Voters Annoyed by Hard-to-Read Ballots(NYT)
DiNapoli Cover Up
DiNapoli said last month he had nothing to do with the $103,000 payout that settled the Gropez scandal — the serial sexual attacks perpetrated by Assemblyman Vito Lopez and the efforts of Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver to cover them up. But that was all baloney. DiNapoli’s office actually wrote portions of the settlement and advised Assembly lawyers throughout, according to internal e-mails released through a Freedom of Information Law request filed by The Post. DiNapoli was installed in his office by Shelly Silver in 2007. So when Silver told him to pony up the $103,000 settlement, DiNapoli did exactly that.
Breaking Assembly Releases Documents Listing Sexual Harassment Settlement(NYT)
A New York Post columnist asked: “Who watches Tom DiNapoli?”
Such deals (one hopes, anyway) are unique and should go straight to the top. * Speaker’s pet(NYP Ed) The Post scoff that it is “impossible to believe” State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was not aware of the details of Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s secret harassment settlement because DiNapoli wrote portions of it. * Sheldon Silver still has Assembly's 'strong backing' despite Vito Lopez scandal(Newsday)* NY can't tolerate Silver's inaction(TU) * City GOP targets Silver's kids(NYP) * 'Lopez' Special Prosecutor Can Scrutinize Silver RoleThe Chief-Leade
The cozy relationship between Sheldon Silver, the Met Council, and Bruce RatnerI know I'm late on this, but let's take another look at the cozy relationship between Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, and developer Forest City Ratner. There's nothing illegal, just another episode of the questionable one-hand-washes-the-other power configuration that seems so prevalent in the city and state. (Atlantic Yard Report)
Capitol Confidential
* Seiler: How can we replace Ravi Batra? (TU)
John O'Hara Was Convicted of A Felony For twelve months in 1992-1993, he lived in two apartments in Brooklyn.[4][5] Both were in the same voting district.[5][12] He had never voted more than once in any election.[5] The charge was that he had claimed the wrong one for voting purposes.[4][5]
sentenced to five years probation, an $20,000 fine, and 1,500 hours of community service picking up garbage.[13] The case also resulted in his disbarment on November 10, 1997.[2][5]
Assemblyman Sheldon Silver Pestered By Yet Another Potential Felony(Village Voice) "The election law is clear that voters have wide latitude to vote from
the residence they choose, so long as they are not dually registered.
They all vote from only one place, and under New York law that is
clearly legal," Silver spokesman Michael Whyland said in a statement to the paper. "Latitude"
is one thing -- flat-out not living in the district in which you vote
is another; in fact, it's a misdemeanor in most cases and a felony in
others. In 1996, O'Hara was charged under an almost completely disused law
requiring that one's voting registration must be based on one's "fixed
permanent and principal home": People v. O'Hara became the first-ever conviction under this law.[4] For twelve months in 1992-1993, he lived in two apartments in Brooklyn.[4][5]
Both were in the same voting district.[5][12] He had never voted more than once in any election.[5] The charge was that he had claimed the wrong one for voting purposes.[4][5] Refusing any plea deal, after a mistrial and a reversal on appeal, O'Hara was convicted of a felony in July 1999, sentenced to five years probation, an $20,000 fine, and 1,500 hours of community service picking up garbage.[13] The case also resulted in his disbarment on November 10, 1997.[2][5] * 2001 Court Case: No. 78 People v. John O'Hara
T to Cuomo: Call Moreland Maybe
The First Test for Albany’s Ethicists(NYT) The tangled controversy surrounding Assemblyman Vito Lopez has presented the ethics commission with its first big challenge.The Times questions the viability of the state ethics commission and encourages Cuomo to keep the option of creating his own investigative panel “on the table” since the Legislature “has never been able to investigate itself” * The New York Times says Cuomo should keep the Moreland Act commission option “on the table” for investigating the Assemblyman Vito Lopez scandal because “the Legislature has never been able to investigate itself.”* The News suggests reforms to the state ethics commission, including a public vote and application for investigation, since the group is “struggling for credibility”:Daily News wants JCOPE overhauled "to show respect for the people's right to know what's being done in their name" JCOPE Leaks The TU’s Fred LeBrun suggests Albany County DA David Soares, who “has experience in dealing with gubernatorial egomaniacs” thanks to his Troopergate probe days, should be involved in investigating potential JCOPE leaks, which seems to go all the way to the top.
What Does the NYT Think? Their Editorial Has Not Opinion
DiNapoli's Legal Insider Pension Trading
And the New York fund has contracts worth billions with hedge funds and Wall Street firms. These contracts, too, are secret, as they contain supposedly competitive information the Wall Streeters don’t want outsiders to know.That means the only behind-the-scenes scrutiny of the state pension fund comes from other elected officials — Silver’s Assembly, the state Senate and the state AG. But guess what? DiNapoli, as payments controller, has access to their secrets. And they know it. Checks and balances are working — just not for the public.
The NYT Forgets the Why of Vito's Victory Over Restler
Show of Strength for Brooklyn Democratic Machine(NYT)
"Lincoln Restler, may become one of Mr. Lopez’s latest casualties, a testament to the enduring strength of the scrappy assemblyman even as he prepares to hand over the reins of the party in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal involving four female employees." (True News and the other blogs have already published days ago all the info in today's NYT)
NYT Left Out the Why $$$?
The deal between Lopez and the Zaloynim that resulted in 5000 Satmar Hasidic votes for Olechowski. The deal includes real estate, protection from sexual abuse that runs through the Brooklyn DA's office for states. Vito real estate deals with the UJO Hasdic Zaloynim is all made possible by the millions city and state pols have pumped into his non profit the Bushwick Ridgewood Senior Citizens organization, which the NYT started writing about in 1993. Growth of a New-Age Political Machine - New York Times. It is clear the NYT does not write about Lopez real estate dealing because of Speakers Silver's involvement in deals like the no failed pfizer attempt.
Regardless of what the NYT does not write it is clear that Lopez has nothing to lose by fighting to stay alive politically by blackmailing Silver. The NYT also leaves out how Lopez uses his Bushwick Ridgewood non profit like Seabrook, Huntley and Rivera to deliver votes to himself and the candidates he supports. It is sad how the media attacks mostly minority pols who use the non profits they control and fund for political gains but never touch white pols like Quinn who uses the millions of city $$$ given to the Highline as her own personal jobs programs and campaign fundraising tool. Shelly Silver and Vito Lopez collaborated on some legislative shenanigans. Or Fiddler or SeddioPork Pig Fidler's Media Friends Put Lipstick On Him | Room Eight We’re shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! “Vito Lopez amassed power
and loyalty through appointments and cheap housing.”
Campaign 2012 Republican state Sen. David Storobin has been taken to court three times in the past 11 years over nearly $10,000 in unpaid rent at his Brooklyn apartment, but Storobin says he made good on the payments, the News writes * Leaders in the Asian American, labor and business communities will voice their concerns about the ongoing federal investigation into NYC Comptroller John Liu’s fundraising. Confucius Plaza Community Room, 20 Bowery St., Chinatown. 1:30 p.m. * UFT went 3-for-9 with endorsements in competitive Assembly and Senate races * A Cuomo source says the usually nonpartisan governor will be “active down the home stretch” in competitive House races, and will issue more than his standard paper endorsements.* Accordingly, Mr. Espaillat’s spokesman Ibrahim Khan, referencing Mark Gjonaj‘s race as well, told us last night: “We are thrilled by the strong and clear vote of confidence cast for Senator Espaillat and every other candidate he supported. The fact that Senator Espaillat won his race overwhelmingly, and helped Gabriela Rosa and Mark Gjonaj win Assembly seats in the face of stiff opposition, is a testament to his leadership in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.” * Candidate Issues Apologies for Anti-Gay Mailer(NYO) * Both Sides Now Airing Ads in Staten Island Congressional Race [Video] * Hakeem Jeffries Takes a Victory Lap(NYO) * Courtney Gross
Supporters of @johncliu call for investigation to end. Say Liu is persecuted and make allusion to Nazi Germany. Full report @InsideCityHall * Frank Rich Turns Into a Republican (NY Mag) * As expected, Democrat-turned-Republican Doe Fund founded George T. McDonald has registered as a candidate in the 2013 NYC mayor’s race. * NYC Councilman/House hopeful Dan Halloran plans to attend a fundraiser for Rep. Allen West in Manhattan on Oct. 1 as the controversial congressman’s “guest.” * Assemblyman Dan Hevesi says the court ruling the MTA payroll tax unconstitutional is “a dangerous decision that cannot be allowed to stand.” * Congressman-to-be Hakeem Jeffries took a victory lap with his preferred successor, Assemblyman-to-be Walter Mosley. * 
Councilman Sanders’s protege to run for vacated seat(NYDN)
Somebody they should look closely at, a bit more time on. The whole Boyland family” Major Owens
Former Congressman Major Owens was defending John Liu at a pres conference,
but don’t expect his sympathies to extend to all embattled politicians.
After he finished speaking, we asked Mr. Owens about what he made of
Assemblyman William Boyland being reelected last week.
“I was very disheartened by that. Because he had six opponents, it was
uncontrollable,” Mr. Owens, who used to represent at least parts of Mr.
Boyland’s Brownsville-based district, responded. “He’s somebody they
should look closely at, a bit more time on. The whole Boyland family.”
Councilman Sanders’s protege to run for vacated seat(NYDN)
CAMPAIGN NOTEBOOK: Flushing primary winners band together for general election (NYDN) Nily Rozic’s win over Jerry Iannece for Assembly seat sparks anger in his Bayside Hills neighborhood
Somebody they should look closely at, a bit more time on. The whole Boyland family” Major Owens
2013 Hopefuls Shout Huzzahs Over Walmart Snub (NYO)
BOE Computer Counting System Still Slower Than Poll Workers Hand Count
Fracks of life – & death – for NY pol(Dicker, NYP) One of the state Legislature’s leading backers of “hydrofracking’’ for natural gas has received death threats from what he believes are environmental radicals opposed to the controversial drilling technique, The Post has learned. “There have been repeated threats to me of bodily harm,’’ Deputy Senate Majority Leader Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton) angrily told The Post.
Village Voice March 7, 2012
Police Reports Suggest Officers May Sometimes Portray Crimes Less Seriously(NYT) The integrity of the Police Department’s crime statistics has been
questioned as accounts emerge by officers who say they are being
pressured to reduce the number of felony incidents reported. Jim Dwyer
@jimdwyernyt Draining Hard Truth from NYPD Crime Reports: How does being hit by a bullet become a scrape from a fall? New York police officers portray a less
serious account of crimes than the district attorneys or victims,
according to a review of more than 100 police reports. "102 people were convicted of felony assault, despite the police’s having classified the crime as a misdemeanor"
Billionaire braggadocio(Queens Crap)
From the Village Voice:...Hizzoner announced he expects to see nearly $2 billion cut from his final budget the next fiscal year. That amount comes out to about 3% of the total budget as a whole, meaning that these cuts are going to be deep and their impact on New Yorkers' lives even deeper. And the targets of this setback ring out this message even louder: in a rare occasion, the NYPD will be on the chopping block.
From the NY Magazine:
"I just spent roughly $600 million of my own money to try to stop the scourge of tobacco, and I'm looking for another cause," Bloomberg said, reminding everyone that he can literally burying people under his piles of money.
So why don't you fix what you messed up by betting all our money on taxi medallion sales that won't be happening, and donate your billions to the city instead of stopping people in Uganda from smoking and eating trans fats?
By the way, there's plenty of city money to gIve raises to Bloomberg's staffers...
City Council members criticized Bloomberg 4 giving some staffers promotions w/ raise$
Staten Island pols settle matters with a stickball bat (SI Advance)
Liu Supporter Virginia Kee Compaires the His FBI Investigation to the Holocaust
Today, the 1-year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, activists are planning several marches, assemblies and other activities
Update Dozens of Arrests on ‘Occupy’ Anniversary(NYT) *Arrests Near Stock Exchange Top 100 on Occupy Wall St. Anniversary(NYT) * As many as 100 arrested at
Occupy Wall Street plans protests for movement’s one-year anniversary(NYP) * Occupy plus one year(NYP Ed) The Post pooh-poohs Occupy Wall
Street’s weekend of “politically pointless events” and dubs its
annniversay march a “nostalgic trip down Nonsense Lane”
OWS Protesters Mark One Year With Same Message, Smaller Crowd(NY1)
MTA Increases With No Improvement In Service
Insiders say MTA will reveal fare-hike proposals (NYDN) * MTA is rai$ing havoc(NYP)Straphangers could face even larger subway fare hikes than already planned because of a potential $100 million hole in the MTA’s budget. The looming crisis is the result of 64 of the agency’s 65 employee unions operating without a contract, a rare occurrence that could blow the agency’s already fragile budget apart and force even bigger fare hikes than the ones set for March. * Another Fare Hike?(Huff Post) * New Subway Exit Opens Near Barclays Center(NY1)
* Transit Chief’s Latest Fearless Move: Using Twitter on His Own(NYT)
Cheating Upwards Stuyvesant kids do it.(NY Mag) Harvard kids do it. Smart kids may especially do it. But why?
Now that Bloomberg has successfully targeted big sugary drinks in NYC, could oversized servings of food be next?
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City using free power lawyer to evict Astor Place newsstand icon(NYP) * Newsstand owner fights eviction from Astor Place locati(Fox 5) Joe Biden has been a “good vice president,” if he does say so himself.
New Territory for Ads, With a Moving Target(NYT) MetroCards, bus windows and digital technology have become new mechanisms for advertisements around the city.
The Making of A President 2012
Chaos over Romney’s RNC speech revealed(NYP) * Netanyahu likens Iran's weapons potential to Oklahoma City bombing in TV interview(NYP) * Chuck Todd
New Romney ad, strikes me as the first ad the campaign should have unveiled after their convention. * POLITICO: Romney campaign infighting...
The Magnitude of the Mess We're In - Shultz, et al., Wall Street Journal
GOP Hating on Ben Bernanke - Paul Krugman, New York Times
Obama Fiddles as Mideast Burns - Niall Ferguson, Newsweek
The Obama Doctrine: Act Cautiously & Not Alone - Paul Richter, LA Times
Media Working Overtime to Protect Obama - Joe Curl, Washington Times
Why Romney and Ryan Are Going Down - Robert Reich, Huffington Post
How the Media Misrepresents the Race - Jay Cost, Weekly Standard
How Romney Stumbled - Mike Allen & Jim Vandehei, Politico
Woodward Book Dissects a Failed Presidency - Conn Carroll, DC Examiner
The Grand Old Straight White Men's Party - Bill Keller, New York Times
Bottom Line: US Worse Off Under Obama - Jennifer Braceras, Boston Herald
Will Ad Fatigue Mute GOP's Late Barrage? - Scott Conroy, RealClearPolitics
Ben's Latest Move Has a Desperate Air - Robert Samuelson, Washington Post
The Puppetry of Quotation Approval - David Carr, New York Times
Appeasing Thugs By Trampling Our Rights - Andrea Peyser, New York Post
How Child Molesters Get Away With It - Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker
Chicago Teachers Union Is Out of Control - Mark Brown, Chicago Sun-Times
Sunday Panels: FOX News Sunday | This Week | FTN | Meet the Press
Mitt Romney abruptly shifts strategy (Politico)
Obama admin asks WTO to accelerate its investigation of Chinese levies on U.S.-made cars(Wash Times)
Mitt Romney (R-1percent) trashes the 47 percent
Romney in secret fundraiser video: 47 percent backing Obama like government-sponsored programs (Politico) * Romney aide responds to video: He wants to help everyone 'struggling in the Obama economy'(Politico)
No Arab Spring
The Magnitude of the Mess We're In - Shultz, et al., Wall Street Journal
GOP Hating on Ben Bernanke - Paul Krugman, New York Times
Obama Fiddles as Mideast Burns - Niall Ferguson, Newsweek
The Obama Doctrine: Act Cautiously & Not Alone - Paul Richter, LA Times
Media Working Overtime to Protect Obama - Joe Curl, Washington Times
Why Romney and Ryan Are Going Down - Robert Reich, Huffington Post
How the Media Misrepresents the Race - Jay Cost, Weekly Standard
How Romney Stumbled - Mike Allen & Jim Vandehei, Politico
Woodward Book Dissects a Failed Presidency - Conn Carroll, DC Examiner
The Grand Old Straight White Men's Party - Bill Keller, New York Times
Bottom Line: US Worse Off Under Obama - Jennifer Braceras, Boston Herald
Will Ad Fatigue Mute GOP's Late Barrage? - Scott Conroy, RealClearPolitics
Ben's Latest Move Has a Desperate Air - Robert Samuelson, Washington Post
The Puppetry of Quotation Approval - David Carr, New York Times
Appeasing Thugs By Trampling Our Rights - Andrea Peyser, New York Post
How Child Molesters Get Away With It - Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker
Chicago Teachers Union Is Out of Control - Mark Brown, Chicago Sun-Times
Sunday Panels: FOX News Sunday | This Week | FTN | Meet the Press
Mitt Romney abruptly shifts strategy (Politico)
Obama admin asks WTO to accelerate its investigation of Chinese levies on U.S.-made cars(Wash Times)
Newsweek’s ‘Muslim Rage’ cover coincides with critique of Tina Brown USA Today columnist Michael Wolff, a big name brought in to stoke much-needed buzz at a legacy publication trumpeting its reinvention as an Internet-age news organization, slams Newsweek Editor Tina Brown
for bringing in big names and trying to stoke much-needed buzz at the
legacy publication she’s trying to reinvent as an Internet-age news
organization.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is dismissing calls
for Romney to be more explicit about his differences with Obama on a
variety of issues ranging from health care to foreign policy to taxes. Violent clashes over anti-Islam film in 3 nations(NYP) * Romney to outline how he would govern, releases new ads(NYP) * AP: U.S. destroying secret info amid unrest * Filing Trade Suit, Obama Raps Romney on China(NYT) * Romney Aide Concedes Need for More Specifics(NYT) * From a Democratic Address, Donations for Romney(NYT) * Despite Recent Romney Stumbles, Presidential Race Is Far From Over(NPR) * Leaked Romney Video Shows Blunt Talk on ‘Dependents’(NYT) * Filing Trade Suit, Obama Raps Romney on China(NYT) * Ben Smith
@BuzzFeedBen Pattern here: Romney cleans up, things stabilize a bit, Obama goes out and reignites.
Three Reasons We Should Salute Bernanke - John Cassidy, The New Yorker
In Fact, We're Going Backward - Ralph Reiland, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
America's Mideast Policies in Shambles - Michael Barone, DC Examiner
Obama Handling Libya, Egypt Situations Well - Leslie Gelb, Daily Beast
The Administation Is Still Apologizing - Ben Stein, The American Spectator
Romney Campaign Is in Trouble - Ezra Klein, Washington Post
Mitt Romney's Worst Week Ever - Francis Wilkinson, Bloomberg
The Media's Spin for Obama Is Running on Empty - Ed Morrissey, Hot Air
Thanks to Ryan, Dems Gain Upper Hand - Robert Kuttner, Huffington Post
Wisconsin Moves Into Full Battleground Status - Lynn Sweet, Chicago ST
The Biggest Lie of 2012 - Glenn Cook, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Teachers' Strike: Chicago's Just the Beginning - Josh Eidelson, Salon
Election '12: State RCP Averages | Tracking Polls: Obama Bounce Fades
In Fact, We're Going Backward - Ralph Reiland, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
America's Mideast Policies in Shambles - Michael Barone, DC Examiner
Obama Handling Libya, Egypt Situations Well - Leslie Gelb, Daily Beast
The Administation Is Still Apologizing - Ben Stein, The American Spectator
Romney Campaign Is in Trouble - Ezra Klein, Washington Post
Mitt Romney's Worst Week Ever - Francis Wilkinson, Bloomberg
The Media's Spin for Obama Is Running on Empty - Ed Morrissey, Hot Air
Thanks to Ryan, Dems Gain Upper Hand - Robert Kuttner, Huffington Post
Wisconsin Moves Into Full Battleground Status - Lynn Sweet, Chicago ST
The Biggest Lie of 2012 - Glenn Cook, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Teachers' Strike: Chicago's Just the Beginning - Josh Eidelson, Salon
Election '12: State RCP Averages | Tracking Polls: Obama Bounce Fades
Romney Calls 47% of Voters Dependent in Leaked Video(NYT)
Mitt Romney (R-1percent) trashes the 47 percent
Romney in secret fundraiser video: 47 percent backing Obama like government-sponsored programs (Politico) * Romney aide responds to video: He wants to help everyone 'struggling in the Obama economy'(Politico)
No Arab Spring
Law and Order
Wife’s angry messages cited at former NYPD cop’s murder trial(NYP)
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Gadget watch may reveal mob rats (NYDN)Man Arraigned On Charges Connected To Two Violent Manhattan Rapes(NY1)* Don’t free James Zappalorti's remorseless killer: victim's (NYDN) * Suspect Sought in String of Bronx Robberies(NBC) * Anti-violence rally planned after shooting of Staten Island (SI Advance)* BX Hypodermic Needle Robber Strikes Again(NBC)
