They Don't Represent Me

The Republican Party in New York State in a well-planned coup, offered leniency, I suspect, to two corrupt Democratic Senators, in exchange for jumping party lines to permit the Republicans to regain control of the Senate and the legislative agenda. Now what comes out is that the ego of another one of these "so-rich-I-can-buy-myself-into office" guys, Tom Golisano, played a role in this turn of events because he felt slighted by Malcolm Smith and helped orchestrate the coup. See the June 9, 2009, New York Times.

Corruption and greed, ah, so familiar.

And add into the mix some racism and patriarchy. Racism, because we are too stupid to see the inefficacy of David Paterson except through a lens of race, and the ineptitude of Malcolm Smith any other way, too. They are just not good politicians, like most of the fools running Albany. We don't look at Joe Bruno or Sheldon Silver, label them Italian or Jewish, and then attribute their mistakes to some ethnic gene. Race is only visible when it's darker. That's the shame of America.

And let's not forget patriarchy and the power of the Catholic Church either. Dean Skelos, that slick haired new majority leader, has an agenda for the legislature that doesn't include same sex marriage or full and accurate medical information about reproductive health.

Revolt! I am writing to my Senator Carl Marcellino and telling him right now that I will do everything legal and feasible to make sure he isn't reelected. He doesn't represent my interests.

Bringing Guantanamo Bay Home

Last night Rachel Maddow interviewed former Guantanamo Bay prosecutor Lt. Col. Darrel Vandeveld in his first American television appearance. Vandeveld is the fourth prosecutor to resign his commission in protest to the conditions and methods used in pursuing "justice" against purported terrorists held in the Cuban prison. The evidence against many of his clients was shoddy, extracted by cruel, inhuman and degrading methods, and assembled in an unprofessional manner. As a career prosecutor, Lt. Col. Vandeveld ended up testifying on behalf of the defense in one of his own cases! His interview is serious, conscientious, and condemning of the treatment and prosecutorial methods. It's hard to watch, but do.

And then consider this: As the budget deficits increase around the country, 43 states are currently in deficit, we need to focus our attention on what is happening in our local jails and prisons. Cost cutting impacts the lives of the men and women held in custody as well as the working conditions of the men and women who work as correctional officers. In New York, we must, absolutely must, get rid of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, which unfairly incarcerate too many young people, especially young people of color, for possession of small amounts of drugs. We need recovery not incarceration. Read The Nation's January 23, 2009 article responding to Gov. David Paterson's apparent retreat from his once strong commitment to reform.

Every time a young person is jailed because of drug and alcohol problems, we engage in intentionally turning depression, hopelessness, and fear, signs of dependency, into criminality that will last a lifetime.

Self-Interest At Its Worst

Rod Blagojevich is making the rounds of the television talk shows while the Illinois legislature begins his impeachment trial.

By trying to equate himself with the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Gandi, Gov. Rod has revealed his true self: self interest. Now that isn't wrong in and of itself. But when it results in poor choices, choices that don't take into account his responsibility to the people of Illinois, then it's wrong. Plain and simple. And Blagojavich's appointment of Roland Burris, in order to play the race card instead of picking a candidate that would truly fill the shoes of Barack Obama in the US Senate, is why he is just a hack politician if not a corrupt one.

And turning to Governor David Paterson of New York. There was no reason to choose Carolyn Kennedy for the position after she revealed herself to be inarticulate and disengaged, and according to the New York Times, not willing to answer questions about her issue positions. I don't believe in dynasties, and certainly, although she might be fabulous in the private sector, Carolyn didn't show what we need for a tough, effective senator to plug for New York's interests in the Senate.

To pull Andrew Cuomo from the Attorney General's position at a time of financial crisis when New York is the heart of the financial crisis seems downright stupid, so I'm glad Gov. Paterson didn't go there.

But he could have gone for someone more inspired than Kirsten Gillibrand, whose efficacy in a conservative Republican district means one thing: Paterson might have more leverage in a re election campaign, his own.

That doesn't mean that Peter King has any moral or legal authority to demand access to Paterson's thinking process. The governor has the right to appoint a new Senator to run out Hillary's term, whether Peter King likes it or not.

But the worst of self interest came out in Alberto Gonzales' interview today about the possibility of the Obama administration prosecuting him and other Bush officials for authorizing torture of "war on terror" suspects. In an interview with NPR radio that was written up in the Chicago Tribune, Gonzales said: I don't think that there's going to be a prosecution, quite frankly. Because again, these activities.... They were authorized, they were supported by legal opinions at the Department of Justice.

Of course, those legal opinions at the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel were written under the instructions of David Addington, counsel to then Vice President Cheney. Not exactly the independent legal opinions that the Office of Legal Counsel are supposed to be giving. Gonzales' statement follows the talking points that Cheney started in the last days of the Bush administration. There is too much evidence to show that the independence of the office was breached.

Appointments--and--Disappointments

So, the appointment of George Mitchell as Middle East envoy is great news for possibilities of peace. After his success in Northern Ireland and his amazingly fair and balanced, the real kind, report on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from 2001, there might be hope for peace. It seems that Obama is willing to speak with everyone.

The disappointment comes from NY Governor David Paterson: the appointment of Kirsten Gillibrand to Hillary Clinton's US Senate seat.

This is another Democrat in the Senate who is anti-gun control and until just a few weeks ago, anti-gay marriage. However, I admit I made a mistake: Gillibrand is supposed to be pro-choice. However, when running she was less than clear as to her views on abortionand access to birth control and medically accurate information.

She did vote against the TARP. Twice.

Unfortunately, Paterson went for a political choice instead of an inspired one. He made a choice so that his re election campaign was more important than having a strong advocate to match Hillary Clinton's views in the Senate.