these are no longer required? What makes someone with the position, power, and ability; strike these qualities from use? I make many posts here, most about current events, or something that bothers me or moves me to write. I am so moved today, but today is different, because today I have questions. The questions I have require thoughtful input from reasonable people. If you are up to the challenge, feel free to respond with your thoughts. Why?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Florida Fiasco moves north to Staten Island?
There are far too many variables that come into play with paper ballots. They leave way too much room for corruption and disenfranchisement. What is the backup plan? What if they run out of ballots in “certain” places? How will they be transported and who will do the physical counting? Hanging chads, pregnant chads, write overs, stray marks….my head is spinning as I FORESEE visions of Florida. Staten Island is about to make national news again, not for election night violence this time…..
That was my statement, when I discovered we would be using paper ballots, now here is my personal experience.
I worked the night shift Monday, so I went to the polls as I returned from the city. As I approached the table, a middle-aged African American woman had just placed her ballot in the box, and had a broad smile on her face. That smile turned to fear as she read a poster of the proper instructions for filling out the ballot. She turned to the worker and stated, I put a circle around the candidate, thats what you told me to do, but it says here to fill in the box. The worker replied that it would be “ok”, and that her vote will be counted. She asked if she could have it back, or do it over, but the poll worker insisted it would be ok. As visions of High school days, and military days, where filling in scan forms was a recurring event, I remembered how many times people had to ask for another one. Just because they couldn’t seem to follow simple instructions. At that time, it was my thought that the voter goofed, and to be honest, was about to get what she deserved. I voted, properly of course, and went on about my day, supporting the candidate I just cast a vote for. I called my wife to tell her the story, and to remind her to fill out the ballot properly for whoever she was going to vote for, as if I didn’t know (wink), she laughed at me of course…she thinks she is smarter than I am. As the day progressed, I accompanied her to vote, somebody had to stay with the kids, in the car. She came out with THAT look on her face. She was mad as…well you know. She told me the same poll worker gave her the SAME INSTRUCTION, and it was now some 5 hours later, and countless voters (ok maybe not countless) have passed through this same table with this same worker and the same faulty information. My wife admonished the woman immediately. She insisted that she tell people the correct information, and that it was important for people to vote correctly. From my perspective, it is impossible to know whether those ballots were counted or not, but for a ONE DAY event, uyou would think that the BOE would give them a script of what to say, and that the workers wouldn’t make up their own rules as they go along.
That was my statement, when I discovered we would be using paper ballots, now here is my personal experience.
I worked the night shift Monday, so I went to the polls as I returned from the city. As I approached the table, a middle-aged African American woman had just placed her ballot in the box, and had a broad smile on her face. That smile turned to fear as she read a poster of the proper instructions for filling out the ballot. She turned to the worker and stated, I put a circle around the candidate, thats what you told me to do, but it says here to fill in the box. The worker replied that it would be “ok”, and that her vote will be counted. She asked if she could have it back, or do it over, but the poll worker insisted it would be ok. As visions of High school days, and military days, where filling in scan forms was a recurring event, I remembered how many times people had to ask for another one. Just because they couldn’t seem to follow simple instructions. At that time, it was my thought that the voter goofed, and to be honest, was about to get what she deserved. I voted, properly of course, and went on about my day, supporting the candidate I just cast a vote for. I called my wife to tell her the story, and to remind her to fill out the ballot properly for whoever she was going to vote for, as if I didn’t know (wink), she laughed at me of course…she thinks she is smarter than I am. As the day progressed, I accompanied her to vote, somebody had to stay with the kids, in the car. She came out with THAT look on her face. She was mad as…well you know. She told me the same poll worker gave her the SAME INSTRUCTION, and it was now some 5 hours later, and countless voters (ok maybe not countless) have passed through this same table with this same worker and the same faulty information. My wife admonished the woman immediately. She insisted that she tell people the correct information, and that it was important for people to vote correctly. From my perspective, it is impossible to know whether those ballots were counted or not, but for a ONE DAY event, uyou would think that the BOE would give them a script of what to say, and that the workers wouldn’t make up their own rules as they go along.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Do they think we’ve forgot?
Republicans of late have been breaking their necks to let everyone know what a terrible thing it is to spend the people’s money. They pretend to be worried about our standing in the world and our vulnerability to terror attacks. They are slowly remembering words like standards, patriotism, and values. If we lived in the forest for the last decade, one might be easily led to think that these have always been the good guys. We were there, and we remember.
We remember the Democrats being pressured into voting for the war. They believed the intelligence that the President allowed to be published. It painted an evil picture, and some Democrats were duped.
We remember the seemingly endless search for WMDs that never materialized. Cutaway views of portable chemical manufacturing trucks. Then the sorry explanation that while the entire country was locked down that Saddam somehow managed to sneak them out.
We remember saying no to bills that the President and his in control henchman pushed through anyway.
We remember begging and not understanding what the difficulty was to outfit a Humvee with armor, only to find out later that the Humvee should not have been sent in the first place.
We remember the promise of a quick war that would instantly break the resolve of the enemy, that the people would greet us as liberators.
We remember reflections on internment camps (GITMO), young inexperienced soldiers left unsupervised to torture and humiliate prisoners. (Abu Ghrabe)
We remember a lackadaisical attitude as thousands languished and died in New Orleans.
We remember how Oil contracts in Iraq were resolved before the effects of Katrina are fixed.
We remember how the opportunities to regulate the banking industry came and went.
We remember how you misled the country, how you let Bin Laden go, how you wasted this country’s resources.
We remember how you shredded the constitution, habeas corpus, and invaded the privacy of American citizens.
We remember, but here is what we will do about it; we forgive you, now lets work together. Work together because what is at stake today is so much more important than what has happened in the past.
We remember the Democrats being pressured into voting for the war. They believed the intelligence that the President allowed to be published. It painted an evil picture, and some Democrats were duped.
We remember the seemingly endless search for WMDs that never materialized. Cutaway views of portable chemical manufacturing trucks. Then the sorry explanation that while the entire country was locked down that Saddam somehow managed to sneak them out.
We remember saying no to bills that the President and his in control henchman pushed through anyway.
We remember begging and not understanding what the difficulty was to outfit a Humvee with armor, only to find out later that the Humvee should not have been sent in the first place.
We remember the promise of a quick war that would instantly break the resolve of the enemy, that the people would greet us as liberators.
We remember reflections on internment camps (GITMO), young inexperienced soldiers left unsupervised to torture and humiliate prisoners. (Abu Ghrabe)
We remember a lackadaisical attitude as thousands languished and died in New Orleans.
We remember how Oil contracts in Iraq were resolved before the effects of Katrina are fixed.
We remember how the opportunities to regulate the banking industry came and went.
We remember how you misled the country, how you let Bin Laden go, how you wasted this country’s resources.
We remember how you shredded the constitution, habeas corpus, and invaded the privacy of American citizens.
We remember, but here is what we will do about it; we forgive you, now lets work together. Work together because what is at stake today is so much more important than what has happened in the past.
Monday, February 9, 2009
$1,000,000 Challenge
Its relatively simple. Gather all the ingredients necessary to bake a cake, mix the batter and pour into a pan. Bake accordingly...and now the challenge...extract the two eggs you used to make the cake.
This impossibility is significant with regard to the upcoming election. On February 25th, campaign offices will close, consoling words will be passed around, and congratulatory/concession phone calls will be made. But throughout this process, during this cycle, feelings have been hurt, trusts have been torn, relationships have been damaged, households have been split (politically)...eggs have been broken, and there is no way possible to put the egg back in the shell.
Now in an ideal world, these transgressions would be carelessly forgiven as a part of the political process and things will return to the way they were, but we don't live in an ideal world. We live in a world where people have short memories, where bitterness is held on to longer than grandma's luggage, where payback is a...well you know. But the losers will not be the candidates that didn't make the cut, the losers will be the programs associated with their names. You might think that people would put high quality programs ahead of petty differences, but expect to see that programs associated with the losing side to suffer as a result of campaign passion.
My second challenge carries no prize. If you are the elected, forgive and move on beginning February 25th. Be the bigger person, show that you are more than the names you were called on a blog, or the person who was maligned during a forum. Actually there is a prize here as well. It is honor, a word seldom used anymore in the civilian world, and a word long overdue for greater use on Staten Island
This impossibility is significant with regard to the upcoming election. On February 25th, campaign offices will close, consoling words will be passed around, and congratulatory/concession phone calls will be made. But throughout this process, during this cycle, feelings have been hurt, trusts have been torn, relationships have been damaged, households have been split (politically)...eggs have been broken, and there is no way possible to put the egg back in the shell.
Now in an ideal world, these transgressions would be carelessly forgiven as a part of the political process and things will return to the way they were, but we don't live in an ideal world. We live in a world where people have short memories, where bitterness is held on to longer than grandma's luggage, where payback is a...well you know. But the losers will not be the candidates that didn't make the cut, the losers will be the programs associated with their names. You might think that people would put high quality programs ahead of petty differences, but expect to see that programs associated with the losing side to suffer as a result of campaign passion.
My second challenge carries no prize. If you are the elected, forgive and move on beginning February 25th. Be the bigger person, show that you are more than the names you were called on a blog, or the person who was maligned during a forum. Actually there is a prize here as well. It is honor, a word seldom used anymore in the civilian world, and a word long overdue for greater use on Staten Island
Friday, February 6, 2009
What was he thinking?
Staten Island Election Night beating victim arrested for allegedly stealing car
by Staten Island Advance Thursday February 05, 2009, 10:56 AM
Staten Island Advance/Michael Oates
Ali Kamara is led out of the 120th Precinct stationhouse this morning.
While Mr. Kamara's attack was the catalyst that launched the investigation into the Rosebank Krew, there are still other victims. Victims that would not have seen justice if not for Mr. Kamara.
We owe our thanks to him for that, and there will be no releasing of anyone...even if you vacate the assault charges against Kamara, there are still other victims.
Mr. kamara is deserving of the full weight of justice as well. If (when) he is found guilty, he should be given a sentence that is commensurate with the crime he committed and any previous criminal record he might have. He has seriously damaged any civil case he was considering ONLY because the jury will have less sympathy for him when considering any award. He does however still have a case, and with the guilty pleas, its a lock.
The racial insensitivity being displayed here is the same problem that started this entire ball rolling. It is the latest reason that Staten Island's NATIONAL name is forever linked with racial violence specifically associated with the election. Think people, think about what you say in front of your children, think about how your narrow views are no longer in line with the way the rest of the country is going. I live here, I love it here, and some people are turning what I love into a cesspool of hatred and intolerance. If you don't like other types of people from different walks of life- LEAVE! Staten Island will be better for your absence.
by Staten Island Advance Thursday February 05, 2009, 10:56 AM
Staten Island Advance/Michael Oates
Ali Kamara is led out of the 120th Precinct stationhouse this morning.
While Mr. Kamara's attack was the catalyst that launched the investigation into the Rosebank Krew, there are still other victims. Victims that would not have seen justice if not for Mr. Kamara.
We owe our thanks to him for that, and there will be no releasing of anyone...even if you vacate the assault charges against Kamara, there are still other victims.
Mr. kamara is deserving of the full weight of justice as well. If (when) he is found guilty, he should be given a sentence that is commensurate with the crime he committed and any previous criminal record he might have. He has seriously damaged any civil case he was considering ONLY because the jury will have less sympathy for him when considering any award. He does however still have a case, and with the guilty pleas, its a lock.
The racial insensitivity being displayed here is the same problem that started this entire ball rolling. It is the latest reason that Staten Island's NATIONAL name is forever linked with racial violence specifically associated with the election. Think people, think about what you say in front of your children, think about how your narrow views are no longer in line with the way the rest of the country is going. I live here, I love it here, and some people are turning what I love into a cesspool of hatred and intolerance. If you don't like other types of people from different walks of life- LEAVE! Staten Island will be better for your absence.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
How did he get here from there?
Tony Baker’s quest for the North Shore City council seat is a natural extension of not only his religious beliefs, but his passion for community as well. Since coming to the Island, he has been an advocate for fairness and a voice for the voiceless. His 20 years of military experience (Sergeant, 1st Class US Army), 30 years of marriage (of course to one woman), 29 years of fatherhood, 12 years as Pastor of St. Phillips, and 8 years teaching in Port Richmond High School, represent just the tip of the man who is Tony Baker. Unlike some of his contemporaries, he is certainly a man of action, far more substance than flash.
Not long after meeting him some five years ago, my initial impression proved true; he is a man who believes in what he says. Who does what he says he will do, and is a living example of what a man today should be. I have seen him stand up for the rights of others, put his own needs aside to help someone, and deal firmly and fairly with those at odds. His leadership has inspired others to do more.
Tony Baker has been a supporter of the existing Staten Island Democratic hierarchy, he supported them personally, as well as giving them all the opportunity to address the congregation with their views, and their plans. These include Matt Titone, C. Virginia Fields, Mike McMahon, Steve Harrison, Diane Savino, and even a surprise visit by Hillary Clinton. As supportive as he has been, when it came time to replace the outgoing Councilman, a man he considered his friend, he was asked not to run. Luckily that did not dissuade him. With the support of some of the democratic party, he has forged ahead, He was the first to put up a website (www.baker09.com) even before McMahon won the election, the first to officially announce his candidacy….but this isn’t a race of just firsts. This will be a race of who can get their supporters to the polls on February 24th (the Farmer’s Almanac says snowy, then turning milder for that week). Tony has enlisted the support of a variety of people from many walks, professionals, retirees, homemakers, some congregants, young and old, but all dedicated to sending Tony to the city council to be their voice.
Tony has been integral in bringing together Hispanic immigrants and African-Americans in the Port Richmond area to initiate a dialogue that continues today. That dialogue has reduced racial insensitivity and violence in the area. He helped ensure that residents of the former Markham Gardens get the right to return to the newly built homes that have replaced the public housing. As a member of the Board of Richmond University Medical Center, he has unique insight into the health care needs of Staten Island, a fight he vows to win. Tony Baker has worked closely with the District Attorney on anti-crime initiatives including most recently the most successful gun buy-back program New York City has ever had. These are just a small sample of his extensive accomplishments.
I support Tony Baker, not because of his race, not because of his religious beliefs, but because I believe he is truly prepared to lead and ready to serve. Staten Island’s North Shore is ready for change, I have lived on the North Shore my entire life in six different
neighborhoods. I have seen many changes in my 44 years, but I anxiously await the next change to take place. Elect Tony Baker for City Council 49th District.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Rarely
Rarely will you find me linking to other sites, but I have to make an exception in this case. I came across this site through the forums on SILIVE.COM and it is somewhat impressive, so I will share it here. Please continue to check my blog as well.
http://boroughvoter.com/
http://boroughvoter.com/
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