The Gangs of Albany
To Bruno's (and Albany's) way of thinking, trading on the elective office for big bucks was not a crime because they are top dog in the gang that legalized virtually everything that make time money or brings them power Bruno's Capitol offenses: Former Senate boss is guilty and so is the whole Legislature Bruno is the epitome of a debased political culture that has made Albany a wide-open town for all manner of moneymaking conflicts of interests and double-dealing, short of accepting satchels of cash in the men's room (NYDN)
Stronger Laws are Useless Because Enforcers
Appointed by Pols Protect Pols We need stronger watchdogs that aren't afraid to bite. "The Albany scandals of recent years are rooted in the fact that state watchdogs simply haven't done their jobs. They've refused to take a firm stand on integrity, and been way too cozy with the people they are supposed to be watching. One of the most extraordinary revelations of the Bruno trial is that lawyers for the Legislative Ethics Commission actually advised lawmakers not to send their ethics disclosure filings through the mail, so as to help avoid the possibility of federal mail-fraud charges. Similarly, the state's Public Integrity Commission is controlled by the governor, who appoints the majority of its members, usually from the ranks of friends and former associates. Recent history shows why this doesn't work. The executive director of the commission, a friend of then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer, leaked information on the Troopergate probe to administration officials while it was investigating the administration. Beyond Bruno New York's ethics lapdogs." David Grandeau is the former executive director of the New York State Lobbying Commission.
"The appearance of law must be upheld, especially when it's being broken." Boss Tweed
Dysfunctional Reform Groups Also "Albany said they pass ethics reforms, and just as Charlie Brown trusted Lucy not to pull the football away, government reformers believe them. Of course, she always pulled it away and Charlie always landed on his butt."NYDN Good Government Albany Leaders are clueless and for the most part are friends with too many Albany legislators. They think any reform is good. What they do not understand they act like the valves on your grandmother pressure cooker, when pols get good government support for reforms filled with loop holes public anger decreases. Only with public anger, throw the bums our will anything change. In 2005 Bruno help pass lobbying and ethic reform with the full support of the good government groups. Some people say back in the old days after the good government leader of that time defended the captain of the Titanic. The said the food was good and the music great.
"I don't care a straw for your newspaper articles, my constituents don't know how to read, but they can't help seeing them damned pictures." Boss Tweed *The Audacity of Bruno's Corruption: Editorial Board Outrage Over the Years Leads Nowhere (True News) * Corrupt Bruno gets convicted (NYP) *** Verdict may finally spur ethics law *** Joseph Bruno's secretary: I handled sideline business (Crains) *** Former NY union big testifies about Bruno ties (Crains) *** Bruno, Former State Leader, Guilty of Corruption (NYT) *** Conviction in Joe Bruno corruption case puts scare in the air for Albany pols *** Bruno guilty Jury finds former Senate leader exploited his office; Bruno says he's 'disappointed'*** A look inside the deliberations, when “every day was intense,” according to one juror. (TU) *** Even Bruno supporters agree that the trial has presented reform advocates with much ammunition. (TU) *** The “honest services” statute gets its own day in court — the Supreme one — today. (TU) *** “In my mind an in my heart, it’s not over til it’s over,” Bruno said. (NY Public Radio) *** The verdict brings Bruno and Eliot Spitzer together again, joining Alan Hevesi on the statewide officials roll call of shame. (DN) *** Larry Littlefield says it's our generation's equivalent of nailing Al Capone for income tax evastion *** Joe Bruno, Eliot Spitzer and Alan Hevesi all part of club of disgraced Albany pols * Sen. Efrain Gonzalez (D-Bronx) * Clarence Norman * Diane Gordon * Guy Velella*** The jury forewoman said it was "very hard" to convict Bruno when he has "done so much for the area." * Joe Bruno Gets His, But Does It Matter? (Huff Post)***Jurors: Guilty Joe Bruno is an 'Honorable Man'(Robbins Village Voice) *** Ex-Sen. Leader Bruno Quits Job After Trial *** Bruno's pension secure, despite corruption convictionsPolitics on the Hudson
He Took Big Bucks To Get State Deals For Those Who Paid (Henry J. Stern) The news from Albany is important. At best, it is a harbinger of the collapse of the regime of greed. At worst, it will make the plotters more careful in their schemes and scare off some of them. . . We cannot help but wonder as to where were all the state investigative agencies during Brunos reign? Or Eliot Spitzers? Or Alan Hevesis? Why did it require the US Attorney? And why wasnt the case brought to trial during the Bush years, or under Attorney General Alberto Gonzales? Just asking.
More Pay to Play Albany The state Commission on Public Integrity issues fines against 13 lobbyists or clients, including Patricia Lynch Associates. (AP) *** "Rather than watchdogs, they've acted as pet lapdogs to the politically powerful," writes David Grandeau, the former head of the Lobbying Commission, saying that it's not the law, but lax enforcement is responsible for these ethical lapses ** NY integrity commission charges lobbyists, clients
Where is Bloomberg's Free Crosstown Buses? Bloomberg Calls for Free Crosstown Buses - City Room Blog (NYT) Only True News was telling its readers that the MTA and state budget shortfalls made that promise and others campaign promise by the all the candidate running for office impossible. Reality Bites MTA: Service cuts up ahead $200 million short of its payroll-tax projection for 2009 *** MTA finds $343 million budget shortfall (Crains) *** M.T.A. Tax Revenue Is $200 Million Short*** MTA whistleblower breaks nose, loses teeth, needs stitches after alleged shove onto tracks*** The payroll tax that was supposed to help bail out the MTA isn't generating as much revenue as expected * The MTA needs a bailout from its bailout (Fiscal Watch)
From True News During the Campaign 10/18/09
Subways Fare $4.00 by 2010 While Bloomberg TV Commerical Takes Credit for MTA programs the entire agency is in melt down because of the economic crisis and not long term funding plans NEW TV AD: BETTER TRANSIT NOW *** NYC mayor calls MTA "bloated," proposes changes Aug 3, 2009 *** MTA deal takes all of us for a ride The MTA is billions of dollars short of the funds needed to modernize the system and keep it in good repair. Its latest five-year that is unfunded (CrainNY) Hey Bloomberg who will pay for the MTA? Politicians blast MTA over plans to hike student bus fares *** MTA may fight panel's hefty pay hikes for transit workers *** Fay: Hey MTA - Take your toll and shove it! *** Daly: Clunker dollars should fuel free rides on subway August 15, 2009
Mayor Needed Hasids Vote Fewer Hasidim Voted for Bloomberg, Study Finds - NYTimes.com When the bike riders can vote on the levels of the Brooklyn hasids they will get their bike lanes backBike-war paint Hipsters brush off Hasids Groups of bicycle-riding vigilantes have been repainting 14 blocks of Williamsburg roadways ever since the city sandblasted their bike lanes away last week at the request of the Hasidic community * With video: Brooklyn cyclists take matters into own hands * Vigilantes Repaint Bike Lane in Williamsburg (NBC)
From True News During the Campaign 10/18/09
Subways Fare $4.00 by 2010 While Bloomberg TV Commerical Takes Credit for MTA programs the entire agency is in melt down because of the economic crisis and not long term funding plans NEW TV AD: BETTER TRANSIT NOW *** NYC mayor calls MTA "bloated," proposes changes Aug 3, 2009 *** MTA deal takes all of us for a ride The MTA is billions of dollars short of the funds needed to modernize the system and keep it in good repair. Its latest five-year that is unfunded (CrainNY) Hey Bloomberg who will pay for the MTA? Politicians blast MTA over plans to hike student bus fares *** MTA may fight panel's hefty pay hikes for transit workers *** Fay: Hey MTA - Take your toll and shove it! *** Daly: Clunker dollars should fuel free rides on subway August 15, 2009
Mayor Needed Hasids Vote Fewer Hasidim Voted for Bloomberg, Study Finds - NYTimes.com When the bike riders can vote on the levels of the Brooklyn hasids they will get their bike lanes backBike-war paint Hipsters brush off Hasids Groups of bicycle-riding vigilantes have been repainting 14 blocks of Williamsburg roadways ever since the city sandblasted their bike lanes away last week at the request of the Hasidic community * With video: Brooklyn cyclists take matters into own hands * Vigilantes Repaint Bike Lane in Williamsburg (NBC)
Planned Evictions of a Neighborhood With the gentrification of both Fort Green and the Brooklyn Navy Yard neighborhoods it was just a matter of time before the two housing complexes separating the two neighborhoods was also gentrified 2 Brooklyn Complexes With a Ghost-Town Feel *** Impatience Grows Over Vacancy Rate in Public Housing
More Welfare for the Rich First the SEC looks the other way or was purposefully stuff with clueless investigators on Madoff, not the feds are coming to the rescue to investors who should have knon something was up when they kept getting high returns year after year Tax Plan Is Meant to Help Indirect Madoff Investors The proposal aims to provide smaller investors who were victims of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme the same sorts of tax breaks given to affluent investors *** Less-Rich Victims of Bernie Madoff May Also Get Tax Breaks As Chuck Schumer Burnishes Own Image
How does the NYT Ignore the Corruption Inside DiNapoli's Office? It is unreal how the entire media has not followed up the fact that According to the NYP convicted pension money manager Elliott "Broidy rewarded another official in Hevesi's office by providing a "sham" $380,000 consulting contract to a relative. A NYP source identified the official as former Deputy Comptroller Tom Sanzillo and said the contract went to his brother Frank Sanzillo, a lobbyist at the state Capitol. What would it take for the NYT or some other media reporter as the appointed comptroller about is top aid taking a payoff from a convict? Instead the NYT give up fluff and PR spins from DiNapoli seeking reelection The Times likes state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's call for shared services, but is skeptical local governments will listen Hevesi took swank trips as 'payoffs' (NYP) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life is Not Journalsim From NYT Modest Gains in City Math Scores on Federal Test From NY1 National Test Scores Show Stalled Progress For City Kids From NYP Students make little gain on national math test, despite higher scores on state level From NYDN City Education Dept., teachers clash on whether third, fourth grade math tests results show progress
Inside City Hall Mayor ends DA war *** Mike GOTV team in Mass. appeal *** Roger foe wins TWU *** Mayor stops bashing DA Morgenthau's accounts *** Quinn shrugs off challenge from outspoken Barron *** Toussaint rival John Samuelsen elected president of TWU *** Kappstatter: 'Tis night before Christmas for Bronx pols *** Mayor Vetoes Legislation For Parking Grace Period *** Bloomberg, Liu, Thompson Staffers Dish on Campaign
New York Economic and Competency Melt Down 10% of NYC's low-cost housing seen deep in debt *** Filene's to exit Sixth Ave. basement *** Jobs above all: Wage demands must not scuttle development of the Kingsbridge Armory *** W hotel at Union Square sold at auction*** State cuts put small drugstores in peril Cuts in pharmacy reimbursement rates for five public programs, including Medicaid, could result in druggists losing money on many prescriptions they fill *** St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC lays off 180 *** Homeowners' Bank Accounts Frozen over Second Mortgages - SI Advance*** Pay Frozen at Museum of Modern Art as Investments Shrink by 18% Bloomberg *** INTERVIEW: Incoming New York City comptroller to rein in costs Forbes
Political Parties Man arrested for throwing tomatoes at Sarah Palin
Environment Millions in U.S. Drink Dirty Water, Records Show *** Europe Praises U.S. Ruling on Greenhouse Gases *** The Endangerment Finding The E.P.A.’s clear authority to regulate greenhouse gases can be used as an important tool if Congress fails to pass legislation to reduce global warming emissions (NYT Ed) *** Dark Side of a Natural Gas Boom *** Goals in Copenhagen Are Tantamount to Suicide - Joel Kotkin, Forbes *** Getting Close in Copenhagen - San Francisco Chronicle
International Heavy Toll in 5 Baghdad Attacks *** Japan Puts Forth $80.6 Billion Stimulus Package *** Russia’s Carbon Credits Seen as Barrier to Warming Curb *** Dubai World Is Pressured to Sell Assets *** Dubai World Is Pressured to Sell Assets *** Violence Spreads in Pakistan *** Iran Protesters Take Aim at Regime *** Iraq Delays Elections to March 6 *** Swiss Vote Was About Fear of Extremists - Anne Applebaum, Slate *** Violent Protests in Iran Carry Into Second Day
Media and New Tech Radio active NPR wants reporter off Fox News *** Google gets real Targets Bing with up to the minute search results *** NY Times buyout count gets to 53 *** Clear Channel gets breather *** NYTimes Co. keeping Worcester paper *** Boxee, a Start-Up, to Offer a Device to Put Web Video on TV *** Universal, Sony and EMI to Start Music Video Site Called Vevo *** Apple confirms purchase of music site Lala.com *** You've got freedom: AOL ends ties with Time Warner *** Google Counters Microsoft *** CNN Invests in Outside.In *** Journalism and Freedom(WSJ) *** Journalism and Freedom - Rupert Murdoch, Wall Street Journal *** Murdoch: From Media Villain to Champion - David Paul Kuhn, RCP *** McClatchy Ad Revenue Down Over 20% In 4Q *** JuJu Chang To Replace Cuomo On "GMA"... But Cuomo Offered Another ABC Job... *** Google Chrome for Mac Web browser reaches beta release *** As The World Turns' To Wrap Up After 54 Years *** New York Times Says Print Ad Decline Moderating *** 'Hulu For Magazines': Publishers Team Up For Digital Newsstand *** Time Inc.'s Squires Reveals Digital Consortium ***Google in Agreement to Animate Times, Post *** Pepsi Ends Tiger Woods Drink *** Les Moonves: Advertisers Now Paying 25% More Than Earlier This Year
