As the earth grows colder,
the winds blow faster,
the fire dwindles smaller,
and the rains fall harder,
let the light of the sun
find its way home.
Days of Yule
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A Yule Blessing
As the earth grows colder,
the winds blow faster,
the fire dwindles smaller,
and the rains fall harder,
let the light of the sun
find its way home.
Days of Yule
Monday, December 29, 2008
New York Tithes to Obama
Well, well, well. An interesting list of New Yorker's donating to Oblabla's Coronation, ahh, I mean Inauguration. From the Times Union:
Four days after Christmas, David Paterson sent his wish list to President-elect Barack Obama.
He wants money. Lots of it. In an open letter sent today, Paterson asked for Congress to appropriate $500 billion of direct aid to states, with half of that amount earmarked for social service programs. He also asked for $300 billion to be earmarked for infrastructure projects, of which he and others are fond of boasting that New York has 98 which are "shovel-ready."
This weekend, Senator Chuck Schumer said he thought New York would get $5 billion in extra Medicaid funding. New York is facing a budget gap of about $15 billion this year, and Paterson met with Obama earlier this month in Philadelphia along with other governors to make the case for more aid.The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away or, I'll grease your palm if you grease mine. Same old dance - just a different partner.
- Six members of the Soros family and the Soros Fund, including George Soros, sent $50,000 apiece. A few Rockefellers sent money, including Laurence, of the New York League of Conservation Voters, down for $38,000.
- Banker Howard Millstein and wife Abby Millstein, a lawyer with Constantine Cannon, donated $50,000 each.
- Chairman of The Island Def Jam Music Group Antonio Reid contributed $50,000.
- Jeff Gural, the track and racino operator, sent $25,000 and his father Aaron Gural, who started the Gural family real estate firm, threw in another $50,000.
- Ronald O. Perelman , chairman of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., sent $50,000 and the company lawyer, Barry Schwartz, added $25,000.
- In the Capital Region, Andrea and Timothy Collins, of Ripplewood Holdings, each wrote checks for $50,000, using their Saratoga Springs address.
- And technology and learning consultant Elliott Masie, of Saratoga Springs, sent $10,000.
Four days after Christmas, David Paterson sent his wish list to President-elect Barack Obama.
He wants money. Lots of it. In an open letter sent today, Paterson asked for Congress to appropriate $500 billion of direct aid to states, with half of that amount earmarked for social service programs. He also asked for $300 billion to be earmarked for infrastructure projects, of which he and others are fond of boasting that New York has 98 which are "shovel-ready."
This weekend, Senator Chuck Schumer said he thought New York would get $5 billion in extra Medicaid funding. New York is facing a budget gap of about $15 billion this year, and Paterson met with Obama earlier this month in Philadelphia along with other governors to make the case for more aid.The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away or, I'll grease your palm if you grease mine. Same old dance - just a different partner.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
And So This is Christmas
My life is small town America, with a view of the Mohawk River. It is folksy people, loads of history, close proximity to Cooperstown, Saratoga Springs and the Southern Adirondacks. Or, we can drive to Manhattan in a little over 3.5 hours.
But, there are no jobs here. People don't lock their doors at night and they don't eat arugula. They shovel their own sidewalks, clean their own houses and their kids play high school sports. There are vegetable gardens and homemade wines. Christmas cookie baking parties and a library group for people who love to knit, but there is not a grocery store within 10 miles. Taxes are high and homes aren't selling. It's small town Norman Rockwell America at its best and at its worst.
I was born here, my parents still live here and two of my three sisters are within 9 miles of my house. It's a small community of less than 2000 residents with a large elderly population. Our kids graduate from college and only return home to visit.
So, it was with mind boggling soberness to learn that Bernard Madoff has affected our lives. On Christmas Eve, my retired construction worker husband had a visit from his former boss, who presently sits on the Board of Trustees for the Pension Fund of his Union. He was told that 85% of the Pension Fund and 20% of his annuity had been invested with Madoff. The money is gone, the fund has fallen into Critical Status, a meeting is being planned for sometime in the future to discuss what has happened, how it impacts members and what efforts will be undertaken to address all of the above. The Board has requested that State Police be present at the meeting, as it is expected that the Union workers will not take kindly to the fact that such a high percentage of their hard earned money was invested in something so speculative as a hedge fund. Benefits will be cut, workers who have not yet retired will have to work much longer to accrue retirement credits, monies deducted from paychecks for the Fund will have to be increased sharply, disability, supplemental death benefits and early retirement subsidies will be reduced or eliminated in an effort to restore the Pension Plan.
It is hard to grasp that the man responsible for security fraud that has affected so many people throughout the world is on "house arrest" in his luxurious apartment, enjoying the same freedom as you and I. He has reached into to hundreds of thousands of lives and ripped out their best laid plans. It is too late to do anything about the 50 billion dollars of investor assets he has stolen, but it is not too late to remind us how greed can ruin lives.
But, there are no jobs here. People don't lock their doors at night and they don't eat arugula. They shovel their own sidewalks, clean their own houses and their kids play high school sports. There are vegetable gardens and homemade wines. Christmas cookie baking parties and a library group for people who love to knit, but there is not a grocery store within 10 miles. Taxes are high and homes aren't selling. It's small town Norman Rockwell America at its best and at its worst.
I was born here, my parents still live here and two of my three sisters are within 9 miles of my house. It's a small community of less than 2000 residents with a large elderly population. Our kids graduate from college and only return home to visit.
So, it was with mind boggling soberness to learn that Bernard Madoff has affected our lives. On Christmas Eve, my retired construction worker husband had a visit from his former boss, who presently sits on the Board of Trustees for the Pension Fund of his Union. He was told that 85% of the Pension Fund and 20% of his annuity had been invested with Madoff. The money is gone, the fund has fallen into Critical Status, a meeting is being planned for sometime in the future to discuss what has happened, how it impacts members and what efforts will be undertaken to address all of the above. The Board has requested that State Police be present at the meeting, as it is expected that the Union workers will not take kindly to the fact that such a high percentage of their hard earned money was invested in something so speculative as a hedge fund. Benefits will be cut, workers who have not yet retired will have to work much longer to accrue retirement credits, monies deducted from paychecks for the Fund will have to be increased sharply, disability, supplemental death benefits and early retirement subsidies will be reduced or eliminated in an effort to restore the Pension Plan.
It is hard to grasp that the man responsible for security fraud that has affected so many people throughout the world is on "house arrest" in his luxurious apartment, enjoying the same freedom as you and I. He has reached into to hundreds of thousands of lives and ripped out their best laid plans. It is too late to do anything about the 50 billion dollars of investor assets he has stolen, but it is not too late to remind us how greed can ruin lives.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Not Rape
A riveting essay by Latoya at Racialicious Read it and pass it on to your Sisters and ask them to pass it on. It is that important
This is how the Not Rape epidemic spreads - through fear and silence, which become complicit in perpetuating the behaviors described here. Women of all backgrounds are affected by these kinds of acts, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social class. So many of us carry the scars of the past with us into our daily lives. Most of us have pushed these stories to the back of our minds, trying to have some semblance of a normal life that includes romantic and sexual relationships. However, waiting just behind the tongue is story after story of the horrors other women experience and hide deep within the self behind a protective wall of silence.
This is how the Not Rape epidemic spreads - through fear and silence, which become complicit in perpetuating the behaviors described here. Women of all backgrounds are affected by these kinds of acts, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social class. So many of us carry the scars of the past with us into our daily lives. Most of us have pushed these stories to the back of our minds, trying to have some semblance of a normal life that includes romantic and sexual relationships. However, waiting just behind the tongue is story after story of the horrors other women experience and hide deep within the self behind a protective wall of silence.
Paterson's Budget
From David Sirota - Based on his interview last night with Bill Moyers on PBS, it's fair to conclude that New York Gov. David Paterson (D), who wants to raise taxes on working class people and shield the super wealthy from any income tax increase, is either lying or grossly uninformed.
When New Jersey instituted a higher income tax in 2004, researchers found that most people who move away from New Jersey move to states that impose higher income taxes - thus crushing claims of some sort of "automatic link" between people moving away from states and a state moving to slightly raise its income tax rates on the very wealthy.
Likewise, when New York instituted a temporary - and tiny - increase in high-income tax rates after 9/11, the researchers found the state added jobs, and found that the 15 states that have higher income taxes on the wealthy also added jobs - thus destroying Paterson's argument of an "automatic link" between slightly higher taxes on the very wealthy and job loss.
As for Paterson's claim that New Yorkers just love taxing the super-rich, the study found that over the last 30 years, New York has cut its top personal income tax rate on the wealthy by half (15.375% to 6.85%).
When New Jersey instituted a higher income tax in 2004, researchers found that most people who move away from New Jersey move to states that impose higher income taxes - thus crushing claims of some sort of "automatic link" between people moving away from states and a state moving to slightly raise its income tax rates on the very wealthy.
Likewise, when New York instituted a temporary - and tiny - increase in high-income tax rates after 9/11, the researchers found the state added jobs, and found that the 15 states that have higher income taxes on the wealthy also added jobs - thus destroying Paterson's argument of an "automatic link" between slightly higher taxes on the very wealthy and job loss.
As for Paterson's claim that New Yorkers just love taxing the super-rich, the study found that over the last 30 years, New York has cut its top personal income tax rate on the wealthy by half (15.375% to 6.85%).
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Winter Solstice
Mother earth, we feel your heart beat
Mother earth, bless this day
Turning wheel, with your life force
The Winter Solstice has come our way
Winter Solstice, shaft of light
Signifies the shortest day
Turning wheel, the coldest season
Has sprinkled snowflakes of a silver grey
Snowflakes dancing in the wind of change
Inspires within me the dreams of hope
The Winter Solstice is a magical day
Colorful visions in the kaleidoscope
Mother earth, we feel your heart beat
Mother earth, bless this day
Turning wheel, with your life force
The Winter Solstice has come our way
Alywn
Ancient Origins from Candlegrove
Blessed be.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
What You Don't Know About Caroline Kennedy
A very interesting read via debtov at The Albany Project, concerning Wayne Barrett's excellent article at the Village Voice involving the political connection between Kennedy and Mayor Bloomberg. The Barrett article details so many characters and alliances, it reads like a Mafia Don novel and contains some very interesting information about Caroline's padded resume.
The most tawdry part of the Bloomberg cheerleading, however, has been the exaggeration of the Kennedy resume. Aside from Caroline's books--some of which have been collections of her mother's favorite poems and other people's essays--the only significant career accomplishment is the two months she worked part-time at Bloomberg's Department of Education. Volunteering, like the mayor, for a dollar a year, she is said to have worked three days a week fundraising for city schools. But what few seem to have noticed is that Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein announced her appointment in October 2002, Klein said it would become a fulltime position in 2003, but it never did. When she left halfway through 2004, education reporter David Herszenhorn from the Times wrote:
"But while Ms. Kennedy generated excitement among donors and often met personally with them, several school officials and acquaintances said she was never entirely comfortable within the bureaucracy of the nation's largest school system. For months after she started, even some high-level education officials said they were not quite sure what she did. In an interview about eight months into her tenure, she would not say how often she worked at the department headquarters or how many hours she spent on the job, saying only, 'I put in as much time as I can.'"
The most tawdry part of the Bloomberg cheerleading, however, has been the exaggeration of the Kennedy resume. Aside from Caroline's books--some of which have been collections of her mother's favorite poems and other people's essays--the only significant career accomplishment is the two months she worked part-time at Bloomberg's Department of Education. Volunteering, like the mayor, for a dollar a year, she is said to have worked three days a week fundraising for city schools. But what few seem to have noticed is that Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein announced her appointment in October 2002, Klein said it would become a fulltime position in 2003, but it never did. When she left halfway through 2004, education reporter David Herszenhorn from the Times wrote:
"But while Ms. Kennedy generated excitement among donors and often met personally with them, several school officials and acquaintances said she was never entirely comfortable within the bureaucracy of the nation's largest school system. For months after she started, even some high-level education officials said they were not quite sure what she did. In an interview about eight months into her tenure, she would not say how often she worked at the department headquarters or how many hours she spent on the job, saying only, 'I put in as much time as I can.'"
The Photo, updated December 21st
I'm going update this post as articles are available to make sure it stays fresh in your mind. Kennedy-Schlossberg political aspirations and corrupt Chicago politicians have a way of upstaging the shoddy treatment of women. So, I'll leave it sitting here until the misogyny is addressed by The One that brought us Jon "Just a Kid" Favreau.
UPDATED LINKS:
From Rabble Rouser Amy - Totally Synced Up
Klownhaus - Is it just me?
He brought the cutout of Hillary to his parent's house for a party?
Another Redstar - Fav's Style
Lingual Tremors: Groping women, while drinking beer
Angry Scientist - Conversation with the President - Gropergate
Ms Placed Democrat - And the hits just keep on coming
Jane Q - Obama and Media: Silent or Dismissive?
Jon Favreau needs to be fired from RKMK
How the Media Makes Light of Gropergate
Camel's Nose - What would Arabs think?
Third Estate Sunday Review
Historiann
I'm gonna buy me a paper doll from NYCweboy with a h/t to Redstar
Another from Redstar - Cardboard
Octogalore
falstaff
Joanna The Maid
Women's Space, which led me to this article by Catharine MacKinnon
Fire Jon Favreau
Write Jon Favreau's Apology Speech
Misogny, knowing right from wrong
California NOW
Charlotte Front and Center
inappropriate
Hillgropegate
Hideous sexism or party prank
Obama's Message to Women: The New Agenda
Heather Gold
Lambert
Puma Responders: Special resources from 1950 Dem0crat has a plethora of information.
Murphy's Gropergate Day 6
Alegre's Accountability Begins at Home with a phone number and an email address to let Obama's team know how you feel about their failure to respond.
Is firing Jon Favreau the right answer from The New Agenda
It's the System, Stupid from Violet
If you run across any related posts or if you have one up yourself, please leave the address in comments and I will link it here.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
And The Beat Goes On
Via Feminist Law Professors
Here's another sign of the tough economic times: Some clinics are reporting a surge in the number of women applying to donate eggs or serve as surrogate mothers for infertile couples.Ova Time: Women Line Up To Donate Eggs -- for Money
The going rate for a surrogate is about $25,000. Egg donors generally receive $3,000 to $8,000. But a few agencies advertise that they'll pay much more for specific characteristics. One ad running in campus newspapers promises $25,000 for a donor who is "100% Jewish with ... High SAT Scores... Attractive, at Healthy Body Weight and Free of Genetic Diseases."
Truth and Consequences
Anna Belle has a post up about negativity over at Peacocks & Lillies which really resonated with me.
After eight years of Bush&Co., a horrible primary season filled with backstabbing, misogyny, DNC machinations and false claims of Clinton racism, capped off with a sham vote at the convention, I crave some good news.
But, it's Day 14 and there is no word from the Obama camp concerning any repercussions to precious speechwriter Jon Favreau. And if it hasn't happened by now, it won't happen at all.
Obama's cabinet appears to be unbalanced with many more men than women and he has now chosen a sexist preacher for his Inauguration.
The economy is in the tank due to the "look the other way" or the "do for me" attitude of the Congress, protecting their turf and lining their pockets. The former head of the NASDAQ has fleeced all kinds of charities and and private citizens. My Christmas has never been extravagant, but this year I've had to cut back even more.
Caroline Kennedy is staking her claim to Hillary's senate seat. I don't even know what issues she supports. She's campaigning upstate and word on the street is that if Gov. Paterson doesn't give her the seat, Ted Kennedy will instruct his friends in high places to pull their support and their campaign contributions to Gov. Paterson's re-election. Rock and a hard place. If Gov. Paterson doesn't hand it over to Kennedy, he will be MY person of the year and a very bright spot on an otherwise dismal horizon.
And to cap it off, the MSM is blaming the critics of Caroline Kennedy on Hillary. Listen up, dudes. I supported Hillary Clinton for president, believe she was best suited to the office and saw her robbed of the election. However, that has nothing whatsoever to do with my views on the NY Senate seat. I'm a New Yorker, a former Democrat who has worked in government, but am now unaffiliated with any party. I want my politicians to be experienced and I want to know where they stand. I am sick and tired of being stuck with leaders who have to surround themselves with other people to show them how it's done because they have little to no background in governing.
Bah humbug.
After eight years of Bush&Co., a horrible primary season filled with backstabbing, misogyny, DNC machinations and false claims of Clinton racism, capped off with a sham vote at the convention, I crave some good news.
But, it's Day 14 and there is no word from the Obama camp concerning any repercussions to precious speechwriter Jon Favreau. And if it hasn't happened by now, it won't happen at all.
Obama's cabinet appears to be unbalanced with many more men than women and he has now chosen a sexist preacher for his Inauguration.
The economy is in the tank due to the "look the other way" or the "do for me" attitude of the Congress, protecting their turf and lining their pockets. The former head of the NASDAQ has fleeced all kinds of charities and and private citizens. My Christmas has never been extravagant, but this year I've had to cut back even more.
Caroline Kennedy is staking her claim to Hillary's senate seat. I don't even know what issues she supports. She's campaigning upstate and word on the street is that if Gov. Paterson doesn't give her the seat, Ted Kennedy will instruct his friends in high places to pull their support and their campaign contributions to Gov. Paterson's re-election. Rock and a hard place. If Gov. Paterson doesn't hand it over to Kennedy, he will be MY person of the year and a very bright spot on an otherwise dismal horizon.
And to cap it off, the MSM is blaming the critics of Caroline Kennedy on Hillary. Listen up, dudes. I supported Hillary Clinton for president, believe she was best suited to the office and saw her robbed of the election. However, that has nothing whatsoever to do with my views on the NY Senate seat. I'm a New Yorker, a former Democrat who has worked in government, but am now unaffiliated with any party. I want my politicians to be experienced and I want to know where they stand. I am sick and tired of being stuck with leaders who have to surround themselves with other people to show them how it's done because they have little to no background in governing.
Bah humbug.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Caroline Kennedy Hires a Pro
Nick Confessore just reported that Caroline Kennedy will openly seek the Clinton seat, and that she too has hired political professionals to help her effort.
A knowledgeable source I spoke to confirmed that she will campaign for the seat and that she has hired Josh Isay's consulting firm, Knickerbocker SKD, to help. Here. And more Here
A knowledgeable source I spoke to confirmed that she will campaign for the seat and that she has hired Josh Isay's consulting firm, Knickerbocker SKD, to help. Here. And more Here
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Sunday, December 07, 2008
The Photo
WITH UPDATES BELOW:
By now you've seen it, read it, heard it on the news and have moved on to the next news cycle. Here is why that's wrong. Sexism is not a story and it's not something that can be forgiven. It is racism, bigotry, oppression and hatred all wrapped up in one big fat F**k You if you happen to be a female. Get over it, girls. It was just "bad judgment".
The life size photo of Hillary didn't just appear in that room. It was brought there with the intention to demean her. Let your mind wander about what would happen if the roles were reversed - if that was an Obama photo with a bunch of anti-Obama women. Or if it was a life size likeness of Obama's wife. Imagine that.
Riverdaughter's post is excellent. She writes about the woman in the photo:
Sorry, Professor, I don't agree. I will never develop "coping skills" to handle unjust behavior. Women and men are entitled to respect. Ignoring inappropriate behavior won't make it stop. It's like rewarding your child when she acts up. Contrary to your view that this guy is just a kid (as in boys will be boys, wink wink), he crossed the line and that is more than just bad judgment. If Mr. Favreau isn't held to the high standards that his employment in the Obama administration demands, it hurts all of us. He was way over the line and he should be dismissed. If he isn't, it shows exactly what we can expect in the future from the Obama administration.
Feminism isn't a gender based exclusive female club. When men demand respect and equal rights for women, it enriches all of us. I know many men who call themselves feminists. I know that they will stand up with me and for me. Until the rest of society understands this, we will continue to have these conversations.
UPDATE: Read Heidi's post
The Grope Here
UPDATE II: The Groper Must Go by swedescott, via Heidi Li
UPDATE III: PUMA Action Alert
By now you've seen it, read it, heard it on the news and have moved on to the next news cycle. Here is why that's wrong. Sexism is not a story and it's not something that can be forgiven. It is racism, bigotry, oppression and hatred all wrapped up in one big fat F**k You if you happen to be a female. Get over it, girls. It was just "bad judgment".
The life size photo of Hillary didn't just appear in that room. It was brought there with the intention to demean her. Let your mind wander about what would happen if the roles were reversed - if that was an Obama photo with a bunch of anti-Obama women. Or if it was a life size likeness of Obama's wife. Imagine that.
Riverdaughter's post is excellent. She writes about the woman in the photo:
Who is this woman hanging out with these swine? And what does she possibly see in an Obama administration if it is being run by creeps like this? How long will it be before they move from groping and humping a cardboard cutout to treating her like she’s just a stupid c&*t and a low level gofer? And did her beer buzzed induced transcendence get the better of her? Did she end up in bed with one of them? He’s full of Obama empowered mojo and she’s basking in the reflected radiance of the Lightbringer ‘cos he’s going to change it all!Conversely, Dissenting Justice just doesn't get it. Although he takes Campbell Brown to task, he believes this is a "feminist" issue. This is his response to my comment that the photo did indeed exhibit sexist behavior: DJF - I still believe that feminists could debate the matter. They are even split on whether "prostitution" (or sex work) is sexist, so I imagine this picture could receive similar treatment. Here is more from his post:
Finally, even if the picture is sexist, this does not mean that Clinton (or other women) have to respond to it the same way they would respond to other acts of sexism. People who face discrimination often develop a set of "coping skills" to deal with the situation without always mounting an explicit protest. Typically, when people encounter discrimination, they want to diffuse the situation and move on from the moment. During the primaries, for example, Clinton often ignored sexism and just kept campaigning.
Victims of discrimination learn to prioritize the battles they fight. It was very important for Clinton to challenge men in the media and Democratic Party leadership who failed to appreciate the significance of a potential woman president and who acted with blatant sexism in their treatment of her. Their power and influence potentially inflicted harm upon all women and was offensive to all persons who want a society that takes women politicians seriously. Although the "iron our shirts" neanderthals probably lacked power relative to Clinton, they shouted at her during a critical town-hall meeting. Her witty response was tailored to the situation.
This picture, by contrast, essentially involves a kid, far junior to her in the administration, behaving inappropriately. Given Favreau's relative lack of power over Clinton, he is probably crawling to her in order to apologize. They can simply deal with this matter on a personal level without heightening the situation through public verbal exchanges which the media would spin into an unseemly circus.
Sorry, Professor, I don't agree. I will never develop "coping skills" to handle unjust behavior. Women and men are entitled to respect. Ignoring inappropriate behavior won't make it stop. It's like rewarding your child when she acts up. Contrary to your view that this guy is just a kid (as in boys will be boys, wink wink), he crossed the line and that is more than just bad judgment. If Mr. Favreau isn't held to the high standards that his employment in the Obama administration demands, it hurts all of us. He was way over the line and he should be dismissed. If he isn't, it shows exactly what we can expect in the future from the Obama administration.
Feminism isn't a gender based exclusive female club. When men demand respect and equal rights for women, it enriches all of us. I know many men who call themselves feminists. I know that they will stand up with me and for me. Until the rest of society understands this, we will continue to have these conversations.
UPDATE: Read Heidi's post
The Grope Here
UPDATE II: The Groper Must Go by swedescott, via Heidi Li
UPDATE III: PUMA Action Alert
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Sign the Petition - Hillary's Senate Seat
From PUMA ellurian at Hillary Unleashed, a petition for Hillary's Senate seat. NOTE: After you sign the petition, you will be directed to a site asking for a donation. You do not have to donate to participate. Once you sign and click, you are listed. We need a qualified woman like Carolyn Maloney to fill this seat. I, for one, am not interested in someone with no previous experience. NY needs adequate representation and not someone who needs on the job training (we have enough people in Gov't who have no previous experience). The best candidate is a qualified woman. ellurian's comments and the link are below:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We need someone QUALIFIED. Like Carolyn Maloney or another woman who has “paid her dues”.
We are hoping to have at least 500 signatures by next week to present a 1st run to Gov. Paterson.
All, though this is mainly a New York issue, it is also a national issue as it determines the makeup of the Senate. Please read and if you agree, sign the below petition regarding Hillary’s replacement in the Senate. The link to the petition is here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/clintonwoman/
Wording of petition:
Dear Governor Paterson,
Women are vastly underrepresented in the Senate. Although women comprise 52% of America’s population, women only comprise 17% of the Senate’s population. When Senator Clinton vacates her seat, that shamefully small percentage will shrink even further…unless you choose another woman to replace her.
As you are aware, there are a great number of qualified women who could become the next Junior Senator from New York. At the top of my list is Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who has represented New York’s 14th District with great vigor and distinction since 1992.
Please do not harm the cause of the advancement of women by putting a man in Hillary Clinton’s seat.
Thank you.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Feminist Majority PAC and NOW PAC Endorse Carolyn Maloney for NY Senate Seat
Fabulous news Here!
The Feminist Majority Political Action Committee and the National Organization for Women (NOW) Political Action Committee announced their endorsement of New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney for appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Thursday. Clinton (D-NY), is currently one of just 16 women serving in the Senate.
Congresswoman Maloney has served in Congress for 16 years and has also served as a New York City Councilwoman. She chairs the Joint Economic Committee of the House and Senate and the Financial Institutions Subcommittee of the House’s Financial Services Committee. She is also a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Maloney has done key work on feminist issues including family and medical leave, processing of rape kits, reproductive health issues, and working to end gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal commented on the endorsement in a press release:"I have worked with many legislators over the course of several decades. Congresswoman Maloney gets things done whether in the majority or the minority. She is an effective legislator who never takes no for an answer when it comes to fighting for women of the world or the citizens of New York."
The Feminist Majority Political Action Committee and the National Organization for Women (NOW) Political Action Committee announced their endorsement of New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney for appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Thursday. Clinton (D-NY), is currently one of just 16 women serving in the Senate.
Congresswoman Maloney has served in Congress for 16 years and has also served as a New York City Councilwoman. She chairs the Joint Economic Committee of the House and Senate and the Financial Institutions Subcommittee of the House’s Financial Services Committee. She is also a senior member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Maloney has done key work on feminist issues including family and medical leave, processing of rape kits, reproductive health issues, and working to end gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal commented on the endorsement in a press release:"I have worked with many legislators over the course of several decades. Congresswoman Maloney gets things done whether in the majority or the minority. She is an effective legislator who never takes no for an answer when it comes to fighting for women of the world or the citizens of New York."
Chris Matthews Chickens Come Home to Roost
Sooner or later, some of the lewd, idiotic, misogynistic statements and actions had to catch up with him.
From The Hill - Matthews could be haunted by his own words.
From The Hill - Matthews could be haunted by his own words.
A simple YouTube search shows the possible perils of a Chris Matthews Senate candidacy: foul language, inappropriate touching and an offer to duel.
Speculation is growing that the MSNBC talk show host may challenge Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) in 2010. The campaign is “in its infancy,” with a final decision expected early next year, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party told a liberal blog Thursday.
“He’s just talking to people. Conversations are going on, obviously,” Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesman Abe Amoros told TPM Election Central. “We will know whether or not he’s a serious candidate sometime early next year.”
A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Matthews within striking distance of Specter. The Republican is in the lead, but with a narrow 46-43 percent advantage over Matthews. Previous independent polls have shown a close race, though with a wider margin separating the two. The poll, conducted Dec. 2, has a 4.5 percent margin of error.
But a potential problem for Matthews is that his candidacy would be an opposition researcher’s dream. The loud-talking, combative journalist has an 11-year on-air career, another 13 years in the print media, has written six books and has a lengthy Internet Movie Database listing.
All that information could provide Specter and independent groups with ample ammunition to attack the “Hardball” host.
For example, typing his name in the video-sharing website YouTube brings up almost 10,000 results.
Some of the most popular include a 44-second “Chris Matthews Swearing Montage” filled with clips of Matthews swearing on-air.
Then there is the infamous incident with former Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.)
At the 2004 Republican National Convention, Miller addressed the GOP delegates and appeared on “Hardball” afterward. Matthews asked him about his criticism of then-Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.).
The heated exchanged ended with Miller saying: “I wished we lived in the day ... when you could challenge a person to a duel. That would be pretty good.”
This year, in what became a YouTube sensation, there was Matthews’s appearance on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The popular daytime talk show host is known for her love of dancing, and most guests show off a few moves before sitting down.
When Matthews stopped by the show in March 2008, he spun DeGeneres around and ended up grabbing her breast.
“That was best dance ever,” DeGeneres said after they sat down.
“It was a little too physical,” Matthews responded.
But a video that may raise questions about Matthews's support within the Democratic Party is the almost five-minute clip of Matthews apologizing for what he said about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) this election cycle. On Jan. 9, Matthews said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show that Clinton got elected because her husband “messed around.”
“The truth, of course, is finer, smarter, larger than that,” Matthews said in his lengthy apology.
The Clinton campaign often expressed its fury with MSNBC during the presidential race, and critics claimed Matthews did not try to hide his support for then-candidate Barack Obama.
And besides the made-for-TV moments, Matthews has given several noteworthy print interviews, including his participation in an 8,100-word New York Times magazine profile.
The piece noted bloggers have accused Matthews of being sexist, pointing to a YouTube video of him ogling CNBC host Erin Burnett.
Matthews vigorously defended himself to the Times, saying: “I don’t think there’s any evidence of that at all. I’ve gone back and looked. Give me the evidence. No one can give it to me. I went through all my stuff. I can’t find it.”
Also in the profile Matthews pointed out he had 19 honorary degrees, which he expected to add to, and advised the author to call people like Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) for quotes.
Plus, there are plenty of other revealing quotes, such as when Matthews says: “I don’t think people look at me as the establishment, do you? Am I part of the winner’s circle in American life? I don’t think so.”
And it was the Times article that set off the Senate speculation. In it, Matthews said: “I’m a free man starting next June,” which is when his contract with MSNBC is said to be up.
But a lengthy media career doesn’t always translate into electoral disaster. Former “Saturday Night Live” star, radio talk show host and author Al Franken overcame several criticisms of his past life during his Minnesota Senate candidacy, including a racy piece Franken wrote in Playboy. Franken remains in a hotly contested recount with Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.).
On the other hand, a one-minute video can spell ruin for a candidate, particularly in an age in which the opposition sends cameras to record every move. In 2006, Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) called a volunteer for Democratic opponent Jim Webb’s campaign “macaca.”
The video became an Internet and cable-TV sensation, and Allen lost his reelection bid.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Gov. Paterson - Feminist
What a breath of fresh air!
NY gov. outraged no women nominated for top judge
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York Gov. David Paterson said on Wednesday he was "outraged" that no women were nominated to lead the state's Court of Appeals, its highest court, forcing him to choose from seven men recommended by a panel.
Paterson said he believes the state constitution obliges him to pick one of the men nominated by a 12-member panel. But he directed state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to explore options for picking a new chief judge for the appeals court that is considered one of the most influential state courts in the country.
"Because we're citizens of a state in addition to being public servants, we're outraged," Paterson said, adding that the panel's rejection of more than half the population could discourage women.
"What we really wanted to do is just publicly acknowledge ... the disappointing fact that they spanned the globe and couldn't find a woman in New York state that was qualified to serve as the chief judge," he said. Still, he called the seven male nominees highly qualified.
Four women served on the nominating panel, which was created in the late 1970s to reform the highly politicized way judges were chosen.
The current chief judge of Court of Appeals, Judith Kaye, resigns at the end of the year. Three other women serve on the seven-member court, and Paterson, joined by the Democratic attorney general, questioned why none of them was nominated.
Here
NY gov. outraged no women nominated for top judge
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York Gov. David Paterson said on Wednesday he was "outraged" that no women were nominated to lead the state's Court of Appeals, its highest court, forcing him to choose from seven men recommended by a panel.
Paterson said he believes the state constitution obliges him to pick one of the men nominated by a 12-member panel. But he directed state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to explore options for picking a new chief judge for the appeals court that is considered one of the most influential state courts in the country.
"Because we're citizens of a state in addition to being public servants, we're outraged," Paterson said, adding that the panel's rejection of more than half the population could discourage women.
"What we really wanted to do is just publicly acknowledge ... the disappointing fact that they spanned the globe and couldn't find a woman in New York state that was qualified to serve as the chief judge," he said. Still, he called the seven male nominees highly qualified.
Four women served on the nominating panel, which was created in the late 1970s to reform the highly politicized way judges were chosen.
The current chief judge of Court of Appeals, Judith Kaye, resigns at the end of the year. Three other women serve on the seven-member court, and Paterson, joined by the Democratic attorney general, questioned why none of them was nominated.
Here
Monday, December 01, 2008
Senator Clinton's New York Senate Seat
Although as a New Yorker I will be sad to see Hillary leave the Senate, I am thrilled that this brilliant woman will have a opportunity to use her wide array of talents in a position that will benefit all Americans. I wish Senator Clinton well, trust she will fly through the confirmation hearings and know that she will be an outstanding Secretary of State.
I believe that Sen. Clinton's seat should be filled by a woman and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is the logical choice to fill that seat. Representative Maloney has been a tireless champion of issues affecting women and has recently written a book about women in politics entitled Rumors of our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated,wherein she promotes what she calls "the 30% solution". If you haven't read it, run out and get a copy - I highly recommend it.
Another name being bandied about is Representative Kristen Gillibrand, an upstate New Yorker, recently re-elected to her second term in the House. Benjamin Sarlin has an article about possible replacements for Sen. Clinton's seat and how politics will influence who will untimately fill this seat, as does the New York Observer.
Either woman would be a great asset, although I personally prefer Maloney for her vast history and experience with women's issues. That said, one never knows what the future holds, but I am hoping that Gov. Paterson chooses a woman to fill this seat. If you agree, you may want to contact Gov. Paterson here.
I believe that Sen. Clinton's seat should be filled by a woman and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is the logical choice to fill that seat. Representative Maloney has been a tireless champion of issues affecting women and has recently written a book about women in politics entitled Rumors of our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated,wherein she promotes what she calls "the 30% solution". If you haven't read it, run out and get a copy - I highly recommend it.
Another name being bandied about is Representative Kristen Gillibrand, an upstate New Yorker, recently re-elected to her second term in the House. Benjamin Sarlin has an article about possible replacements for Sen. Clinton's seat and how politics will influence who will untimately fill this seat, as does the New York Observer.
Either woman would be a great asset, although I personally prefer Maloney for her vast history and experience with women's issues. That said, one never knows what the future holds, but I am hoping that Gov. Paterson chooses a woman to fill this seat. If you agree, you may want to contact Gov. Paterson here.
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