Newspapers critique yesterdays legislative session here, here and here. Sadly, the special session did not cut spending, kicking the can down the road, once again. Unfortunately, they did cave to naysayers on hydrofracking for another six months.

Disregarding the fact that New York is operating in the red, the Members voted to create a Commission to Review Judicial Salaries. The self-serving statement by the President of the NYS Bar Association is here. Question for you Mr. Younger...do candidates know the salary when they vie for the position? Even after serving 14 years (without a raise) they (Supreme Court Justices) still seek re-election; can't be that bad financially.

Looks more and more like the Senate will change hands in January as Sen. Thompson concedes. Two seats in the Senate remain undecided; Oppenheimer appears to retain her seat while Johnson appears to have lost his. In the Assembly, former Assemblyman Kirwan is up by 146 votes and if he holds on to his lead, it will be major news as Speaker Silver will no longer have a veto proof majority.

Serious problems in the first congressional district in Suffolk County.

The NY Post Editorial opines on how the cigarette taxes fuel the black market to every ones detriment.

Obama's plausible beginning with some comments by leaders.

Thomas Sowell: Can Republicans Talk?

Could this, should this, be the winning idea for 2012?

We hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving and did lots of shopping to stimulate the economy over the long weekend.

While we were giving Thanks to our Creator and the Freedoms we enjoy, Julian Assange's ego-driven assault on innocent lives via WikiLeaks was taking place. The Heritage Foundation comments on his document dump and Congressman Peter King is calling for WikiLeaks to be classified by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist organization. Let us know what you think in our poll. The Guardian has an article on how Bradley Manning allegedly stole the documents which is very alarming when you consider how easy it was according to Manning.

E. J. McMahon has some more advice for Governor-Elect Cuomo o how to resolve Nassau's fiscal problems.

Using tricks or budgeting maneuvers has only exacerbated what is inevitable. If our elected officials truly understand the financial morass, brace yourselves, for the radio and TV ads will do all that is possible to keep the budget at its present unsustainable level. Need more proof? Read this. Seriously, does New York's Chief Judge live under a rock or just in his own world?

No surprise here as we have blogged about this before. Budget cuts will only make it easier for the black market, of course if they were able to keep a portion of what they collected to pay for the overtime, wouldn't that be a win/win? Letting terrorist profit is the alternative.

Michael Barone writes "Let states go bankrupt" and explains why bailouts for states is not the answer to the inevitable problems.

It will be a good sign that Republicans really get it if Congressman Kingston runs the Appropriations panel.

Gov. Paterson sets ambitious agenda for Monday. Governor-elect Cuomo is supportive of one of the items. Members must know by now that New Yorkers are fed up with the spending spree they have been on and must get down to business by making the necessary cuts, no matter how loud the special interest howl.

The Heritage Foundation has some thoughts on "pat downs" as does Josh Gerstein.

Americans want their Bush tax cuts. Wynton C. Hall has an alternative for those who, like Warren Buffet, want us to pay more.

Most Americans are happy with their present health care. Doctors, however, are running from Medicare.

Tired of junk mail in your computer? Be prepared for more.

Long term consequences are sure to follow this decision.

Michael Goodwin writes about "On Thanksgiving, we should celebrate being American" and of course, we do! While spending time with your families and friends this Thanksgiving, take a moment to thank our Veterans, both active and retired, for our freedoms are guaranteed by their sacrifices. Freedom is not Free and we are most grateful to those who make it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms granted by our Constitution.

Enjoy the weekend, we will return on Monday!

Should be an interesting Congress in January, can't help but support newly elected Tim Scott of South Carolina, who as far as I am concerned has the right idea. Soon to be House Speaker Boehner, and those who believe not raising the debt limit will send chills through the financial system, only encourage the inevitable. When your liberal friends say we have to raise the debt limit, ask the what happens if we have maxed out on our credit cards. Do you ask for increase after increase, until the bank says NO. Had we stopped asking for increases and had a more manageable debt, we could survive, but as long as we increased and spent our limit our repayment schedule becomes greater, therefore making Tim Scott right in his conclusion. Enough of raising the debt limit....take a good look at our "obligations" and eliminate the ones that are no longer real obligations....they can begin with NPR.

Congratulations to Congresswoman-Elect Ann Marie Buerkle!

The Ground Zero Mosque is back in the news again for all the wrong reasons.

Governor-Elect Cuomo is so right on this, but I can't help but ask, where was his voice when the legislation was pending? Instead of calling for "a change" why not state unequivocally that it should be repealed. His remarks this morning indicate that he is willing to fight the good fight, and we, the citizens of New York, must be there to make certain he keeps his word to us.

Does North Korea really think we will believe their version? I would be a lot more comfortable if Ambassador John Bolton was our voice in the United Nations. Bolton is correct in this article prior to North Korea's incredible attack on South Korea.

1199-SEIU and AARP are two organizations that really pushed for government control of health care and insisted on certain mandates. New we read that 1199-SEIU is making cuts to those they cover and AARP employees are facing increased costs for their health insurance; they really took all of us to the cleaners! If there is a next time, I hope everyone rejects their logic because they would never admit they are wrong. Some states are considering opting out of Medicaid due to the prohibitive costs and they do not cover all that New York State does...imagine, for a moment, what New Yorkers could save if New York's Medicaid program only provided the minimum federal options. Hope you are listening, Governor-Elect Cuomo. The Conservative Party will support you when it can and criticize you if you continue the out of control spending New Yorkers have been forced to pay for. Or balancing a budget, knowing full well, you won't collect the sales tax you say you will.

New York state is not alone in its fiscal morass, the feds have an incomprehensible way of trying to solve its spending problem, making it even more difficult for states to resolve theirs.

William Voegeli has an excellent analysis in NRO. And Republican leaders on Capitol Hill want to pink slip the Fannie and Freddie bailouts.

The Heritage Foundation supports Sen. Kyl on the START Treaty.

Anything hammered out by Congressman Henry Waxman is not good for Americans.

Another name from Buffalo making national news.

Saying "No" doesn't make you unpopular.

Weekly Wrap-Up

Osama bin Laden: Not Guilty? That’s what The Washington Times is wondering in the wake of a New York jury’s acquittal of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani. More Times analysis is here.

Compare this to our Times here in New York, and their jubilant response to the verdict.

Times pundit Linda Greenhouse says criticism of this trial “reflects a profound failure of imagination,” whatever that means. “That is what we call getting the job done,” says an NYT editorial. Sure, if the job was to find a terrorist .003% guilty.

Fortunately at least one New York newspaper seems to get it...

Now more than ever, beware of the liberals’ good ideas.

After all, Nancy Pelosi thinks her reign as House Speaker was a “job well done.”

The liberals in Washington think their takeover of GM is a “success story.” The Heritage Foundation explains why that’s not the case.

And the Washington liberals also think raising taxes on a large number of working Americans and small businesses would be an economic success story...

What do you want Congress to do – or NOT do – on the soon-to-expire tax cuts that President Bush signed into law in 2001 and 2003? Vote today in our Weekly Poll.

The best idea I have right now is to enjoy the weekend and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday – and I hope you’ll do the same!

Now will they (Holden and Obama) believe our safety is at stake?

House Ethics Committee recommends censure for Congressman Rangel. Since the censuring of a lawmaker does not carry any particular limitation on powers or privileges afforded to a member of Congress, why did they proceed with this charade?

Some good news from Congress.

Former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey reminds us of some of the provisions in the 20th Amendment, and we couldn't agree more. Another reason why we should listen to Ms. McCaughey.

It really is a shame that Sen. Jay Rockefeller's term is not up until 2014.

We think it is safe to say that Jonathan V. Last won't be hired by President Obama.

George J. Marlin has some advice for Governor-Elect Cuomo.

Considering Judge Lippman's prior ruling regarding the appointment of a Lt. Gov., we should be uncomfortable with Governor-Elect Cuomo's request. Judge Lippman's response does not allay my fear.

So where are all of the gasoline taxes going? To Medicaid? Education? Isn't it time to demand that taxes that are collected for a specific reason be placed in a "Locked Box" to do what they are supposed to do instead of finding new revenue streams to pay for the intended purpose of the original tax? Are you listening Governor -Elect Cuomo?