True News Sunday Update

NYP Tries to Stop Albany Pols From Raising Their Pay By Exposing Abuses in Per Diem Pay

Albany Pols Collect Per Diems When They’re Not There

Politicians caught collecting Albany per diems when they're not there(NYP)Claiming she spent a marathon 12 consecutive days in Albany on “legislative business,” Queens Assemblywoman Vivian Cook pocketed $171 for each reported overnight stay — a total $2,197 in taxpayer money from March 21 to April 1, 2010. The Legislature was in session just three of those days — and Cook was absent for all three, records show. 



The per diem system grants state senators and Assembly members $165 a night, reduced from $171 last year, for food and lodging. Lawmakers who stay in apartments or second homes in Albany can still collect it. If they don’t spend the night, they get a $61 per diem. Those who drive can also get 55.5 cents a mile, plus repayment for tolls. Taxi, train and plane rides are reimbursed. Some lawmakers submit travel receipts; many don’t.  Assembly and court documents show that Boyland in 2010 claimed multiple per diems for work in Albany on days he met with undercover FBI agents in Brooklyn and Manhattan to discuss bribes.

2m Azi Paybarah ‏@azipaybarah

what every lawmaker should tell a journo when asked about spending public $. "I don’t think I have to give you proof." http://bit.ly/TPrtmV

With Mike era ending, lobbyists wonder how to ‘succeed’(NYP) High anxiety is spreading among developers and lobbyists desperate to get their projects approved by City Hall before Mayor Bloomberg leaves office. Another concern for those doing business with the city is the brain drain that comes with the wind-up of every administration.






NYP Says Tax the Rich Will Damage the City's Economy

Silver: more pain, please(NYP Ed) Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, fresh from conspiring with Gov. Cuomo to raise state taxes on “the rich,” now proposes to do the same for high-earning city residents. Never mind that the top-earning 10% already pay 71% of city income taxes, as the Manhattan Institute’s E.J. McMahon noted on these pages last week.  The speaker’s rendition of his golden oldie followed close on the heels of mayoral wannabe Bill de Blasio’s call last week to sock the $500,000-plus crowd. Meanwhile, as we noted Monday, all of next year’s top five likely mayoral candidates have backed soak-the-rich tax hikes.

Republican Candidates Embrace Cuomo’s Appeal(NYT) As they seek to maintain a power base in Albany, Republicans running for re-election have found an unlikely standard-bearer in the name and image of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat.









 June Primary for Mayor Possible

Plan to move Democratic primary from September to June could shake up mayoral race (NYDN)  New York has traditionally held September primaries, but the Board of Elections asked the state to move the election up three months because of complicated new voting machines and to consolidate primaries for state and federal races.

CSS Pressures Quinn to Support Sick Pay Bill
Quinn‘s sick day stance contrasts with poll(NYDN) A new Community Service Society poll found that 83% of city residents (up from 74% last year) strongly favor a law requiring minimum paid sick days for workers.

SNL’s VP Debate: Belligerent Biden, Tough Gal Raddatz, And Water-Guzzling Ryan




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The Journalist Blogger That Got Pedro Espada, Still Ignored By Main Stream Media

At First Rafael Martínez Stood Up to Pedro Espada Alone Putting His Life in Danger  . . .  13 Years After He Started His Investigation of the Former Senator's Corruption He Watch, the U.S. Attorney Declared "The Espada Era Is Over"

Martínez: "Pedro All Your Family Should Be in Jail" Video

Media and Political Bias Against Blogger Martínez Changed NYS History

If there was any value left in the local Pulitzer or TV news Emmy awards, a journalist who most of his City Hall colleagues try to ignore,  discredit and humiliate because they feel he is not worthy of their status, should win this year. Rafael Martínez Alequín, long a pariah among the City Hall press corps, did what his colleagues don’t bother to do anymore, investigative reporting.

For over 13 years Martínez has been investigating Pedro Espada. First in his newspaper Your Free Press and then on the online edition. Yesterday his reporting work paid off.  Espada Speaks Softly as He Pleads Guilty to a Single Tax Charge * Espada Guilty of Tax Fraud In Plea Deal(WSJ) * U.S. Attorney Declares "Espada Era Is Over"(NY1) * Disgraced pol Pedro Espada pleads guilty to tax evasion; son Pedro Gautier Espada pleads guilty to theft(NYDN) * The end of the road for Pedro Espada (NYDN Ed)

If the Media, Pols and DA's Used the Corruption Information Martínez Uncovered Years Ago, the Democrats Would Still Be in Control of the State Senate

Not only did Martínez break one of the biggest corruption stories of the decade, the ignoring of his finding led to one of the most disgraceful era in Albany history.  The takeover of the State Senate by the GOP and the disgusting deals that the senate democrats made with Espada to make him their leader to buy back the chamber. Martinez was ignored because he is an independent blogger who writes the truth.  Main Street Media owned by corporations are more concerned with sticking with a news narratives that kiss the ass of incumbents and lobbyist who do their businesses favors.  DN Editorial "Espada was abetted by many in Albany who should have known better — including every state senator in 2009 and 2010."


Martinez Watch NYC Reporting Change From the Dignity, Power and Abilty of Murray Kempton To A Generation of Crap Reporters With No Shame

The media hires young snarky clueless reporters who do not have the ability to understand how to do investigative reporting, or the will.  Most of today reporters generate stories from elected officials or the lobbyist that work for them. Or they copy each other stories adding gossip. It was only after Espada voted with the GOP, putting Sprinkles the Clown in charge of the Senate, that the prosecutors started real investigations into Espada’s health care clinic and subpoenaed Martinez’s video and materials.  All the MSM has done is report on what the prosecutors have done to Espada. Only Martinez generated orgional informations on Espada which the prosecutors used to go after him


The physical Violence and Threats Martinez Received at the Hands of Espada Thugs was covered up by the Bronx D.A. and the Media

Martínez was attacked and threatened at a campaign rally at Amalgamated Houses Co-op, when he attempted to ask Espada a questions about his out of district residency and illegal uses of non profit medical heath care organization funds. Martinez asked Espada if he used his health center funds to pay for his campaign? For asking that question the reporter was attacked by Espada son Alejandro. His camera was broken and he was warned to end his investigation of the health care funds or face death.  Pedro yelled at Martinez as he was being attacked by his son, He's trying to teach you manners, Papa."  Before being taken to the hospital the 76 years old Martinez was threaten by another Espada campaign workers saying her brother would put him in a body bag if he did not leave Pedro alone.  Martinez had to get an order of protection against Ms. Marzetta Harris an employee of the senator's health clinic and sister of Espada's Soundview Health Clinic Board Chairman.


Martinez's Investigative Reporting Uncovered How Espada Used His Health Center As A Personal Piggy Bank and As His Campaign Machine

After the threats the Harris sisters hung on after Espada was force to leave the health center by the AG, which in effect keep him in control to collect $$$ for himself and his family.  Espada thugs were embolden into attacking Martinez and using the health center as their personal piggy bank because they considered MSM journalists and local prosecutors as no danger to them. The Bronx DA did all he could to get Espada son off the hook, when he prosecuted the attack on Martinez caught on video. The video that caught the younger Espada pushing the 76 year old reporter to the floor breaking his camera forced the DA Not to do something.   In the end Pedro son got a sweet heart deal that was limited to paying Martinez $432 for the broken camera.  Martinez read a letter in court how he was opposed to the light settlement.

 
Espada's Physical Attack On A Reporter Doing His Job, Goes Unnoticed in the Bronx's Courts and By Fellow Journalists

IMPACT STATEMENT OF RAFAEL MARTINEZ ALEQUIN
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE JOSEPH DAWSON
Bronx Criminal Court, January 14, 2010

"Your Honor in the name of Justice you must appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and make the proper charges in this case. The same political machine that supports Senator Espada is critical for the reelection of the Bronx DA. In fact the political operative who works for Espada represented the Bronx DA in a case where he was accused of not living in the Bronx. I am appalled at the way our County legal system allowed Alejandro Espada to get away with a simple “slap on the wrist. Even considering my limited understanding of the criminal justice system, Alejandro should have been convicted of assault. Pedro Espada Jr., who avoided even being charged, should have been convicted of being an accessory to a crime. He encouraged his son, Alejandro to attack me. And then, as I was being assaulted, he said to me “this is to teach you manners papa. . . " Rafael Martinez

 

The DA Espada Fix in the Bronx Allowed the Corruption to Go On . . .  It Also Allowed An Attack on A Journalist in NYC By A Pol to Be Cover Up
The Media Even Ignored the Fact that the Bronx DA Protected the Espada Thugs Who Attacked Martinez, A Fellow Journist

Espada knew that if you’re a member of the ruling political class of the Bronx, the mainstream media and DA's will protect you. Bronx power broker Stanley Schlein Protected Espada  Boss Schlein worked for Senator Espada and helped DA Johnson win an important residency case when he first ran for office. Schlein is also the right hand man to the powerful Bronx County Leader Carl Heastie, rules the Board of Elections and still has a working relationship with the powerful Rivera family (he was her lawyer Noemi Rivera who tried to knock the man who beat her Mark Gjonaj off the ballot for assembly).  If DA Johnson wanted to be reelected (which he does) there was no way that DA Johnson was going to go after Espada's before his protection was ended.  Espada became road kill when he joined Monserrate and held the state hostage for over a month with no government, that the NYP called the A;lbany circus.  Once you embarrassed the establishment the protection deal is canceled.  If you look at the establishment coming down on Vito Lopez after his sexual harassment case became public, you can concluded that the city's rulers are OK with corruption as long as those pols doing the stealing don't embarrass them in public.

After MSM the Espada Protection Deal Ended Reporters Like WCBS TV's Marsha Kramer Used Martinez's Residency Video Without Giving the Him Credit

Rafael Martínez also produced a video in which he interviewed several Bronx neighbors of State Senator Pedro Espada, who had never seen Espada in the building before. The excellent video, which shows Espada’s car parked later that night at his real home in Mamaroneck, proves outright that Senator Espada had never lived at the Bronx address which he listed as his official in district State Senate residence.


As Reporters Ignored Espada Until the Albany Take Over, It Put Martinez More in Danger . . . All Reporters Cared About Was Getting His Videos

On Martinez's video, an old lady tenant was confronted by Espada, who was at the time second-in-line to be Governor, in an attempt to intimidate her, took a picture of her while Martinez was interviewing her.  After Espada's state senate GOP take over Martinez's was question by the media and prosecutors and asked to supply videos and other information to them.  Main Stream Journalist and bloggers who stop making fun of Martinez's speech and accent only moments before they asked him questions for copies of his Video's. They used his stuff but never credited him or wrote about how Martinez's investigative reporting uncovered Espada's corruption years before they wrote their stories. Former senator’s Bronx pad up for sale

The Mayor and Member of the City Hall Press Tried to Take Away Martinez's Press Pass and Kick Him Out of City Hall

David Seifman from the NYP and a guy named Michael Blood from Daily News both tried to convince other journalist in Room 9 that Martinez did not deserve a press pass.  They were working on behalf of the mayor (as they often do) who canceled Martinez press pass.  It took Norman Siegel defending Martinez to defeat the Mayor’s NYPD attempt to not renew Martinez's press pass. Bloomberg wanted to limited his blue room press conferences to only puppet reporters who do  his bidding.  He wanted to end the real questions that Martinez has been firing at mayors for the last 30 years. Siegel’s lawsuit resulted in Martínez getting a new press pass, that open up press passes to other bloggers.  Martínez said a lot of the old media blame him for losing their parking permits.  With Espada headed to jail Martinez is content that his work is done. Don't worry Martinez is not going anywhere, he still has a lifetime of stories to tell and corrupt pols to fight against. “You’re still alive?” Pedro often called to the 79-year-old journalist as he attended everyday of Espada Trial.  Yesterday at the plea deal Martinez told Espada that "I am very much alive and your going to jail"  Journalist Espada Breaks Through City Hall's "The Media's Wall of Silence"

Lincoln Restler District Leader Race Update: Recount
Done Restler Loses by 21 to 24 Votes

Lincoln Restler Loses to Chris Olechowsk by 21 to 24 votes for district leader in the 50th Assembly District.  He picked up 7 uncounted votes in the recount.   Restler people did not show up at the board for the final recount. The 3 voters difference has to do with 3 ballots that voters filled in the circle and wrote in the name which the BOE did not count.  Lincoln's lawyers  Martin Connor, Jerry Goldfedder, Aron Maslow and Larry Mandelker might be working on a fraud case to be presented in court starting on Octorber 19th. There could be a few residency voting problems with Lincolns oppenent vote (If Lincoln Wants to Go There)

Mass confusion expected on Election Day (Queens Crap)

From DNA Info: With redistricting after the 2010 census, concerns have risen across the city that new districts formed earlier this year would cause mass confusion on Election Day in November. 

Curtis shacking up with Katz for free room and board(Queens Crap) From The Politicker:  

Councilwoman Melinda Katz formally kicked off her campaign for Queens Borough President last night, and in attendance among the Democratic pols and donors was her boyfriend, Curtis Sliwa, the outspoken radio show host and television personality, dressed in his customary Guardian Angels uniform and red beret. Since he has a rather unique relationship with Ms. Katz, we thought to ask him about his role in her campaign. “I’ve been assigned to do everything, which means I’m good at nothing. Which means, ‘Stay out of the way Curtis, don’t embarrass me in front of my fellow Democrats,’” he answered. “I would say, based on my many statements throughout the years about Democrats, I’ve had to be extraordinarily careful when, all of a sudden, I come eyeball-to-eyeball with someone who’s eye-fornicating me for something I’ve said for six years ago and I’ve got to suck it up, when normally I’d never suck it up. But for the good of the campaign, I’ve got to suck it up.”Addressing why he needs Ms. Katz to win, Mr. Sliwa cited both his desire to avoid homelessness and his two children with the aspiring borough president.



Team Koch Keeps Rolling

Convening an Algonquin Table at Koch’s Place(NYT)

For about the 2,300th Saturday, former mayor Ed. Koch hosted friends at his apartment, and the conversation included matters both weighty and less so.  At a recent gathering, the talk turned to lunch and regulars, from left, Tom Baer, George Arzt, John LoCicero, former Mayor Edward I. Koch and Henry J. Stern, moved their conversation to a restaurant.



The Congressman Grimm Rabbi Problem

Rabbi Linked to Campaign Inquiry Is Questioned in Israeli Bribe Case (NYT) Yoshiyahu Pinto, who is a figure in the federal inquiry into the campaign finances of Representative Michael G. Grimm, has been put under house arrest in Israel in a bribery and money-laundering investigation there.

Should plea deal worry Meeks?(Queens Crap)

From the Times Ledger:

A real estate agent with questionable ties to U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) pleaded guilty Wednesday to defrauding financial institutions in order to obtain mortgages for homes in southeast Queens.  Edul Ahmad, who entered a guilty plea in Brooklyn federal court to conspiring to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.There was speculation that prosecutors prodded Ahmad to give up information about $40,000 he gave to Meeks in 2007, which was being investigated by the House Ethics Committee. Meeks failed to report the money on his 2007, 2008 or 2009 financial disclosure statements, according to an Office of Congressional Ethics investigation, which found he took out a home equity loan in 2010 to repay Ahmad $59,650 in order to appear the money was a loan with interest.

Campaign 2012 Gillibrand Offers a Helping Hand(WSJ) * Senate Candidate Wendy Long Pushes For Hydrofracking(NY1) *  Meng taking it to the wire in 6th CD * Endorse’ reversal at DC 374(NYP) * Tom Allon will make an announcement tomorrow that "will change the Democratic Primary contest and the election for Mayor in 2013."* A Seat for the Taking, but First Seeking Traction(NYT)



Dumb Mayoral Candidates and Their Enablers the Media Do Not Think What that the Public Thinks NY's Economy is Tanking Should Be Discussed in the Campaign . . .  Because They Have Not Done Anything To Create Jobs in NY

 "Better Off Than 4 Years Ago?" In NYS, 47% = NO, 35% = YES.  * More than 10 months after first announcing he would name a panel to tackle the state’s often-criticized tax structure, Cuomo’s office signaled its members will be announced later in October. * DiNapoli Details State Spending(YNN) * Bloomberg warned (not for the first time) that his rich friends will leave NYC if their taxes are raised.* Financial future’s not bright(NYDN) * 47 percent of New Yorkers say they're worse off now than four years ago, according to Siena Research Institute Poll (NYDN)50 percent of state residents say the country's best economic days are behind us



Media Protects Silver By Not Investigating HushGate

Critics Press for Ethics Probe to Review Speaker(WSJ) An independent ethics probe into the sexual-harassment allegations against Assemblyman Vito Lopez won't be released until next month, but critics raised concerns about the investigation. * Taxpayers on hook in Senate harass probe(NYP)The state Senate shelled out $22,444 this year to probe what turned out to be bogus discrimination and harassment claims against aides to Queens Democrat Tony Avella.

Albany spends taxpayer money like drunken sailors(Queens Crap)

From the Village Voice:
Do they not have email in Albany? Because the absence of email is the only plausible explanation for the more than $7 million in taxpayer money that New York lawmakers spent on stamps in six months. That's not a joke -- New York lawmakers actually spent more than $7 million on postage in six months, according to the latest filings on the Empire Center for New York State Policy's database of legislative expenditures. But it wasn't just postage on which our elected officials pissed away our money -- according to the database, the total amount of legislative expenditures between October of 2011 and March of this year was $102 million.

M.T.A. Weighs Who Will Pay When It Raises Transit Fares(NYT) * Transit Advocates Frustrated By Likely MTA Fare Hikes(WCBS)

Another Fare Increase?(NYT Ed) The M.T.A.’s proposal to increase fares and tolls must be calibrated with great care or it will land hardest on working people at a very bad time.

More Rising Prices Electric bills could increase in New York(Fox 5)

Hey, put back subway trash cans: E. Siders(NYDN) * East Siders Trash MTA's Garbage Can Removal Program(DNAINFO)





Brooklyn bicyclist fined $1,555 on single ride(NYDN)

New Parks Chief Is a Voice for Expansion (NYT) Veronica M. White, the new commissioner of the Department of Parks and Recreation, has set out to solidify the capital projects and initiatives undertaken in the past decade.

Tax abatement at posh One57 could cost the city millions — and give a break to residents and developers (NYP)



CM Tish James Get Press for Her Public Advocate Race, Rapping Stadium Owners Including Jay-Z Who Has No Comment
“Sends a bad message. There shouldn’t be a double standard; should be one rule of law” - James

B'klyn pol cries 'double standard' over metal detectors at Jay-Z concerts, but not Streisand(NYP) * Babs brings B’klyn all-stars(NYP)
UPDATE Barclays abandons big metal detectors after rap flap; will use 'wands' instead(NYP) * Barclays Center VIP Lounge Issued Health Violation for Lack of Toilet Paper(DNAINFO) * Barclays Officials Explain Switch In Security Methods (NY1)

  Norman Oder ‏@AYReport Post: #BarclaysCenter to use wands, not metal detectors, for "foreseeable future"; what responsible for policy change? http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2012/10/post-arena-to-use-wands-not-metal.html …

  Reverend Al Sharpton ‏@TheRevAl I am leaving Brooklyn after attending Barbara Streisand's concert. We had a good chat about politics backstage. She is a very firm believer.

Education
Uptown Schools Uproar (WSJ) A proposal to upend public elementary-school admissions in Upper Manhattan has prompted an outcry from some parents who say they don't want to be shut out of their neighborhood school.

Dear Teacher, Johnny Is Skipping the Test(NYT) * Schools Get Makeover On New York Cares Day(NY1)
* Bronx teacher scolded for forcing kids to praise Lord(NYDN) * A textbook failure of leadership (NYDN) The union's charter school gets a 'D' "When given seven years to show New York how to craft a great school, (UFT) didn’t even come close.

Chaos ensues after high school principal replaces hall passes with toilet plungers(NYP)





Perv Bronx HS teacher a fallen star (NYP) His teaching was praised by former US Education Secretary Rod Paige, he was profiled by CNN and mentioned in a book for his remarkable methods. Now he’s a registered sex offender.



Soft drink makers and servers sue to block city's size ban(NYP) * Lawsuit filed to block Bloomberg soda ban(NYDN) * Soda Industry Sues to Stop Bloomberg’s Sales Limits(NYT) * Lawsuit Filed Against City's Soda Ban(NY1) * Soda 'heavyweights' fight back with lawsuit against Health Department's big sugary drinks ban(NYP) * Soda Industry Sues to Stop a Sales Ban on Big Drinks(NYT) * Foes Hit Curbs On Soda(WSJ) * American Beverage Association Among Those Suing NYC Over(WCBS)


 Canadian company holding steel needed for WTC antenna 'hostage' for millions(NYP) * Port Authority sues steel company over WTC(Fox5)

The Making of A President 2012 
Ohio's undecided voters blame both parties for economic problems(NYP)
Catholic agita over O show at Al Smith(NYP) * Campaigns Mine Personal Lives for Data to Get Out Vote(NYT) * Political Perceptions: Closing Arguments Hit Airwaves(WSJ) * Topics for third debate announced(CNN)
* Columbus Dispatch special report | Obama, Romney campaigns: Pieces to victory
Obama campaign says it passed 4 million individual donor mark (The Hill)
A Critical Week for Election 2012 - Dan Balz, Washington Post
Election May Come Down to Colorado - Salena Zito, Pittsburgh Trib-Review
Romney Surge in Ohio Tests Campaigns' Strategies - David Lauter, LAT
Take a Deep Breath, Obama's Still Got This - Toure, New York Daily News
Reality Is Why Obama Is in Big Trouble - Matthew Continetti, Free Beacon
Bob Woodward Went Looking for a Leader - Billy House, National Journal
Questioning the Dogma of the Bailout Brigade - Gretchen Morgenson, NYT
Why the Largest Banks Are a Problem - George Will, Washington Post
Now It's Obama's Turn to Win the Debate - Michael Tomasky, Daily Beast
Democratic Disarray Lies All About - Wesley Pruden, Washington Times
Repealing Obama's Health Law a Fatal Mistake - Nicholas Kristof, NYT
ObamaCare: Bad News for Small Business - Dennis Bass, Washington Post
We Have to Give Obama a Second Chance - Jay McInerney, The Guardian
State Rejects White House Story on Benghazi - John Hinderaker, PowerLine
Benghazi Debacle a Perfect Storm for Obama - Walter Russell Mead, TAI
Obama's Messenger Who Does the Shooting - Amy Chozick, NY Times
Romney on the Rise in Ohio - Joe Vardon, Columbus Dispatch
The "Moderate Mitt" Myth - New York Times
Obama Behind the Eight Ball - Washington Times
Jesse Jackson Jr. Has to Step Up - Chicago Sun-Times
A Preventable Tragedy in Benghazi - Columbus Dispatch

It’s Election Month 2012! Early Voting Changes Presidential Landscape (Daily Beast)
The 10 questions the administration needs to answer about Benghazi(Wash Post)
Axelrod defends White House on Libya, says Romney out to 'exploit' issue(The Hill)
Early voting has turned the presidential election upside down(Daily Beast)
VIDEO: Bob Woodward: Benghazi Reveals A Passivity And Deeper Problems In Obama White House
Libyan Ambassador’s Death Not a Political Issue, Says Dad (Bloomberg)
Media like a dumb blond or blonde @HowardKurtz: Biden smirking still dominant media theme; debate substance?

Issa: Libya is Obama's "Mission Accomplished" moment (CBS)
Chris Wallace Grills David Axelrod On Libya, Accusation That Romney's 'Exploiting' Issue (VIDEO)
At the Corner of Hope and Worry - Dan Barry, New York Times
Obama, Romney Nearly Tied in Electoral College - David Jackson, USAT
President's Health Care Law Gets My Vote - Clancy Sigal, The Guardian
Obama Needs a Momentum Shift Now - Jonathan Tobin, Commentary
Chronicling Mitt Romney's Mendacity - Steve Benen, MSNBC
Mitt Romney Might Just Save America - Piers Morgan, Daily Mail
Obama Must Make the Case for His Policies - Joe Klein, Time
Denying the Libya Scandal - Andrew McCarthy, National Review
Why Wasn't Libya Hearing on Page A1 of Times? - Margaret Sullivan, NYT
Arlen Specter: A One of a Kind Senator - Eleanor Clift, The Daily Beast
Sunday Panels: FOX News Sunday | MTP | Face the Nation | This Week
USA Today Shocker: 'Obama, Romney Nearly Tied in Electoral College' (USA)
At the Corner of Hope and Worry - Dan Barry, New York Times
Obama, Romney Nearly Tied in Electoral College - David Jackson, USAT
President's Health Care Law Gets My Vote - Clancy Sigal, The Guardian
Obama Needs a Momentum Shift Now - Jonathan Tobin, Commentary
Chronicling Mitt Romney's Mendacity - Steve Benen, MSNBC
Mitt Romney Might Just Save America - Piers Morgan, Daily Mail
Obama Must Make the Case for His Policies - Joe Klein, Time
Denying the Libya Scandal - Andrew McCarthy, National Review
Why Wasn't Libya Hearing on Page A1 of Times? - Margaret Sullivan, NYT
Arlen Specter: A One of a Kind Senator - Eleanor Clift, The Daily Beast
Sunday Panels: FOX News Sunday | MTP | Face the Nation | This Week
Obama to be more aggressive in second debate vs. Romney, advisers say(NYP)

Tom Brokaw Says President Obama Must Answer For $1.1 Trillion Deficit ‘That Happened On His Watch’




Saturday

Mitt Romney continues to surge in swing state polls as candidates focus on Ohio(NYP) * Obama’s laughing liar(NYP Ed) * After Benghazi Attack, Private Security Hovers as an Issue(NYP) * Missouree? Missouruh? To Be Politic, Say Both(NYT) * Voter Rolls Are Called Vulnerable to Hackers in 2 States(NYT) * VP Debate Renews Focus on Libya(WSJ) The White House's shifting explanations about the fatal attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya spilled overnight from the vice-presidential debate to the presidential race. * Romney and Obama focus on debate preparations(WSJ)

Washington Post: “Romney Tries to Bury Obama in Ads”
Wall Street Journal: “VP Debate Renews Focus on Libya”
Associated Press: “Romney and Obama Focus on Debate Preparations”
Politico: “Rand Paul Gets in the 2012 Game”
The Hill: “Race Tightens for Swing States”

Romney on the Rise in Ohio - Joe Vardon, Columbus Dispatch
GOP's Demographics Problem - Renee Loth, Boston Globe
Election Could Come Down to Women - Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times

The Obama Campaign Is in a Free Fall - Rick Wilson, Ricochet
Dems Take Heart From VP Debate - Paul Waldman, American Prospect
Who's Actually "Politicizing" Benghazi? - Mark Steyn, National Review
White House Defends Obama, Biden on Libya - Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy
Obama's Got Drama Now - Mickey Kaus, The Daily Caller
Biden's Conviction Carried the Day Against Ryan - Robert Reich, Salon
Bombastic Blather Will Fool No One - Michael Goodwin, New York Post
Senate Dems Bank on Women - Eleanor Clift, The Daily Beast
Why QE3 Is Destined to Disappoint - Nouriel Roubini, Project Syndicate

Fed May Be Helping Banks More Than Borrowers - Danielle Douglas, WP
Dem Dreams of Big Wins in Illinois Fading - James Warren, Daily Beast
Fightback on Voting Rights - Ari Berman, The Nation
Nobel Committee Embarrasses Itself - Again - Max Hastings, Daily Mail
Biden Gave Dems the Show They Wanted - Jonathan Cohn, New RepublicThe Bully vs. the Wonk - Wall Street JournalA Debate With Clarity and Fervor - New York Times Good TV, But a Dull Debate - Washington PostObama Admin's Bloody Failure in Benghazi - New York PostShot Fired at Obama Headquarters in Colorado(NY Mag)\Romney Hopes to Bury Obama in Ads(Daily Beast)Romney says White House is 'doubling down on denial' about Libya attack(Wash Post)

Romney, GOP escalate charges(Wash Post)
Ryan: WH should label China currency manipulator (CBS)
Morgan Freeman Narrates Latest Obama Ad

Rupert Murdoch Predicts ‘Nightmare for Israel if Obama Wins,‘ Accuses White House of ’Still Lying About Benghazi’ (The Blaze)
Romney’s Economist(NYT)
Colleges Take a Leap Into Voter Registration(NYT)

A critical week that might actually merit the label(Wash Post)

Ad surge being driven by Romney, allies(Wash Post)
Bill Clinton, Springsteen to campaign for Obama in Ohio Wash Post

Bill Clinton's back in the campaign game big time(Business Week)

Bruce Springsteen, Bill Clinton To Campaign For Obama In Ohio(Huff Post)
A Harrowing Firsthand Account Of The Attack In Libya (BuzzFeed)
Stephanie Cutter Is a Messenger Who Does the Shooting for Obama (NYT)
@PaulRyanVP attacks the Obama admin for delaying a report on currency manipulation in China. 

An Irish Catholic Wake-Up(Dowd, NYT)
The Mystery of Benghazi(NYT) Why did the White House fumble the aftermath of the Libya attack? \
A Critical Week for Election 2012 - Dan Balz, Washington Post
Romney Surge in Ohio Recalibrates Race - Sam Youngman, Reuters
Contest Tight in a Dozen Battlegrounds - Jonathan Easley, The Hill
Now It's Obama's Turn to Win the Debate - Michael Tomasky, Daily Beast
Reality Is Why Obama Is in Big Trouble - Matt Continetti, Free Beacon
Obama's Messenger Who Does the Shooting - Amy Chozick, NY Times
State Rejects White House Story on Benghazi - John Hinderaker, PowerLine
Benghazi Debacle a Perfect Storm for Obama - Walter Russell Mead, TAI
Why We Need ObamaCare - Nicholas Kristof, New York Times
Why the Largest Banks Are a Problem - George Will, Washington Post
Election '12: National Polls | RCP Electoral Map | Create Your Own Map
Romney Campaign Accuses the White House of ‘Doubling Down’ on Libya ‘Denial’(NY Mag)
Million Muppet March' Planned To Protest Mitt(Huff Post)
The big dog in his natural habitat: Clinton on the campaign trail(Wash Post)
Newt Gingrich: 'Clear' That Obama Team Had Biden Lie About Benghazi
 

 

Maher, Schweitzer, And Ben Affleck Clash With Rep. Issa Over Obama Admin. Response To Libya Attacks

 

Justice Story: Teddy Roosevelt survives assassin when bullet hits folded speech in his pocket  (NYDN) 'It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose,' he tells crowd -- with bullet still lodged in his ribs

 Law and Order

Roosevelt Avenue, a Corridor of Vice(NYT) On Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, illicit activities like prostitution remain a stubborn presence, shifting and adapting despite police efforts to drive them out.







 Back in April 1964, like a horrifying urban-jungle version of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” Whitmore began a nearly decade-long ramble through the justice system that still boggles the mind.

Who Will Mourn George Whitmore?(NYT) Forty-eight years ago, as a New York City teenager, Whitmore was initiated into an ordeal at the hands of a racist criminal justice system. For a time, his story rattled the news cycle. He was chewed up and spit out: an ill-prepared kid vilified as a murderer, then championed as an emblem of injustice and, finally, cast aside. That he survived his tribulations and lived to the age of 68 was a miracle.

Hands off the NYPD  (NYDN)Imagine the scene: A police officer sees a man who is furtively stalking a woman. The man keeps a hand in a jacket pocket, suggesting to the cop that he could very well be armed. The officer stops the man for questioning. He may now: 1. Pat the man down to verify whether he is indeed armed.  2. Ask the man’s permission to conduct a patdown and back off if the man refuses.

Honor for Army National Guardsman gunned down by NYPD(NYP) * Driver Shot by Detective Gets Funeral of a Soldier(NYT) * Shooting Victim Is Mourned(WSJ) *Funeral For Man Killed During Queens Traffic Stop(NY1) * GCP Shooting Victim Noel Polanco Posthumously Promoted At WCBS)

64-year-old, 12 others arrested in gun-smuggling bust(NYP) * Police Say They Busted Two Major East Harlem Gun Trafficking Rings(NY1)
Suspected serial bank robber caught by MTA police(NYDN)

Couple shot dead by woman's ex-boyfriend, after she begged for her life, at Bx. motel(NYP) * Man and Woman Fatally Shot at Bronx Motel(NYT) * Man, Woman Found Dead Outside Bronx Motel(WCBS) * Ex was begging for her life in Bronx motel slay(NYP) * Police ID Suspect In Bronx Motel Shooting(NY1 



Jurors see pics of bloody corkscrew Portugese model used to castrate his elderly lover(NYP)

NYPD: Teen Attacks Another Teen With Homemade Jalapeno Pepper(WCBS) * Teen Stabbed at Baldwin High School(NYDN)* Girl Attacked With Homemade Pepper Spray Near School(NBC) * Man stabbed to death during fight in Borough Park(NYP) * Man fatally stabbed in Brooklyn(WABC) * Man Stabbed To Death In Borough Park; Police Look For Alleged(NY1) * Man stabbed after S.I. football game(NYDN) * S.I. teen stabbed at football game(Fox 5) * Police search for suspect in Bronx motel shooting(Fox 5)


Terrorism

Mystery in Offer by Terrorist to Cooperate(NYT) According to a court memorandum, Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, the terrorist who was convicted for planning the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, wanted to talk to authorities in 2010.