At least one radio station is running ads by the NYS Democratic Committee putting the Senate Saga clearly on the Republicans who controlled the Senate for 40 years. What ever happened to truth in advertising? If I owned a radio station, I would not accept an advertisement from either side unless they could verify that what was being "sold" was truth. The fact that this station accepted the ad just reaffirms that money talks.

The Democrats in the Senate are currently passing bills, but the Governor will refuse to sign them into law. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/paterson-wont-sign-the-senate.html Will this saga ever end? Maybe there is a bright side to all of this: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/nyc-sales-tax-derailed.html

The United States Senate may soon have similar problems as Minnesota's Supreme Court has ruled that Al Franken has won the long contested Senate race.

Rich Lowry opines on the "cap-and-trade" bill: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06302009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/written_to_fail_176795.htm

And Thomas Sowell write on Obamacare: http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/06/30/alice_in_medical_care
And George Will does also: http://townhall.com/Columnists/GeorgeWill/2009/06/30/a_fix_well_likely_regret

Ralph Peters writes about our Troops leaving Iraq's cities and states in part "And it's a day of vindication for a former president who saw clearly, but spoke poorly (to the delighted mortification of the media).
Now we have a president who expresses himself beautifully, but seems blind to international reality. And it's up to him to determine whether Iraq was a new beginning or a dead end. " Read the rest of his column here: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06302009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/bye_bye__babylon_176790.htm

Maddoff will never get out of jail alive...thankfully the Judge sent a strong message to others. http://www.nypost.com/seven/06292009/news/regionalnews/sentencing_today_for_bernie_madoff_176707.htm

Supreme Court Nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, lost again in a Supreme Court review of her decision in the New Haven, Ct reverse discrimination case. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090629/D994GMG82.html

And all citizens lost in the Congressional vote on "Cap and Trade" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124597505076157449.html The US Senators must be educated this summer when they are home...your work is cut out for you.
http://townhall.com/columnists/MyronEbell/2009/06/29/waxman-markey_is_hilarious,_but_the_joke_is_on_us

http://townhall.com/columnists/HarryRJacksonJr/2009/06/29/congress_votes_for_bad_weather


Do you think NY State Senators will be going home this summer? I'm certain, many will be getting an earful on what is not going on in the State Senate, but unfortunately many whose actions are the most disgraceful run in districts where their constituents do not follow the shenanigans of Albany no matter how well it is publicized.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Well, this has been an eventful week. With Michael Jackson’s death pushing Gov. Mark Sanford off of center stage and completely taking over the news cycle, we probably won’t be hearing much about anything else, at least for this weekend.

But there’s still plenty going on in New York, as we saw this week... and still a lot of questions about what will happen in the coming weeks and months, and the coming year.

Will Gov. Paterson get credit for signing a good bill into law?

I hope so: http://tinyurl.com/ltvj3v

This is the legislation that Andrew Cuomo spoke about at our CPPAC gathering this past February. That caused quite a stir – but it just goes to show that good ideas like streamlining our state’s government and lower taxes can win support from across the political spectrum. This is a victory for the Conservative Party, and for taxpayers.

Will the NY Senate ever get back to normal?

Supposedly there’s a deal in the works – the whole saga might be resolved before you finish reading this... or not.
http://tinyurl.com/nwwwfw

Who will run for Governor?

Seems like Rick Lazio is definitely in...
http://tinyurl.com/lzrkpn

Rudy Giuliani continues to raise his profile...
http://tinyurl.com/kt36nl

And of course, there’s the simmering Cuomo/Paterson battle...
http://tinyurl.com/m5engm

What about the U.S. Senate?

Kirsten Gillibrand could be in trouble...
http://tinyurl.com/nzq7gc

Peter King’s numbers are probably lower than he would like right now against both Gillibrand and Maloney – but that will change once the campaign gets into high gear, and the two Democrats go on the attack against each other and more voters start paying attention. Of course, all this is IF Rep. King actually decides to run.

Will taxes, gas prices and electric bills skyrocket?

Yes, if President Obama and the Democrats in Washington pass the Waxman-Markey climate change bill. The Heritage Foundation has some good analysis of this bill’s true impact – and how the liberals are twisting the facts to get their way.

http://tinyurl.com/nuw5hr

Do the Democrats stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?

Not if they’re throwing a political temper tantrum...
http://tinyurl.com/l3jxo3

What a disgrace, especially as we get ready to celebrate Independence Day – and especially as courageous people in Iran are rising up and risking their lives for the basic freedoms we too often take for granted.

The Conservative Party made news exposing the Democrats’ blatant disregard for our flag and our Pledge. Check it out here...
http://tinyurl.com/locwuf

Enjoy your weekend, and if you’re traveling this week for the July 4th holiday, be safe and have fun.

To quote Liz Benjamin "And the Albany version of Groundhog Day continues."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/#ixzz0JTKntrEj&C
And the Times Union's recap of today's Session: http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/16148/baby-steps-and-two-extraordinary-session-for-the-price-of-one/#respond

More from Liz Benjamin: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/speed-sessions.html#comments

WINS New York is reporting there is a deal ... so far nothing is on any of the blogs in Albany...
will keep you posted if something pops up.

Karl Rove on Obamacare: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124588632634150501.html
and one more on Obamacare: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124588779662250705.html#mod=loomia?loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r3:c0.16002:b26057578

While the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) has reported that the average household will only have to pay an additional $175 per year by 2020...this article says don't believe their estimate:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124588837560750781.html

And this under "is the honeymoon over" label: http://townhall.com/Columnists/CalThomas/2009/06/25/the_presidents_news_conference

If you plan to watch the ABC Primetime on President Obama's Health Care Reforms as drafted by Senators Kennedy and Dodd, you may want to read former Lt. Governor Betsy McCaughey's article in today's Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/06/24/2009-06-24_how_health_care_reforms_will_mess_with_your_coverage.html

And it continues! Was yesterday's session legal? Will there be a session today? It was supposed to start a half hour ago. Justice McNamara denied a Republican request for a TRO. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/mcnamara-to-senate-gop-no-tro.html#co Guess we will just have to wait. Will the Senate Democrats stand for the Pledge of Allegiance today? Or will they continue to dishonor their Flag? (see earlier post)

This just in: They came, they gaveled in, they left. Read more here: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/mini-session.html#comments


The residents of the first Congressional District seem to be a little restless with their Congressman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq5mWkF5zuo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emeetup%2Ecom%2FCSA%2D1776%2DMeetup%2DGroup%2Fboards%2Fthread%2F7144120%2F&feature=player_embedded and might we add, rightfully so.

Interesting article by ACU's Donald Devine: http://acuf.org/issues/issue134/090620news.asp

And more must reads on Obamacare: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124579852347944191.html
http://townhall.com/Columnists/MichelleMalkin/2009/06/24/whos_funding_the_obamacare_campaign

While Glenn Beck has a new book entitled "Common Sense" it is Thomas Sowell who has been espousing common sense for decades: http://townhall.com/Columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/06/24/another_good_thing

Get ready for another bazaar day in Albany! While much has been written about the shennigans that took place, many have not reported the absolutely disgraceful behaviour of the New York State Democrats: When the republicans began with the Pledge of Allegiance....THEY REMAINED IN THEIR SEATS! In fact, Marcia Kramer of CBS News reports that when one democrat tried to stand, he was pulled down! http://wcbstv.com/politics/espada.senate.albany.2.1056280.html

New York State elected officials refusing to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance and the News is not reporting it? How many Americans have died defending our Flag and all that it stands for and the Press, on the most part, does not report this? It should be front page news!

Irene Jay Liu, the Albany Times Union blogger, fortunately has a video http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/15993/video-of-senate-gop-regular-session/ of the Democrats sitting on their bottoms. Watch it asap, because the way things are...it may disappear.

A special thank you to Irene Jay Liu and Marcia Kramer for reporting on this shameful action.

If you receive NY1 on your cable station, you will be able to watch Chairman Long on NY 1 this evening at 7:00 PM

The Governor called for a special session in the Senate today, but failed to send up the bills to be debated or passed. Just another day at the Capitol. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/locked-in.html

But wait... They just let the Republicans in: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/senate-session-1.html

Will someone lock the doors now and not let anyone out until this is resolved? Of course, that would be in violation of fire laws, so I guess we will just have to stay tuned!

Wait...this just in: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/bills-arrive-diaz-sr-unloads-o.html#comments no comments on if any agreement is reached...only that they seem to be doing the laundry list of bills sent by the Governor however...the Republicans recessed earlier...so who is voting and will the votes stand?


Health Care, on the federal level seems to be losing some momentum thanks to articles like the one written by former NY State Lt. Governor, Betsy McCaughey, an expert in the health field:
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/06/08/downgrading-american-medical-c

Another excellent article by Thomas Sowell: http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/06/23/republicans_in_the_wilderness

Today is supposed to be the last day of the legislative Session...but with the third week of the Senate stalemate beginning...one can surmise the end is nowhere in sight. What was the Governor thinking over the weekend? http://www.nypost.com/seven/06222009/postopinion/editorials/a_duncecap_for_david_175411.htm

Sen. Thomas Duane drew a line in the sand on Friday: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/duanes-ultimatum.html

I always believed that a leopard can not change its stripes, however Senator Gillibrand is trying to prove me wrong: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06212009/postopinion/editorials/gillys_sellout_tour_175367.htm

Banking overhaul is fast-tracked: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D98SUIC80&show_article=1

Is Government Health Care Constitutional?
The right to privacy conflicts with rationing and regulation. Read more here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124562948992235831.html

As the situation in Iran becomes more unstable, please take the time to contact President Obama at 202-456-1111 (or any of his favorite social sites like Twitter or Facebook especially on these as the Iranians will be aware of our support) and tell him: America must support these brave, courageous Iranians.

Weekly Wrap-Up

This week ABC continued to earn its nickname, the “All Barack Channel.”

This coming up Wednesday, ABC will run a primetime special live from the White House called “Questions for the President: Prescription for America” – basically an “infomercial” for the Obama Administration’s plans for government-run health care.

http://tinyurl.com/nh5sgh

Dissenting views on the idea of socialized medicine will be strictly limited. And according to FOX, this controversy hits “just as a new study finds ABC News coverage of the president's health care plan is favorable by a ratio of 3 to 1.”

So you probably won’t be hearing much on ABC about the fact that, as The Washington Times puts it in a must-read editorial, “Free health care is a very expensive proposition.”

http://tinyurl.com/myno22

The focus of this editorial is one of this week’s top news stories: “On Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the cost of the Kennedy-Dodd health care bill would run to at least $1.6 trillion over 10 years...”

The Times also makes a great point that’s not being discussed enough: “The administration systematically has underestimated the costs. In particular, it has ignored the very basic fact that if health care is provided for free, more of it will be demanded. That surely is a way to generate more unnecessary expenditures.”

Do you think we’ll hear more details about the astronomical cost of free health care this Wednesday on ABC? Neither do I.

But maybe we need more prime-time news specials from ABC. I have a few ideas...

ABC could do a live special from sunny Hawaii, on the new ground-to-air missile defenses being moved there in response to new threats from North Korea.

http://tinyurl.com/n22834

Question for the President: Is now a good time to be slashing defense spending, and cutting America’s missile defense capabilities?

Or, how about live reports from some of the most wasteful stimulus projects detailed in a new report from Senator Tom Coburn?

http://tinyurl.com/lam8ab

ABC could visit the John Murtha Airport in Pennsylvania, a rarely used facility (named for a sitting member of Congress being investigated for ethics violations) that will receive $800,000 in stimulus funds to repave a back-up runway.

Or they could broadcast live from the Florida panhandle, where a wildlife “eco-passage” designed to help turtles safely cross the road is receiving $3.4 million from taxpayers.

Question for the President: Do you think this is the best use of MY tax dollars?

Wherever you’re going this weekend, have a great one!

Maybe if the State Senate resolves its dilemma it will stop raining...or would that be too much of a coincidence? Looks like Sen. Espada will have primary challengers next year. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/a-possible-primary-foe-for-ped.html#comments ... isn't that a surprise!

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is joining his fellow Democrats in the Senate in calling for Republicans to accept a power-sharing agreement in the upper house.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/silver-weighs-in.html#comments#ixzz0Inluv5TN&C Assemblyman Silver would allow that in his house? Mr. Speaker, what is good for the goose is good for the gander......When will you allow for power sharing in your house?

Cal Thomas has a good analysis of the upcoming ABC "news"cast from the White House... http://townhall.com/Columnists/CalThomas/2009/06/18/from_newsroom_to_bedroom

And speaking of Health Care, Karl Rove's article in the Wall Street Journal states in part: "Republican credibility on health care depends on whether the party offers positive alternatives that build on the strengths of American medicine. As long as the choice was between reform and the status quo, the public was likely to go with the reformers. But if the debate is whether to go with costly, unnecessary reforms or with common-sense changes, then Republicans have a chance to appeal to fiscally conservative independents and Democrats and win this one." Read his article here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124528299115425463.html

Since we all know what a wonderful program Medicaid is we thought you would enjoy the following assessment of Obamacare: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124528251402125409.html

And one more http://fixhealthcarepolicy.com/in-the-news/feulners-open-letter-to-obama-on-health-care/#more-420

No new news on the continuing saga of the state Senate. The Blogs have a few items, but nothing has been resolved and there is no scheduled session. It's anyone guess as to how long this will continue...



In Washington, DC it is another story.... the administration is doing all it can to change America as we knew it. The America that became the beacon of the free world, where anyone could be anything they set out to be...where industry was its strength and the ideas and dreams of ordinary people put men on the moon and the entire world at our fingertips and found cures for horrific diseases and has a standard of living the envy of the world ... that America is being changed by daily by an administration that seems to think everything America accomplished was trivial. He can make America truly great by changing America: http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2009/06/17/obama_spells_out_major_financial_rules_overhaul

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124524649229423271.html


http://townhall.com/Columnists/TerryJeffrey/2009/06/17/obama_there_are_countries_where_a_single-payer_system_works_pretty_well

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06172009/postopinion/editorials/the_lawyers_cut_174619.htm

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06172009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/borrowing_til_the_nation_breaks__174580.htm

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124520327436821723.html

So with all that Washington, DC is doing to change America, perhaps it isn't so bad that there is no session upcoming for the state Senate.

It's finally over. Supreme Court Justice Thomas McNarama's has acted - as he said he would - and dismissed the case brought by the Senate Democrats. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/#ixzz0IcGDPZPq&C ... but wait...will they appeal?

It isn't only New York papers reporting on the continuing saga in Albany: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/15/AR2009061502832.html

While Albany struggles with who is in charge, it is obvious that the current administration has no doubt who is in charge...and won't let anyone forget that it is President Obama. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124511811033017539.html For someone who campaigned on having an open administration, he certainly does not practice what he preached. Do I dare say that is what happens when you spend 20 years with a pastor you do not listen to?

Will there be any private industry when President Obama's term ends? While he says he does not want national health care, how can we believe what he says? The Galen Institute http://www.galen.org/component,8/action,show_content/id,13/blog_id,1219/category_id,2/type,33/
writes about his speech to the AMA and also writes about Medicare: A Model Mess http://www.galen.org/component,8/action,show_content/id,13/blog_id,1220/category_id,6/type,33/#

Drudge is reporting that ABC News will report from the White House next week (06/24/09) http://www.drudgereport.com/flashaot.htm and the Politico is reporting that the stimulus is serving up Obama Pork: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23777.html

Thanks to Thomas Sowell for another excellent column: http://townhall.com/Columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/06/16/equality_or_pay-back

And this just in... Gov Paterson will act as the Lt. Governor? http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/patersons-solution-ill-act-as.html

Things are still in a quagmire in the State Senate, Justice McNamara has adjourned the case until Tuesday at 10:00 AM, just for the record, the third time he has done so. As of now, there is a new position among the 31 democrats (Yes, Sen. Monserrata has rejoined the fold) and it belongs to Sen. John Sampson (Kings County). He is now the "conference leader" and Sen. Smith as the president and majority leader according the the 31 that stand shoulder to shoulder.

Some articles of interest: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/nyregion/14democracy.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=Governor%20David%20Paterson&st=cse

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06152009/news/regionalnews/monserrate_switches_back_to_democrats_174379.htm

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/in_the_right/2009/06/will-new-york-republicans-roll.html


This one is exceptionally good: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/06/14/2009-06-14_the_big_power_grab_failing_feds_floundering_states_extend_their_tentacles.html

One more on spending: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06152009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_spending_threat_174316.htm

If you think you are alone as a conservative, take heart: http://www.gallup.com/poll/120857/Conservatives-Single-Largest-Ideological-Group.aspx

Weekly Wrap-Up

Well, let’s see – did anything interesting or exciting happen in New York this week? Let me check...

The Senate spectacle is this week’s top story, of course:

(http://tinyurl.com/lk32oc).

Seems like there’s a new twist every minute with this saga – judges are being brought in, allegations are being made, doors are being locked and unlocked. There’s no telling how it will eventually turn out.

If you know me, you know I always enjoy a good political fight – so I give the Senate credit for at least keeping things interesting.

And I’m all for a brazen parliamentary maneuver – IF it is done for the right reasons... as a stand on principle, or as a last-ditch measure to stop bad policies.

I’m not convinced that’s what this is all about – but if this whole show takes away any momentum from the Democrats’ plans for higher taxes or more spending, it will be at least partly successful.

I don’t buy Gov. Paterson’s self-righteous outrage that this Senate circus is distracting from “critical issues that need to be addressed.” Give me a break.

These issues aren’t new. To give you just two obvious examples, taxes have been too high, and spending has been too reckless, for years. I’m happy to say the Conservative Party has been the only party that’s paid any serious attention to these problems over the past several years.

And if the liberals’ idea of “addressing” these issues is to raise taxes, spend more money and do Big Labor’s bidding, I’ll be more than happy to see these issues go unaddressed.

I’ve heard it said that these Senators “need to act like grownups.” True enough – but is it “grownup” behavior to go hog wild spending other people’s money, and live far beyond their means? Because that’s what the folks in Albany have been doing for some time now.

We'll see how this whole spectacle will play out – but Republicans need to remember this: The best way to get a majority in the Senate is to win elections. You do that by running on principle, and giving voters a real alternative to the status quo – NOT by running as a watered-down version of the other party.

This week we saw new poll numbers showing that a vast majority of New Yorkers think our state is on the wrong path (http://tinyurl.com/mctte8). Show them a better way, Republicans, and you’ll get your majority fair and square.

In the meantime, there are some laughs to be had out of all this. According to Newsday, “Espada met Skelos at the locked chamber door, opening it with a key that Democrats said Espada shouldn’t have had. However, the pair didn’t have a key for the drawer where bills are kept, so no votes could be taken.”

Sounds like a couple of teenagers trying to get into dad’s liquor cabinet.

And here’s a nice silver lining to all this: “Skelos led Republicans to the Senate chamber,” Newsday reports, “through about 100 jeering protesters from Citizen Action and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.” That’s ACORN – and if they’re upset about this whole thing, there has to be something good about it.

This weekend New Yorkers can look forward to a more enjoyable spectacle – the Yankees vs. the Mets. The Yanks are coming off another loss to the Red Sox, while the Mets are trying to bounce back after some tough losses to the Phillies.

No courts deciding these games, fortunately – and I doubt there will be any coup against either manager. Just some good baseball. I’m looking forward to it... and I hope you enjoy your weekend, whatever you have planned.

Day four and it continues... http://www.nypost.com/seven/06112009/postopinion/editorials/albany_held_hostage_173701.htm
nothing is resolved as of now. http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/06/11/2009-06-11_judge_rules_against_democrats_in_albany_gop_holds_session_without_them.html

It is seldom that the Times Union Editorial Board writes anything that we agree with, but we must say that the fact that they state that until the member items are done away with reform won't come to Albany...they are certainly right to call for the elimination of member items. http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=809074&category=OPINION


Switching to the international scene: "To be sure, decades of incessant revolutionary activity has taken its toll on the Iranian people, the vast majority of whom were born after 1979. Apart from having to live under a regime where political opposition is brutally oppressed, adulterers are regularly stoned to death, and the limbs of petty criminals amputated in public, the vast majority of ordinary Iranians do not desire to live in a country that is regarded as an international pariah and is constantly subjected to the privations of economic sanctions." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124458910646499883.html

The Obama administration likes to spend, spend, spend...nothing new, but now he wants to pay as you go...is he just telling people what he thinks they want to hear? http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124467627264104053.html

What we can do to stop "Obamacare"...recommendations from Karl Rove http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124467554761003983.html#mod=loomia?loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r2:c0.318971:b25219254

Finally, if you were unable to make the Stand 4 Marriage Rally in Albany on Tuesday, and you are in the Long Island area, there will be one in Hauppauge on this Saturday, June 13 from 2-4 pm at the Perry Duryea NYS Office Building, 250 Veterans Memorial Highway. Rev. Jason McGuire of the NYers for Constitutional Freedoms and Maggie Gallagher of National Organization for Marriage will be among the speakers. For more information contact: Pastor Bruce Bennett (631) 806-0606.

Day three of the new NY Senate and it seems that the citizens of New York will be the losers. So many different reports and blogs reporting this one is crossing over, no this one is....maybe this one will...that everyone is looking for hard answers and none are found....yet. The Daily News Editorial http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/06/10/2009-06-10_beneath_contempt_billionaire_tom_golisano_is_the_worst_of_a_vile_crew_in_the_alb.html state their opinion as does the New York Post http://www.nypost.com/seven/06102009/postopinion/editorials/end_the_circus__now_173455.htm
and Jacob Gershman has a few thoughts on the situation
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06102009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/albanys_airheads_173410.htm
and Fred Dicker has his analysis http://www.nypost.com/seven/06102009/news/columnists/hapless_gov_getting_what_he_asked_for_173421.htm

Citizens of New York should seriously consider term limits...oh wait a minute...the citizens of New York City twice voted for term limits only to have their decision turned over by elected officials who believe they know better than us. "Houston, we have a problem" only this time the problem is far more difficult to resolve than getting Apollo 13 home!

In other news http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124458888993599879.html interest rates may be going up soon.

Just when you don't want to read anything else along comes Rush Limbaugh to remind us why America is the greatest nation and we will always be the hope of the world. http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_060909/content/01125115.guest.html

What a way to begin a week in Albany ....Who is the Senate Leader? http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/amigo-unrest-sparks-senate-war.html#comments

In other news from Liz Benjamin http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/06/08/2009-06-08_gov_courts_bruno_for_crossaisle_nups_help.html

You may be scrutinized if you are a friend of Senator Chris Dodd: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06082009/postopinion/editorials/friends_of_chris_173065.htm

"GM" is now Government Mandates?? http://www.nypost.com/seven/06082009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/gm__thats_govt_mandates

And more on Obama's plan for health care: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124442772329993085.html

Weekly Wrapup

Apologies are all the rage these days, thanks to President Barack Obama (http://tinyurl.com/pjg385). So I’d like to end this week with some apologies of my own.

First, new unemployment numbers were just released by the Labor Department (http://tinyurl.com/p65nkd), and though layoffs have slowed, the news is not good: “With companies in no mood to hire, the U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 9.4 percent in May, the highest in more than 25 years.”

I want to apologize to anyone who believed the Obama Administration spin that this year’s “stimulus” bill would immediately create jobs. Sorry, but you’ve been had.

I’d also like to apologize to Rep. Charlie Rangel, for thinking his ethical problems couldn’t get any worse. We should never underestimate him, as The New York Post reports (http://tinyurl.com/qepvsg):

“The House ethics committee is looking into yet another possible breach of ethics by Rep. Charles B. Rangel, just as the New York Democrat was gearing up to appear before the panel to defend himself against several pending charges of breaking congressional rules.”

The newest ethical lapse? A Caribbean “conference” that may have actually been a corporate giveaway to members of Congress.

And before I have to apologize for not giving all of New York’s politicians their due, let me note that, as the Post reports, “New York Rep. Yvette Clarke is among the six House members who attended the conference, according to ethics filings.”

Let me go ahead and apologize to the media for suspecting that they’re not going to pay too much attention to any ethics violations committed by liberals in Congress.

I must also apologize for thinking that our fearless leaders in Albany were the least bit serious about reforming our state’s ethics system (http://tinyurl.com/pu2u3z).

According to The New York Times, “Gov. David A. Paterson shelved his plan to overhaul the state’s ethics oversight commission on Wednesday after Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver unveiled a far different proposal that would preserve the Legislature’s tradition of regulating itself.”

I apologize for laughing as I read this story – but can we be expected to take Sheldon Silver’s plan seriously? The Times says this “complex proposal... would create four commissions charged with ethics and lobbying oversight of the executive branch and the Legislature.” Big Government to the rescue, right?

The laughs keep coming. According to the Times, “The plan would...create a special commission for the Assembly, similar to the Office of Congressional Ethics in the United States House of Representatives.”

That’s right: Sheldon wants to use the U.S. Congress as a model for ethics oversight. Maybe he and Charlie Rangel can go to the Caribbean for a “conference” on this bright idea?

Here’s the punch line: “Members of the new commission would be appointed by the Assembly’s leaders.” Sorry, but this leaves me speechless.

Have a great weekend!

A quick reminder to all of our followers...On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, thousands will stand for marriage on the East Steps of the Capitol in Albany, NY, beginning at 10:30 AM. Please make every effort to join the Coalition to Save Marriage (http://www.savemarriageny.org/) on the East Steps of the Capitol. Ask you friends and family to stand with us as well. If you need more information, send us an email at: cpnys@nybiz.rr.com.

More from Thomas Sowell on the Sotomayor nomination: http://townhall.com/Columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/06/04/out_of_context_part_iii

Karl Rove uses a phrase from the past in his weekly column: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124407228244683091.html

"President Barack Obama is already looking at a wide range of other potential tax increases, including higher income tax rates, restrictions on itemized deductions, an energy tax, and higher payroll tax rates. Even if they all became law, the revenues would not come close to satisfying his and Congress's appetite for bigger government, particularly a government-run health-care scheme, " writes Daniel J. Mitchell for WSJ on line. Read about the other tax being considered in the land of oz: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124407379245683253.html

And if the article above isn't enough to give you cause for concern, read this: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124407155034283023.html

Don't worry if all of the above makes you sick, Jack Layton, the head of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), is meeting with Obama administration officials this week to try to help mold Obama's working healthcare plan into something that resembles Canada's. http://townhall.com/columnists/JillianBandes/2009/06/03/canadian_healthcare_coming_to_america

"This week, Barack Hussein Obama endeavored to appease the world's most dangerous fascist movement since the Third Reich. Islam has long provided safe haven for the Islamist movement of "Jihadistan," that borderless nation of countless jihadis devoted to the destruction of the West and the imposition of a worldwide caliphate and Shariah law. If we seek to appease this abominable movement rather than confront it, the world most certainly will, as Churchill warned, "sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age." Read more here: http://patriotpost.us/

"Weakening New York's supposedly "draconian" Rockefeller-era drug laws was always a risky proposition. " http://www.nypost.com/seven/06032009/postopinion/editorials/a_rocky_reform_loophole_172281.htm

Happy to know that the NY Post agrees with the legislative memo we issued on this bill yesterday.

"THE government effectively owns General Motors and controls Chrysler. Uncle Sam owns majority stakes in American International Group, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and controls large chunks of the banking industry.
Also, President Obama wants government to take over the business of student loans. And he's pushing for nationalized health care." Read more of Jonah Goldberg's article here: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06032009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/please__just_dont_call_it_socialism_172285.htm?page=0

"As Brooklyn Sen. Kevin Parker joins the growing list of indicted state lawmakers, it's time to face a disturbing fact. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/columnists/hammond/index.html#ixzz0HO2aWzPY&B"

"As the mainstream media circles the wagons around Judge Sonia Sotomayor, to protect her from the consequences of her own words and deeds, its main arguments are distractions from the issue at hand." Read more of Thomsa Sowell here: http://townhall.com/Columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/06/03/out_of_context_part_ii

Not sure if we are dumbing down our citizens? Read this: http://townhall.com/Columnists/WalterEWilliams/2009/06/03/dumbest_generation_getting_dumber

"WHEN a right- wing Christian vigilante kills, millions of fingers pull the trigger. When a left-wing Muslim vigilante kills, he kills alone." So begins Michelle Malkin's article. More here: http://www.nypost.com/seven/06032009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/double_standard_172269.htm


Did you attend our 47th Annual Dinner? If so, check here www.rlgmedia.com/client_index.html to find your picture and order it. Use your card to enter the site...if you have lost the card, just shoot us an email and we will get you the information.

"NEW York state's pension system lost 26 percent on its investments and shrunk by a net $45 billion in fiscal 2008-09, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli disclosed last week," this begins E. J. McMahon's latest article on the Pension System. http://www.nypost.com/seven/06012009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/nys_pension_peril_171872.htm

If you didn't make it to our 47th Annual Dinner last Thursday night, you can read about it here:
http://www.politickerny.com/3787/collins-lazio-up-front-conservative-party-dinner