Kick-off
David A. Paterson is getting ready to kick off his official campaign for governor. He’s so far behind perhaps he should try an on-side kick. At least maybe for once the OTHER SIDE will fumble.
Last week in Far Rockaway, I watched a Paterson town-hall meeting at the local public high school. Residents turned out in hopes of getting their questions answered –questions about their kids, their wallets, and their futures.
But Paterson came in and quickly announced he would not have a lot of time, because of a scheduled appearance on “Larry King.” So instead of people stepping up to the microphones that had been placed near the crowd, a moderator read their questions on index cards, “in the interests of saving time.”
In the end I think two people actually did ask their questions in person. There was some grumbling, but many were happy the governor came at all. “I don’t remember any governors coming to Far Rockaway,” one woman told me.
Paterson’s motorcade then sped off, in time for him to make Larry King, and explain why he’s the victim of a smear campaign. Paterson won’t say who’s out to get him. But we know the governor has piled up quite the list of political opponents. So many, that when he finally has his campaign kickoff, he may be very lonely on stage.
Political hand-outs, they call them member items.
Politicians get to funnel money to pet projects. But do you really think your taxpayer dollars should be left to the discretion of those who sometimes use it for family, friends and expensive bagels?
Take the case of City Councilmember Larry Seabrook. Prosecutors charge that, among other things, he directed some one million dollars to local groups, and even tried to get reimbursed for a $177 bagel and soda! And that didn’t include the lox!
It’s not just the illegal stuff. Why should local organizations get hand-outs, while average New Yorkers struggle?
Both the state and the city council have toughened the rules, but critics point out it all can be too tempting. In a time where every dollar is needed for “doomsday” budgets, it appears that here is a club that can use fewer members.
There’s Something About Sarah
It’s fair game to criticize Sarah Palin. But her critics reached a new low on Sunday night. An episode of “Family Guy” mocked her son Trig, who has Down Syndrome.
Funny? No. Sick? Yes.
This seems to be trend among Palin critics. Remember David Letterman making a crude comment about Palin’s daughter? This is not about being politically correct. It’s about common decency.
Palin, they claim, is both stupid and irrelevant. But the viciousness of the attacks suggests that her opponents still fear her. Palin may never make it to the presidency. But if she does get close, watch the attacks get worse.
But to target her special-needs child hurts all special needs children, and their parents. Notice I didn’t use the “R” word. I’ll leave that to those great political geniuses, whose names begin with “R” – Rahm and Rush.
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