Whereas, it has been revealed that Assemblyman Lopez sexually harassed and created a hostile work environment for no less than four (4) female staffers; and

Whereas, investigations by Special District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. and the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) investigated any possible wrongdoing by various officials and agencies as well as Assemblyman Lopez; and

Whereas, though Special District Attorney Donovan did not find sufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing within the confines of Kings County, JCOPE did find indisputable proof of violations of the Public Officers Law by Assemblyman Lopez; and

Whereas, JCOPE has publicly documented many instances of unwarranted sexual activity and language by Assemblyman Lopez to female staffers; and

Whereas, JCOPE has publicly documented that said female staffers were afraid of employment retaliation by the Assemblyman should they have reported the harassment; and

Whereas, JCOPE has publicly documented that said female staffers resigned due to said harassment they feared employment retaliation; and

Whereas, it has become obvious that Assemblyman Lopez is a serial sexual harasser; and

Whereas, Assemblyman Lopez has announced his intention to run for the New York City Council, therefore

Be It Resolved, that the Brooklyn Young Democrats, the official youth arm of the Democratic Party in Kings County, New York find Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez to be unfit to serve as a Member of the New York State Assembly and should resign as a Member of the Assembly immediately and retire from public life as an elected official.

Be it Further Resolved, that if Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez chooses not to resign, then the Brooklyn Young Democrats officially support voting in favor of expelling Assemblyman Lopez from the New York State Assembly.

To be eligible to vote, you must be a member in good standing, have attended at least one event in the past year, and paid your membership dues. If you are unsure about how many meetings you have attended in the past year, you can check using the form located at http://www.brooklynyds.com/misc/eligibility-lookup/.

Amanda Pizzuti

Position for which you wish to run?
President

Why are you seeking this position?
I am seeking re-election to the presidency of the Brooklyn Young Democrats to continue the work we as a chapter have begun together to grow and thrive. We have made great strides in becoming a more active and prominent organization, and I plan to oversee our expansion in the areas of membership numbers, fundraising, and overall political influence. I think our partnerships with both other Young Democrats’ chapters and the Democratic Party at all levels, can help us continue to build a strong chapter and develop exceptional leaders in every corner of our borough.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I have worked in politics and on campaigns for over 6 years. My professional experience as a political fundraiser can help us obtain the financial resources we need to continue to grow and be successful. Additionally, the work I have already done with the Brooklyn Young Democrats gives me ideas to work with to continue to expand and improve the chapter in terms of membership, fundraising, and political impact. I have served as Council of Presidents’ Chair, National Committeewoman, and a Fundraising Co-Chair for the New York State Young Democrats. These positions have further helped me to develop relationships with elected officials and party leaders across the borough, city, and state.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I envision this organization to be much more than it is now. It is a continuation of the task I embarked upon almost 4 years ago, when I led a group of people who had one vision – to establish an official Young Democrats chapter in the largest Democratic county in the nation. Through hard work and dedication, and help from several colleagues, we have twice chartered the Brooklyn Young Democrats to the New York State Young Democrats convention, with 3 delegates in 2010 and 6 delegates in 2012. My goal is to once again double that number in 2014, and also to send a large number of Brooklynites to the Young Democrats of America convention this summer, where we can make connections with like-minded young people from around the country. I would like to continue to grow our chapter with members from around the borough, especially in the underrepresented areas of Central and Southern Brooklyn. Also, I want us to bring in younger members from colleges and even high schools. I believe we can also grow members through creating more issue-based committees, like the Women’s Committee which was created and has thrived under my tenure as President. We also need to make this a financially secure and sound organization. I believe that I am the right person to help lead that charge. I have spent my entire professional career as a political fundraiser. Through my contacts with elected officials and Democratic donors, I want to implement a fundraising plan which includes having multiple fundraisers a year. It is my goal to raise $2,500 dollars by the end of my term, to help fund membership growth, to aid in leadership development, and to help elect Democrats. We must be a resource for the Democratic party just as much as they are a resource for us. That is why engaging the county Democratic Party is vital to our success. The new leadership there has already expressed an interest in working with us, but we need to solidify that relationship, and show them that we are a powerful voice for the youth of our borough. Although we cannot endorse in primaries, I want to make sure we have a large role in the citywide elections this year. We need to host as many city candidates as possible at our meetings, bring back the New York State Young Democrats Straw Poll, and even try to host all of the candidates for one of the citywide offices for a debate or forum.

Stefan Ringel

Position for which you wish to run?
President

Why are you seeking this position?
I believe that all good democratic organizations need to embrace change as a way to encourage current and prospective members to be innovative and aspire to leadership. Brooklyn Young Democrats should reflect this ideal in an effort to invigorate the club.

Brooklyn Young Democrats has not come close to untapping its potential in the political world of Kings County and beyond. With a new chair on top of our county party, I believe the moment is now to make bold moves and be a galvanizing force for young people from Greenpoint to Gravesend, from Bedford-Stuyvesant to Brighton Beach.

We must build a Young Democrat chapter worthy of the largest Democratic county in this country. I believe I have the energy, the focus and the experience to bring together key resources and develop this organization. Brooklyn Young Democrats should grow into a must-join for any young person in this borough. It should be a resource for every local campaign and a driving force behind issue advocacy. This club can drive a progressive conversation and put boots on the ground to affect real reform.

This vision won’t happen overnight, but I believe that as President I can put us on this path towards stability and strength. I am pursuing this position because I believe in the mission of this organization, and working with our partners across Brooklyn I am confident we can unlock its potential.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
Since May 2011, I have served as Media Relations Director to Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, who represents East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Midwood and Canarsie. My work and organizing in this often undeserved part of Brooklyn makes me keenly aware how this club needs to broaden and deepen its reach into every neighborhood, which is why I drove the organizing of Brooklyn Young Democrats’ "invasion" of Brooklyn College last September.

I have a good pedigree in communications strategy and implementation, including in print, radio, television and online outlets. This was recognized by City and State last year when I was named one of their "40 Under 40" Political Rising Stars. It is my hope that I can leverage contacts I have built in the media to bring positive publicity to Brooklyn Young Democrats. I also have built relationships with elected officials, labor leaders, political clubs and advocacy groups in our borough, and I feel confident I can establish partnerships for us to work together on various initiatives.

I have worked and continue to work on political campaigns throughout Brooklyn, covering areas that include Park Slope, Borough Park, Coney Island and Crown Heights. This experience has taught me the importance of outreach and how to get it done with our progressive partners across the borough. Be it organizing rallies, canvassing neighborhoods or working the phones, I believe we can train and mobilize young people to be the catalysts of change.

Since September, I have served as treasurer for Brooklyn Young Democrats. Before my appointment, the organization had no financial structure and limited resources. In the past four months, I have established our bank account, completed our first-ever filing with the State Board of Elections and helped arrange a winter party that raised hundreds of dollars and brought in dozens of new dues-paying members as well as visits from local and citywide elected office. As president, I will continue to grow the account with creative fundraising opportunities, an aggressive drive to increase membership and smart financial choices.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?

1. Provide key assistance to establish and/or strengthen College Democrats chapters at every major college and university in Kings County.
2. Decentralize organizational power and empower regional vice presidents to have stronger roles that key in on their strengths, namely by holding meetings and establishing local agendas to bring back to the larger body for taking action.
3. Grow the membership of the organization significantly.
4. Invite candidates for local and citywide office, as well as pushing to hold debates hosted by our organization.
5. Increase the bank account through creative and targeted fundraisers.
6. Partner with local clubs and advocacy organizations to tackle issue campaigns that affect Brooklyn and its future.
7. Build relationships with other local democratic clubs in the borough and across the city in an inclusive manner, to help push a broad progressive vision.

Is there any other information that you want to share?
As a leader, I am genuine in my interactions and interested in everyone’s input. I am not afraid to take decisive action or to reach out on difficult issues. I value good relationships and hard work, and I seek to empower anyone that carries a similar passion for seeing a better and brighter Brooklyn Young Democrats.

Ted Anastasiou

Position for which you wish to run?
Executive Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?
I am seeking this position to continue my work organizing on behalf of all young Democrats in Kings County. I believe that BYD, in addition to other prominent and progressive Democratic clubs in Brooklyn, has a significant role to play in advocating for young Democrats in the nation’s most Democratic county. The coming year is a crucial one in New York City politics, and I believe we need to continue to ensure that the concerns and ideas of young Democrats are heard and represented.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I currently serve as BYD’s Northern Regional Vice President, and have previously served as Treasurer.

I have worked as a staffer for the Obama campaign for the 2008 and 2012 cycles.

In 2012, I served as the statewide Deputy Voter Protection Director for Pennsylvania for the Obama presidential re-election effort. There, I assisted the Voter Protection Director successfully create and execute the statewide voter protection program in Pennsylvania in coordination with the Obama for America national voter protection team, the Obama for America state counsel, and state Organizing for America operations in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. I also worked closely with campaign finance leaders, including the principals of Lawyers for Obama, New York Democratic Lawyers Council, Gen44 and members of the campaign’s National Finance Committee, to help successfully execute fundraising events for the campaign. In 2008, I served the campaign as a Deputy Field Organizer in Dayton, Ohio.

Before that, I served as the Chair of the Law School Democrats of America, the Democratic National Committee’s official law student arm, state chair of the New York Democratic Law Students Council, and President of the Brooklyn Law School Democrats.

I have extensive experience developing and implementing campaign initiatives, managing a large group of team members, and fostering and maintaining relationships with elected officials, campaign donors and community leaders. In addition to my politically-oriented work experiences and extracurricular activities, I broadened my knowledge of political advocacy and management by taking, and excelling in, courses related to the legislative process and election law. I am confident that my strong background in politics will prove beneficial to BYD’s work in the coming year.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I believe that there needs to be closer collaboration with all Democratic clubs and organizations in Brooklyn, such as organizing joint events and working together on important projects (e.g., voter registration, election law reform). I also believe that BYD should co-sponsor candidate forums with other Democratic groups for Brooklyn-specific and citywide races, and work to organize and drive youth turnout for the general election in November 2013.

Is there any other information that you want to share?
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at ted.anastasiou@obamaalumni.com.

Thank you!

Priscilla Consolo

Position for which you wish to run?
Southern Regional Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?
As a resident of southern Brooklyn my entire life, I have seen first-hand the continuous Republican attempts to take over our traditionally Democratic community. To be quite frank, I am absolutely tired and disgusted with the Republican party’s mud-slinging, lie-spreading, manipulative and ethically-questionable games they persistently play with our residents. To me, this position is much more than just a place on this club’s executive board. Rather, it is a way for me to stand up and take action against the Republican party’s ceaseless scheming political tactics. I refuse to let southern Brooklyn turn red, especially with its high volume of Democratic voters. However, that threat – "a sea of red"- is becoming more and more desired by the Republican party, who are willing to deceive voters and play dirty tricks in order to achieve this goal. By being elected to this position, I believe I will help motivate my fellow young Democrats in Southern Brooklyn to take a stand against the Republicans. As the Southern Regional Vice-President, I will be able to expose the untruths and falsifications infecting the southern part of our borough by this red-colored disease. Southern Brooklyn has never been and will never be dominantly Republican – even in the GOP’s wildest dreams.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I have lived in southwest Brooklyn my entire life, and have been involved in the southern Brooklyn community for most of my life. I am well known within southern Brooklyn for my community service work.

Deeply rooted in her Catholic faith, I have been an extremely active member of her parish, Our Lady of Grace Church. I have been an Altar Server since she was in the fourth grade. As a veteran server in her teens, I was selected to help train and guide new servers. In addition, I have been a Lector, or lay reader, since the eighth grade. I also have been volunteering as a Teen Leader in the parish’s Teen Group Youth Ministry program since her freshman year of high school, in which I help mentor fellow adolescents and takes part in various community service activities.

In 2011, I took action against an unjust NYC Dept. of Education co-location plan that impacted her alma mater, I.S. 303. I helped lead and organize a grassroots campaign to halt the co-location proposal and protect the well being of the students of I.S. 303. The campaign was supported by Advocates for Justice, a nonprofit public interest legal firm, who then sued the city and state on behalf of the school’s parents and students. Ultimately, revisions were won for the plan, making sure that special programs, resources, and opportunities that I.S. 303 had provided in the past would remain in place, allowing our neighborhood’s children to receive the quality public education they deserve.

Currently, I am Assemblyman Colton’s Special Assistant, a position I’ve held since September 2011. Working in Assemblyman Colton’s office, I help constituents on a daily basis. I contact city, state, and federal agencies to try to solve the problems and address the concerns of local residents and businesses. Some of my victories include pressuring the Dept. of Sanitation to place additional trash receptacles in commercial areas and parks; urging the Dept. of Transportation to install speed bumps, stop signs, and traffic lights; and pushing for the repaving of uneven streets and fixing potholes.

In addition to helping constituents, I also serve as an important aide and organizer for many of Assemblyman Colton’s grassroots efforts. I have gained recognition in her community for her work with the ongoing "Speak-Up & Clean-Up" campaign sponsored by Assemblyman Colton. This grassroots initiative aims to keep our neighborhood clean and spread awareness about environmentalism. In total, it has acquired the help of over one-thousand local youth volunteers and covered over two-hundred streets in the neighborhood. As the lead organizer of the project, volunteers and I have not only physically cleaned up the community, but have also spread the word about protecting the environment and battling uncleanliness. Volunteers and I have passed out flyers and pamphlets describing sanitation laws, guidelines, and information intended for different groups in the community, such as small business owners, shoppers, residents, and home owners. The campaign has been featured in several media outlets, including in the local newspapers, and on television and radio news stations.

As part of another grassroots campaign initiated by Assemblyman Colton, I was the Project Coordinator to restore the B64 bus line to Coney Island. I attended meetings of local community boards and organizations where she discussed Colton’s plan for the restoration. On behalf of Colton, I also created and circulated petitions, acquiring close to five-thousand signatures. I obtained letters of support from neighborhood groups and leaders, and organized a rally to push the restoration, in which several hundred people attended. The Transit Workers Union-Local 100 also supported and helped with the crusade. In addition, I spoke at the July 25, 2012 MTA Executive Board Meeting, explaining the importance of restoring the vital bus line. Ultimately, the MTA announced in July 2012 that the B64 bus route to Coney Island would be restored in January 2013.

I am currently the co-chair of Assemblyman Colton’s Transportation Improvement Coalition, which aims to improve public transit in southwest Brooklyn.

I have also been involved in local political causes, where I have been able to use her leadership positions to help improve the southwest Brooklyn community. At present, I am the Southern Regional Vice-President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats. I am also the Vice-President of Membership for the United Progressive Democratic Club, as well as a member of Brooklyn Democrats for Change.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I believe we need to start reaching out to the younger generation of Brooklyn Democrats within our greater community. The majority of members in this club are in their mid-to-late twenties and early thirties – college graduates and full-time workers. However, we’re forgetting about the younger Democrats in Brooklyn. What about those in high school or college? Aren’t their support and help just as valuable? If I’m elected to this position, I would contact and invite students living in Brooklyn and/or attending Brooklyn high schools and colleges to join our organization. Most high schools and colleges already have democratic clubs and/or other political organizations. I would contact those clubs and organizations and inform them of the BYD’s and the importance of joining our group. The more we expand our influence, the more new members we recruit, and vice versa.

My second initiative is to gain more media coverage of the BYD’s – especially with our events. The only way to make people aware of our club and our work is to have press coverage. The local news channels and newspapers would certainly be interested in hearing about our club, especially different events we have throughout different neighborhoods in Brooklyn. As the Southern Regional Vice-President, I would set up a “Press/Communications Committee" to handle contacting the local media. This committee would be responsible for making phone calls, distributing press releases and advisories, and most importantly, developing relationships with local journalists. By gaining media exposure, we would make more people aware of our efforts, which will only further help us increase our influence and membership.

Seamus Campbell

Position for which you wish to run?
Secretary

Why are you seeking this position?
I help found the Brooklyn Young Democrats and built the groundwork for it back in 2009. I want to ensure that the organization will be in good hands with the next generation of leaders and will continue to thrive.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I have a BS in Information Science from Fordham University have served as Webmaster to the Brooklyn Borough President and Communications Director to former State Senate candidate (and BYD member) Jason Otaño. My skills in the IT field. It forces me to me meticulous in data gathering and integrity while never overlooking even the smallest of details.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
Ensure that the infrastructure via donations, membership lists, contact people, elected officials, etc. are in place so that all future leaders of the Brooklyn Young Democrats will be ready to take over on day 1.

Is there any other information that you want to share?
The work I have put into the Brooklyn Young Democrats is almost that of a full-time job. I love the organization and will always be there for it.

Kai Feder

Position for which you wish to run
Treasurer

Why are you seeking this position?
I believe my budgetary, project management, economic development and business development experience, in addition to my previous roles with Young Democrat organizations provide me with a substantial background to contribute to the financial management, organization growth and financial capacity of the Brooklyn Young Democrats.

I see the role of treasurer as one that will allow my strengths to benefit the organization. I hope to grow the organization’s financial capacity through strategic partnerships and a more robust fundraising program.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
As Capital Budget and Economic Development Coordinator for Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, I have actively managed of a capital budget of more than $50 million dollars. These dollars have been allocated to diverse organizations reaching across the Borough, from Greenpoint to Canarsie to Coney Island to Red Hook. I have an intimate knowledge of community organizations across the Borough, as well as the technical know-how to effectively manage organizational assets.

Furthermore, my experience in business development, gained in part from my role as a marketing associate for a premier class action litigation firm, provides me with ample background in strategic partnerships.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
Most fundamentally, I would like to see the Brooklyn Young Democrats grow as as organization on three fronts: financials, exposure and membership. This begins with growing strategic partnership across the Borough with community, business, and political organizations. Additionally, I would like to explore other methods of collecting financial contributions to maximize membership contributions and retention.

Our February meeting will be at the United Progressive Democratic Club (29 Bay 25th St Brooklyn, NY 11214, 1 block away from the D train) at 7:30pm. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/470654079665360/. If you have any questions regarding getting to the election, our Facebook page is a great forum to post and share!

Changes that are highlighted in green were proposed by President Amanda Pizzuti. Changes that are highlighted in yellow were proposed by Secretary Seamus Campbell. Changes that are highlighted in blue were proposed by Treasurer Stefan Ringel.

Last night, at the Brooklyn Young Democrats 2013 Winter Party, we were presented with a proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz by his current Chief of Staff and BYD member Jon Paul Lupo.

The text of the proclamation is as follows:

Whereas, it is a time-honored Brooklyn tradition to recognize those rare and extraordinary individuals and organizations whose steadfast commitment to public service greatly improves the quality of life of all Brooklynites; and

Whereas, President Amanda Pizzuti, and the members of the Brooklyn Young Democrats – an organization that offers ordinary people – particularly our young people – an opportunity to participate in the political process – gather with friends and supporters for their Winter Party to celebrate their accomplishments, and to reaffirm their dedication to public service for the betterment of our great borough – through advocacy and the sharing of information with the people of Brooklyn – and to carry out the democratic principles; and

Whereas, on behalf of all Brooklynites, I salute and commend President Pizzuti for her leadership, and the members of Brooklyn Young Democrats for their commitment to the mission of the organization and for all of their hard work in organizing this event, and I thank all those present for believing in the democratic process by supporting this important organization and for making Brooklyn a better place to live, work and raise a family;

Now, therefore, I, Marty Markowitz, President of the Borough of Brooklyn, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Brooklyn Young Democrats
Winter Party Celebration
in Brooklyn, USA

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Borough of Brooklyn to be affixed this 16^th day of January 2013.

Good news, Brooklynites and Brooklyn-lovers alive! The Brooklyn Young Democrats will be holding their 2013 Winter Party on Wednesday, January 16th from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM at Downtown Ale House, located at 121 Livingston Street!

This bar is right in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn and is the perfect location for us to enjoy food, drinks and each other’s company as we formally welcome in 2013. Current members and newcomers are more than welcome to attend! We are expecting a number of notable elected officials, as well as a veritable who’s who of young progressives here in Kings County!

Tickets will go towards 2013 membership dues for BYD. The member rate is $20 ($25 at the door), while the non-member rate is $30. For students, the cost is only $10. Eligible BYD members are registered Democrats between the ages of 16 and 36 who either live, work, or attend school in Brooklyn.

You can pre-register at https://secure.actblue.com/page/byd2013winterparty. For more information please visit our Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/315388988561655/ or our event flyer below.

We started out with a headline-grabbing viral YouTube video made at our event then a contentious state senate race. We hosted candidates for political offices in the city, state, and federal offices. Some of our own members even ran for political office. We even had members and friends of the organization attend and even serve as delegates to the Democratic National Convention!

We helped elect Democrats across the state and nation. We may not have won every race. We may not have taken back the House nor (technically) the State Senate, but we have kept the Senate and the Presidency.

Of course, we were hit with a heavy blow when Hurricane Sandy hit. Some of us still have not yet fully recovered. But, being New Yorkers, we are bouncing-back with a force and we will be stronger than ever.

However, 2012 was a year of growth for our organization. Attendance at meetings is higher than ever before. A new Kings County Democratic Chairman was elected whom has said he wants to work to unite all of us as a party. And, just this month, we officially became a political action committee.

And now, we possibly have a nearly 11th hour deal to the fiscal cliff crisis.

2012, by far, was not an uneventful year.

In just about an hour from now, we will ring in the new year. With every city race up for grabs, 2013 will be the year in which the Brooklyn Young Democrats will shine. And the fun begins on January 16 at our Holiday Party (details TBA).

Have A Happy and Safe New Year.

We have some important election information to share with you, so please read carefully.

As you may know, because of Hurricane Sandy, many voters across the region have been displaced from their homes and many polling locations have been moved. The New York City Board of Elections has you covered. To see if your poll site has moved, please visit http://vote.nyc.ny.us/downloads/pdf/documents/boe/2012GeneralElection/pollsitechangepostsandy.pdf or text “NYCVOTES” or “DONDE” to 877877. If you are registered outside the city, contact the New York State Board of Elections at 1-855-NYS-SANDY.

If you do not know where your polling location is or who is on your ballot, you can find out by visiting http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm.

If you encounter ANY problems within the five boroughs when you go vote, whether it be electioneering within 100 feet of the site’s entrance, broken machines, or even what you perceive to be someone intimidating voters to cast their ballot one way, contact the Board of Elections IMMEDIATELY by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC or tweeting to them (@BOENYC) using the hashtag #nycvotes.

If you feel that you or someone that you know is being unfairly disenfranchised from voting please call Election Protection at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo signed an executive order that will allow any displaced voter in Rockland and Westchester counties, Long Island, and New York City to vote by affidavit at any polling site within the state. However, you may not be able to vote in your local races. You will be required to sign an affidavit saying that you are registered to vote in such a location (under penalty of perjury). But, you may only vote in the races that that coincide with those of the place in which you are voting.

To put it another way, if you live in Greenpoint but will be voting in Williamsburg, many races like President, U.S. Senate, Congress, State Senate, and Assembly may be the same and you would be allowed to vote for almost all the same candidates. However, if you will be voting in Manhattan, likely, the only races in which you would be eligible to vote would be for President and U.S. Senate.

For those that want to make sure that they vote in the down-ballot races, the Board of Elections has established a shuttle service to bring people to and from their polling sites. These shuttles are expected to run every 15 minutes but have been rumored to take up to 30 minutes. If you want more information on this service, NY1 has the information posted on their website at http://www.ny1.com/content/politics/political_news/171862/buses-to-polling-sites-in-brooklyn–queens–staten-island.

Again, if you have any questions or concerns regarding voting, please contact the Board of Elections or tweet to us at @BrooklynYDs and we will do our best to provide whatever information and resources you will need.

P.S. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

Due to logistical reasons (i.e. transportation and storage), some charities assisting in disaster relief ARE NOT accepting donations of food, clothes, etc.

However, the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is currently accepting donations of non-perishable food and necessary supplies. They are also coordinating volunteer efforts on the ground. If you want more information on ways you can help, please visit their website.

The American Red Cross is in need of financial donations. To donate, please visit http://www.redcross.org/ or, to donate $10, text REDCROSS to 90999.

Finally, the New York Blood Center is in short supply of donations, so if you wish to donate, please visit http://www.nybc.org/.

As more information on volunteer and clean-up efforts arrive, we will let you know.

Without a doubt (and this is from OFA itself) being a GOTV fellow is the most impactful thing a person in a Blue State can do with fewer than 30 days remaining days until November 6.

“Well, I just asked them what the most important thing a person could was. They told me they need people to join the GOTV Fellows Program to get trained, go away to battleground states and serve as volunteer leaders. And I was like ‘oh, hey, we can pay for people to do that.’” – Benjamin Yee, Downstate Vice President

In the past, the Downstate Chapters have been extremely active using the funds raised through their annual Keep the Changeevents; honoring people and organizations which have succeeded in bringing definable change to New York, America and the world. We’ve spent that money giving young people the opportunity to explore ways to make their own change – from giving seed funding The White Roof Project, a Manhattan Young Democrats idea which became its own non-profit; to hosting leadership summits; to sponsoring Young Democrats run canvasses for local Democrats throughout the region.

This year, Keep the Change III won’t just be honoring change makers, it will serve as a farewell bash to our battlegrounders. With free bourbon and moonshine donated by local shop Kings County Distillery, 200-300 of the city’s coolest young progressives a million ways to sign up to help out before E-Day, it should be the biggest GOTV kickoff this side of the aisle. So please join us this year as we honor those who have kept the Change and celebrate as we go off to make more!

To anyone interested in Keep the Change or being sponsored as a GOTV fellow, they should contact Benjamin Yee at ben@nysyd.net. Tickets to Keep the Change can be bought at https://secure.actblue.com/page/ktciii/.

In regards to the attacks on Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other officials Romney issued a statement saying “It’s disgraceful that the Obama administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks.” However, the statement was actually a series tweets and statements from the US Embassy in Cairo to the protesters outside their walls that were angered by the ‘film’ (if you saw the trailer, you too would use that term loosely) The Innocence of Muslims. The official statement (currently down) read

The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.

Even fellow Republicans denounced Romney for his misguided response.

Strike One!

Then, in an interview for ABC’s Good Morning America that aired this past Friday, the Governor provided George Stephanopoulos with his next gaffe.

Romney said “No one can say my plan is going to raise taxes on middle-income people, because principle number one is [to] keep the burden down on middle-income taxpayers.”

Stephanopoulos asked, in response, “Is $100,000 middle income?”

To which, Romney answered “No, middle income is $200,000 to $250,000 and less.”

His campaign sent a clarifying statement that Romney was referring to household income and not personal income. However, the Census Bureau says that the medium household income is just over $50,000.

Strike Two!

Now, today, yet another gaffe has surfaced.

My dad, as you probably know, was the governor of Michigan and was the head of a car company. But he was born in Mexico… and had he been born of Mexican parents, I’d have a better shot at winning this. But he was unfortunately born to Americans living in Mexico. He lived there for a number of years. I mean, I say that jokingly, but it would be helpful to be Latino.

Strike Three!

I am starting to think that Romney, who was known as a moderate until he first starting running for President is PURPOSELY TRYING TO LOSE IN ORDER TO SAVE THE G.O.P.. Think about it, the Republican Party has gone further and further more right over the years to the extent that Sen. Bob Bennett, a Republican with a 100% conservative record lost in a primary to Mike Lee for not being conservative enough. Romney’s statements are consistently either conservative or hypocritical of other statements he has said, much like many other Republicans. My theory is that he is actively trying to destroy the party in order to save it and make it more moderate.

Think about it, I have a point.

Note: by no means is this to be considered a formal endorsement of any type.

After deliberation within the Board, the Brooklyn Young Democrats have decided to name Ted Anastasiou Northern Regional Vice President. Ted, a recent graduate of Brooklyn Law School, has served as the President of the President of the Brooklyn Law School Democrats, Chairman/President of the College Democrats of America’s Law Caucus (formerly the Law School Democrats of America), and as Treasurer of the Brooklyn Young Democrats.

“Since the first few months of the Brooklyn Young Democrats’ founding, Ted has been an essential resource,” said Brooklyn Young Democrats President Amanda Pizzuti. “He has been at the forefront of our development. Whether it be informing us of campaigns that we should actively participate in, providing contacts with the Obama campaign, giving legal assistance, or just general advice, Ted has been there for us. I am pleased to have Ted as our Northern Regional Vice President because, through his connections and involvement in local community and political organizations, he will ensure that the Brooklyn Young Democrats ‘stick a thumbtack’ in all political circles across the borough, city, state, and nation.’

Until a permanent replacement can appointed, in order to ensure a smooth transition, Ted Anastasiou will serve as Northern Regional Vice President while maintaining the duties of Treasurer, which is now, hereby, vacant. Pursuant to the Brooklyn Young Democrats’ Constitution and Bylaws, the Executive Board shall name a new Treasurer to fill-out the remainder of the term.

Mr. Otaño is currently running for the New York State Senate for the 18th Senatorial District. The Brooklyn Young Democrats thank him for his service and wish him well and success in all of his future endeavors.

“It has been a privilege to serve as the Northern Regional Vice President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats,” said Otaño. “I have met more people than I could have expected and now know so many more that I am proud to now call friends. One thing that I have learned over the years is that all experiences, good and bad, are moments of learning. My time as a board member of the Brooklyn Young Democrats has been one of the most positive and refreshing learning moments of my life. I am proud to call my tenure with the Brooklyn Young Democrats as an inspiring moment that is proof that, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or religion, any size movement can bring about progressive change.”

Brooklyn Young Democrats, founded in 2010, is the official youth arm of the Kings County Democratic Committee.

Fall internships generally run from early-mid September through the end of the fall semester, but the dates are flexible based on the availability of each intern. Interns with a class schedule generally work 15-20 hours per week. All interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to internships@exec.ny.gov.

Yesterday’s certification by the New York State Board of Elections of Andrew Gounardes, an active member of the Brooklyn Young Democrats, as the Democratic nominee for the 22^nd Senatorial District solidified that Brooklynites realized need for fresh and new solutions to the dysfunction in Albany.

Accepting the endorsement, Gounardes said, “I am honored to be endorsed by the next generation of leaders in Brooklyn. I look forward to working with them on our campaign to move New York State forward.”

Amanda Pizzuti, President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats commended the endorsement. Said Pizzuti, “The ultimate goal of the Brooklyn Young Democrats, actually, any young democrats chapter, is to ensure that all leaders – at the local, state, and federal levels – is to ensure that our leaders take into account the values of our young people, a demographic that is tossed around in stump speeches, but is never truly represented. By having a young, progressive state senator, I am certain that the people of Bay Ridge and the youth people of all of the State of New York will have an advocate in Albany.”

Founded in 2010, the Brooklyn Young Democrats is the official youth arm of the Democratic Party of Kings County, NY. With membership representing every part of the County of Kings, the Brooklyn Young Democrats is one of the fastest growing young democratic clubs in the State of New York.

Before the passage of PPACA in 2010, 1 in 7 Americans did not have health insurance. The keystone of the law, a mandate that all Americans be required to buy health insurance or face a tax, was found to be in compliance with the Taxation Clause of the Constitution. The individual mandate ensures to keep insurance rates low by ensuring that Americans with insurance would not have to pay for treatment of those without.

Brooklyn Young Democrats President Amanda Pizzuti said “Yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling is a tremendous boom for young Americans. One of the provisions in the health care law ensures that those under the age of 26 can continue to stay under their parents’ insurance plans. With the high unemployment and underemployment rate of young people in this nation, that provision provides a safety net for in case a medical emergency arises.”

Brooklyn Young Democrats Secretary Seamus Campbell, who also chairs the Disability Issues Caucus of the New York State Young Democrats commented “I am ecstatic about yesterday’s ruling. By ruling that all Americans will not be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, the quality of life for all Americans will be greatly improved.”

Following the announcement of the Supreme Court’s ruling, many prominent conservative figures vowed for full repeal of the PPACA and ensured that President Barack Obama will not be reelected in November. The Brooklyn Young Democrats will fight to make sure that neither of the Republicans’ promises will become a reality.

Correction: We incorrectly stated in our statement this morning that young people will be able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans until they are 27. That is incorrect, they can stay on until they are 26. We apologize for the mistake.

Before I get into the 1 constitutional amendment, let me remind you how the State Constitution is amended. There are two methods:

1. 2 consecutive legislatures pass a concurrent/joint resolution regarding a change in the Constitution. If passed by both chambers twice (as to say that it has to be passed before a full state legislative election and after a full state legislative election), it will come to a public referendum for the voters of the State of New York. If the voters approve it, the amendment is adopted.
2. A Constitutional Convention (don’t ask me how those things go because I just don’t know).

So here are Senator Storobin’s three bills that I want to highlight:

S7730-2011: Repeals provisions of the constitution prohibiting the use of public money in aid of any school under the control or direction of any religious denomination

Storobin did try to run on the “School Choice Party” line because he believes in school vouchers. I get that and I agree with that (I believe that school vouchers is the quick and easy way to deal with the issue of prayer in schools).

However, the law is not necessary. I will not go into the history of this, but much of the rule that Storobin is trying to repeal doesn’t require legislative involvement. My alma mater, Fordham University, is dubbed the “Jesuit University of New York [City].” It used to say “Catholic” instead of Jesuit. Then, the powers-that-be (I know the names but will not list them here since they are all family friends and I do not want their names dragged into this) realized that by changing “Catholic” to “Jesuit,” offering Theology courses in non-Christian religions, and removing crucifixes from the walls (and leaving a dust outline on the walls, as my mother reminds me), they were entitled to state funding. Fordham University says in their Mission Statement that they uphold Catholic virtues and that is fine under the law because of the values the institution is trying to instill.

As the saying goes, “it is not what you say, but how you say it.”

One bill is to make second-degree murder punishable by death. There is just one problem: in 2004, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled capital punishment to be in violation of the New York State Constitution. Storobin made it clear during his campaign that he is a lawyer. Talk about irony. (Even funnier: the bill is listed as having no fiscal impact; I guess that the appeals process does not cost the state any money.)

So, what is the last bill? Repealing the Marriage Equality Act. Speaks for itself.

Here is the kicker: none of the three pieces of legislation that I have mentioned have ANY co-sponsors nor an Assembly version.

Senator Storobin has a lot to learn.

“I will not allow the MTA to get away with their assault on working people, seniors, disabled persons, and children from across Southwest Brooklyn,” declared Assemblyman Colton. “By eliminating B64 service from Harway Avenue to Coney Island, the MTA has literally stranded and crippled families, the local economy, and the outlook of a newly devised Coney Island amusement district. Additionally, the MTA made an equally shortsighted decision to cut in half the service the B82 provides from 25th Avenue to Coney Island. The same affected populations and economic engines that are being hurt by the B64 cuts are feeling double the pain by these crippling and ill-advised service cuts,” Colton added.

Cuts to the B64 service route along Harway Avenue to Coney Island were made in 2010 as part of an MTA plan to reduce costs. However, the Assemblyman points out that this service cut is nothing short of penny wise and pound-foolish. “This is a classic example of government incompetence,” Colton charges. “On one hand the City of New York invests millions of dollars to revamp Coney Island’s amusement district to attract millions of tourists and on the other hand, our transportation agency decides to reduce service in the area. It does not add up and this is why people rightfully lose faith in government,” Colton adds.

From collecting thousands of petition signatures, to requesting the federal Justice Department’s intervention on behalf of people with disabilities, Colton has not relented in his fight to restore B64 and B82 service to Southwest Brooklyn residents.

Community groups expected to be in attendance at Saturday’s rally include; Most Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church, Bensonhurst West End Community Council, Harway Terrace Apartments Board of Directors, Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church, Castellammare del Golfo, Aidone Social Cultural Association, ASU of New York, Friends of the Boardwalk, Community Education Council – District 21, NIA Community Services Network, Southern Brooklyn Democrats, United Progressive Democratic Club, Brooklyn Young Democrats, and the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn.

We hope you all had a nice weekend and got some rest because we need your energy as we push forward on the road to Democratic victory.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 13, we will be having our June meeting at The Candy Rush (733 Franklin Avenue) at 7:30pm. As you can guess from the name of the venue, we will be making sure the Brooklyn Young Democrats lives up to its youth. Of course, we do have work to do. Namely, we will vote on the new maps for our various regions per changes in assembly district lines due to redistricting. If you wish to review the new lines, please visit http://bit.ly/LP20SS. Of course, we have plenty more planned. We may have some surprise guests for you. Who knows what to expect? This is Brooklyn after all! For more information and updates, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/156198594512580/.

Not to be outdone, friend of the Brooklyn Young Democrats, John Mancuso, will be having a fundraiser for his Assembly race right in our backyard (also known as Bay Ridge) on Thursday, June 14 at 7pm at J.T.’s Restaurant (9703 3rd Avenue). Though John may be from Staten Island, we shouldn’t hold that against him because his district includes part of Brooklyn (a district that unfortunately went Republican two years ago). Tickets start at $45 for Young Democrats. For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/events/189184374541084/.

On Saturday June 16 at 11am, Assemblyman Bill Colton, State Senate candidate Andrew Gounardes, and TWU Local 100 will be hosting the Rally to Demand Restoration of the B64 Bus Line at the Ulmer Park Bus Depot (25^th Avenue & Harway Avenue). Please join local elected officials, community leaders, & neighborhood organizations to pressure the MTA to restore the B64 bus line. The B64 once provided a vital means of transportation for many people in our community, including the elderly and the disabled. Restoring service to the B64 is just one step toward ensuring that our city’s infrastructure stays intact.

And, as you all know, we are now one week into petitioning season. Following Saturday’s rally, there will be petitioning drives for Assemblyman Bill Colton, Andrew Gounardes, and District Leader Kevin Peter Carroll. If you have a few free hours to help get some more Democrats elected, please come out and help collect some signatures. For more details, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/116082465199603/ or contact Seamus Campbell at seamus.o.campbell@gmail.com, Priscilla Consolo at priscillaconsolo@gmail.com, and/or Andrew Gounardes for State Senate at volunteer@andrewgounardes.com.

As many of you know, we are in the process of trying to start creating issue-based committees in order to expand our influence on the topics that matter most to each of us. If any of you are interested in starting an issue-based committee, please contact Executive Vice President Jugba Santi at jugba@brooklynyds.com.

Finally, the Young Democrats of America will be having its 2012 Summer Conference in Philadelphia, PA from Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1. The conference will include a new member training, number of caucus sessions and issue training’s, YDA committee meetings, as well as election for YDA’s National Committee Man and National Committee Women, two seats that represent Young Democrats nationwide on the Democratic National Convention. If you need more information or want to signup to attend, please visit http://www.yda.org/philadelphia. Things are looking bright for the Brooklyn Young Democrats.

Now, if only we could have a few straight days of sun, we would be set.

Earlier today (now yesterday), I was talking with my mother about the Occupy Wall Street movement. She and I both agree with the Occupiers’ overall message about ending corporate greed and restoring economic justice. However, my mother once experienced a riot with some Occupiers firsthand and has since seen them in a negative light.

I mentioned to her about how I knew people who were saying that if the Occupiers really wanted to create change, they should exercise their democratic rights. She agreed and went one further; she said that the United States should follow the Australian model: voting is mandatory lest you be fined. I mentioned how I knew a few people who set up a table in Zuccotti Park to register voters and how I found that to be one of the most mature and sensible ways to spur change. And, as we all know, this is/was not a new concept. The most notable example of the power of registering voters were the Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement.

Earlier, as is my tradition on Friday nights, I was watching Real Time with Bill Maher. During his “New Rules” segment, he, coincidentally, reiterated the discussion I had with my mother just hours prior about the Occupy Wall Street movement should start to use its democratic rights.

(Video courtesy of Gawker)

I tend to agree with Maher on most things (except religion). This one is no exception.

However, the argument he made, soon after the Debt Ceiling crisis last summer, for a liberal Tea Party (this was prior to the beginning of the Occupy movement), called the “Donner Party,” was far better in my opinion.

This Saturday, May 5 (yes, ‘Cinco de Mayo’ or as Twitter has dubbed it ‘Cinco de Derby’), our friend (and Brooklyn Young Democrats member) Andrew Gounardes, whom is currently running for the New York State Senate, will launch his Volunteer Kickoff. It is imperative that a strong showing is made so Andrew’s campaign will snowball to victory in November against 10-year incumbent Republican Senator Marty Golden. If you can help out, please RSVP by calling 347-422-7422 or emailing volunteer@andrewgounardes.com. There will be two volunteer shifts: 11AM-1PM and 1PM-3PM. The meeting place is the campaign’s headquarters at 351 87th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11209 (the office is located in the basement). For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/295944473820446/.

Not to be out done, our friends at the White Roof Project will be having their Kickoff Backyard BBQ on Sunday, May 6 from 1 to 5pm at 11BC Garden (626 East 11th Street, New York, NY, 10009). For a suggested donation of just $10, you can spend some time with some friends and make some new ones. Did we mention it will be all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink? And it all goes towards reducing greenhouse gas. How can you not attend? To RSVP, please do so via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/337358759652976/.

Finally, next Wednesday, May 9, 2012, we will he holding our May meeting. We will be holding it at Floyd, NY (131 Atlantic Avenue) at 7:30pm. With the NYSYD 2012 Convention just 2 weeks away and petitioning season right around the corner, we will have a lot to discuss. And when we’re done, we can all play a few rounds of bocce! For more information, please check out the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/227867043988955/.

That’s all we have for you for now. Hopefully, these cloudy days will pass soon so we can get an early tan since summer is just around the corner. Just make sure to not get burned.

As such, we feel that it is necessary to commemorate all of her passion and service by raising funds for the organization she helped build and the memorial fund in her name. Money raised will help pay for the Brooklyn Young Democrats’ delegation to the NYSYD Convention as well as the Hope Reichbach Memorial Fund (donations to the latter are tax-deductible).

We will be meeting at one of our favorite restaurants, Eamonns (174 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201), at 5:30 on Saturday, April 28, 2012. For more information and to RSVP, please check out the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/276734722418184/. The suggested donation is $20 with half going to the Brooklyn Young Democrats and the other half going to the Memorial Fund.

Our table will be downstairs. We can order a la carte and there is also an Early Bird dinner special from 4pm to 6pm which is $14.95 for a 2 course meal including coffee.

See you on Saturday.

When the opportunity to be on a host committee for a young professionals fundraiser for Councilmember James arrived, it seemed like the right decision. There hadn’t been other people listed on the committee yet so, I was willing to help support my candidate.

This past Friday, April 13th, City and State NY’s blog The Notebook, posted an article titled: "Brooklyn Youngsters Raise Money for Tish James." At first glance, I was excited to see the fundraiser receive some attention.  My excitement was short lived, however, when the post’s author, Andrew J. Hawkins, stated that the host committee was "packed with young Democrats from the anti-Vito Lopez wing of the Brooklyn Democratic Party." Immediately, I took to Twitter to inform City and State that as young democrat, I should not be automatically classified as an "anti-Vito Lopez young democrat" and I never have been. Their generalizations and assumptions that all those listed on the host committee were anti-Vito Lopez were completely false. City and  State NY responded back via Twitter, "There are a number of high-profile anti-Vito folks on the fundraiser. Wasn’t trying to imply that everyone was though." I believe, however, if that were not the case, it would not have been worded as such.

I currently serve as the Executive Vice President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats. My organization does not endorse in primaries. I support Councilmember James as a private citizen. To see myself and several of my fellow young democrats mischaracterized as anti-Vito Lopez is unacceptable in my eyes. The purpose of the young democrats is to engage young people in the Democratic Party and promote Democratic values.  It’s about educating and motivating the young people of Brooklyn to be active in their community. That is what we have done, what we do and that is what we will continue to do for young people of Brooklyn.

Brooklyn, NY (April 1, 2012) – Today, the Brooklyn Young Democrats and the Brooklyn Young Republicans today have announced that they will dismantle each of their organizations in order to join forces under a single, uniting politician for President of the United States: Vermin Supreme.

Amanda Pizzuti, President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats said “Vermin Supreme has an appeal that reaches beyond party lines. He is running on a platform of creating a law requiring all Americans to brush their teeth. As the party of Obamacare, we wholeheartedly support such an endeavor. Too many Americans do not brush their teeth and that leads to much more serious conditions that the rest of us are forced to pay to treat. This is just the next logical step after the individual mandate. Further, he is promising all of us free ponies, and who doesn’t like ponies… or free stuff for that matter?

Russell Gallo, Republican District Leader for the 47^th Assembly District and President of the Brooklyn Young Republicans concurred. “As a veteran, I know firsthand that the United States is under a constant threat of terrorism by our enemies. Vermin Supreme has brought to light the greatest threat of them all, the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse. The Brooklyn Young Republicans do not wish to have their brains eaten. Vermin Supreme is the man that will protect American families. I would be honored to call him my Commander-in-Chief.

Vermin Supreme is a registered member of the Democratic Party yet has failed to win a single delegate from either of the two major political parties. He is slated to make a third-party bid for President via the Americans Elect movement. Vermin Supreme is currently running on a platform of a conservative foreign policy and a liberal social and economic policy. More information can be found at verminsupreme.com.

On Tuesday night, both candidates declared victory without a formal certification from the New York City Board of Elections. By the last count, Mr. Storobin leads Councilman Fidler by 143 votes. However, an official tally of the paper ballots has not yet been done.

Furthermore, there are 757 absentee ballots that have yet to be counted. Therefore, it is premature for either candidate to declare victory.

Brooklyn Young Democrats President Amanda Pizzuti said “Plain and simple, every vote counts.”

The Brooklyn Young Democrats call on the Board to Elections to conduct a speedy yet thorough review of every ballot cast to ensure the people of the 27th Senate District will have their duly chosen representative begin their work as soon as possible.

Note: the Brooklyn Young Democrats do not endorse in contested primaries and this blog post should not be construed as an endorsement.

Low voter turnout is expected, so, if you or anyone you know is registered to vote in the 27th SD, please make sure you all head out to the polls and make sure Councilman Lew Fidler becomes our newest State Senator.

If you are free at all during the day, please stop by the 41st A.D. Democrats Club (2952 Avenue R, Brooklyn, NY. 11229) and help make calls and canvass.

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Schnurr at tom@lewfidler.com or at (718)759-6310.

Below are the documents I was given by various speakers during our last meeting.

The question begs, AAA will continue to construe my words to fit his/her/its argument.

The question begs, why does AAA continue to lie to the trillions of “jiggers” out there? (Notice how that was an actual question?)

The question begs, does AAA understand what “libel” means, and for that matter, what it means to be disrespectful by calling people “pathetic?”

The question begs, if I meant to say what I meant to say, why wouldn’t I have said it. The question begs is that I am not a liar. The question begs, the truth has spoken and has always spoken.

So apparently, I have told South Brooklyn to “drop dead” in my blog post Get Rid of Bob Turner. Ironic since some of my closest friends are from South Brooklyn. But whatever.

I, in my “out of touch” self, argued that Federal Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann, based on her oath alone, regardless of party affiliation, could be impartial. I guess AAA (the anonymous blogger behind “Politics in Brooklyn”) believes oaths of office hold no weight in water.

I am curious as to know how I am telling South Brooklyn to drop dead when I am siding with a Federal Magistrate judge for the congressional redistricting maps she has proposed. I find it strange that AAA would be advocating for a “Brooklyn” politician that actually lives in Queens. Yes, Bob Turner, lives in Queens. He does not live in South Brooklyn, so how can he properly represent South Brooklyn? I’ll Let AAA answer that. Further, Michael Grimm and Nicole Malliotakis live in Staten Island. How can someone from outside Southern Brooklyn properly represent the people of Southern Brooklyn? I have no dog in the battle, I am only using the logic AAA uses when he/she/it characterizes me.

AAA, correctly, says that I am from North Brooklyn. Yet, somehow, I am being characterized as a member of the Park Slope Food Co-Op for that reason. I am not a member and I am by and large indifferent to their activities since they do not affect my well-being (watch AAA attack me on that).

Oh, and AAA, thank you for visiting this website, I now have your IP Address (spoofing does not work against me). Also, I was a bit offended that you called my friend, Benjamin Kallos, a “geek” in your post Introducing Lobbyist Andrew Gounardes’s Upper East Side Benjamin. since he and I have worked closely on many projects and campaigns and I am more of a “geek” than he is. I realize that the link is broken (no worries, I have my own copy that was automatically saved on my copy of Mozilla Thunderbird, so I can provide to anyone who asks for it).

Dear AAA, grow up and put an actual name to your posts. Also, why was “The Jig Is Up Atlas” made into a private blog?

The question begs, for the trillions who make this reform minded commentator the undisputed leader in the politics of Brooklyn, why don’t I, AAA, reveal myself, let alone reveal my lack of an understanding of how to construct a sentence. The question begs why can’t I, AAA, understand what a question is? The question begs why I, AAA, call people “pathetic” for getting married. The question begs why I, AAA, have the ability to look up political donations but seem to lack the ability to modify HTML and/or CSS. The question begs, what does “HTML” and “CSS” stand for? The question begs, As Always The Truth Has Spoken.

Oh, and by the way, AAA, my mother liked the choice in photo you chose for me (the one that doesn’t show a person wearing suspenders, just in case you are too blind to tell the difference between the two pictures you showed).

It all happened so fast. The memory plays back in slow motion. The car screeches to a halt alongside us and four men jump out. “Up against the car!” one of the men barks, as the others pushed the three of us up against the vehicle. “Where are the weapons? What do you have on you?” he continues, while one of his partners kicks my legs apart and commences the pat-down. One of my friends is spitting expletive-laden venom at the officer frisking him, while the other joins me in trying to calm him down in an attempt to avoid further escalating the situation, all the while trying to control our own emotions…. Continue Reading

The blog post pretty much accused Federal Magistrate Judge Roanne L. Mann, who has been characterized as a “very smart, but humorless jurist,” as a Democratic plant that cannot be impartial.

I did check, Mann is a registered Democrat. However, the oath of office she made was (emphasis added is my own):

“I, Roanne Mann, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as magistrate judge under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God.”

Is AAA (the anonymous blogger behind “Politics in Brooklyn”) claiming that Judge Mann cannot fulfill her oath of office due to her party affiliation? Because that is a very heavy charge.

AAA ends his/her/its post quoting (not sure whom) ‘”Southern Brooklyn won’t stand for our communities being told to drop dead for doing what’s right, WE WANT TO KEEP OUR SOUTHERN BROOKLYN CONGRESSMAN BOB TURNER.”‘

We have a simple answer to them: No.

I watched this last week and I thought to myself, how can Republican Tea Party members watch this is NOT realize that Bill Maher is right. Taxes are LOWER than when Reagan was President; guns can now be brought into national parks. This fantasy president the right has created is NOTHING like the reality. I’ve given up, just watch.

In his editorial "The Politics of Silence: We All Lose" (page 46), Asher David claims that Fidler called Storobin a "neo-Nazi sympathizer" on January 12, 2012. Of course, practically all of you have seen the video from our fundraiser (I’m not going to link to it, go find it with Google). However, that fundraiser took place on January 18.

The Global Politician story (where it all began) broke via Gatemouth on January 7 . A few days later, all of Storobin’s postings on Global Politician were deleted.

Five days later, on January 12, Crain’s Insider reported on it quoting Fidler as saying "I’m not a great believer in coincidences. . . . I have a record to run on that’s not going to be expunged. I think it’s relevant to ask David [Storobin] what he’s ashamed of."  Later that morning, I reported on it.

As Colin points out,

Hamodia is widely read in the Orthodox Jewish portions of Mr. Kruger’s former district, and Wednesday’s expanded weekend edition is the most notable one of the week. For religious families abstaining from electricity on Shabbos, a newspaper might be more closely read.

If a newspaper is going to quote Fidler, I think it is only fair that the dates be correct and the timeline and context be taken into account. Just saying.

Hi, Amanda (and Seamus),

I know this is a bit belated, but I just wanted to let you know I support your efforts and the efforts of other political clubs to draw attention to the issue of runaway and homeless youth in New York City.  My campaign sent out a statement last week in support and distributed it via Facebook and Twitter.
http://www.facebook.com/agounardes/posts/193632034070947

https://twitter.com/#!/agounardes/status/170175587187564544

Keep up the good work,

Andrew

P.O. Box 150614
Brooklyn NY 11215
www.LIDBrooklyn.org

February 13, 2012

Re: Runaway and Homeless Youth Funding

To New York State Senators and State Assembly-members:

We, the undersigned, call upon the New York State Legislature to raise the level of funding for Runaway and Homeless Youth services in New York City to $2.25 million, which is $1.5 million more than current spending.  The proposal by Governor Cuomo to maintain the current, inadequate funding levels is unacceptable and will have dire consequences for the nearly 4,000 homeless youth in New York City.  We urge you to provide adequate funding to ensure the survival and well-being of those young people who are all too often left without a voice in the budget process.

New York State has provided funding to support shelter for homeless youth since 1978. In 2007, NYS provided $6.8 million to support 70 youth shelter programs across the state. By 2010, that amount of funding had been reduced to $4.7 million. In the budget passed last year, the amount was further reduced by 50% to $2.35 million, only $745,000 of which goes to shelters in New York City.  This level of funding is grossly inadequate. 

The LGBTQ community is especially concerned about these cuts because 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ.  Runaway and homeless LGBTQ young people face a disproportionate risk of violent abuse, family rejection, mental illness, HIV infection and suicide.

In 2008, The Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services released the results of a census of New York City’s homeless youth which found that every night 3,800 youth go without shelter. In 2009, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg established the New York City Commission on Runaway and Homeless LGBTQ Youth, whose report included recommendations on prevention strategies, family reconciliation and ways to improve New York City’s Infrastructure in order to meet LGBTQ youth needs.  This report included the recommendation for a five year plan to increase dedicated shelter beds for LGBTQ youth by at least 200.  Despite these findings, the city and state have chosen to maintain or cut funding for youth shelter beds, while shelters have reported a 40% increase in demand for them.

While we fully recognize the need to balance the state budget and to cut unnecessary spending, we should not do so at the expense of our state’s most vulnerable citizens. By investing in the well-being and safety of runaway and homeless youth we can work to ensure that they become productive members of our great state and nation. Increasing funding by $1.5 million is a small price to pay when weighed against the probability that homeless kids, left to fend for themselves, will engage in risky, unhealthy and criminal activities in order to survive. As a result, they will become even bigger burdens to taxpayers in the long run if they end up in prison or if they contract HIV.

We call upon your leadership to raise funding for Runway Homeless Youth services budget by $1.5 million, and we look forward to working with you in the future to ensure that New York’s children are no longer left out in the cold.

Sincerely,

Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn
Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats
Independent Neighborhood Democrats
Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club
Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens (LGDCQ)
New Kings Democrats
Stonewall Democrats of New York City
Bay Ridge Democrats
Brooklyn Young Democrats
Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats
[LIST IN FORMATION]

For additional comment, please contact the co-presidents of Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, Matthew McMorrow (917-696-1781) or Erin Drinkwater (646-643-8132).

To be eligible to vote, you must be a member in good standing, have attended at least one event in the past year, and paid your membership dues. If you are unsure about how many meetings you have attended in the past year, you can check using the form located at http://www.brooklynyds.com/misc/eligibility-lookup/.

Amanda Pizzuti

Position for which you wish to run?
President

Why are you seeking this position?
I am seeking re-election to continue the work I have begun as President of the Brooklyn Young Dems. I think we have made great strides in becoming a more active and prominent organization, and plan to oversee our expansion in the areas of membership numbers, fundraising, and overall influence. The recent loss of a Democratic candidate in my own Congressional district gives me even more reason to make sure we have a group of young and motivated individuals throughout the borough to work on campaigns as well as issue advocacy. I think our partnerships with both Young Democrats and the Democratic Party at all levels, can help us continue to build a strong chapter and develop exceptional leaders in every corner of our borough.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I have a Masters’ degree in Elections and Campaign Management and have worked in politics and on campaigns for more than 5 years. My professional experience as a political fundraiser can help us obtain the financial resources we need to continue to grow and be successful.

The work I have already done with the Brooklyn Young Dems gives me ideas to work with to continue to expand and improve the chapter. Additionally, in the past year I have served as National Committeewoman and a Fundraising Co-Chair for the New York State Young Democrats. These positions have further helped me to develop relationships with elected officials and party leaders across the borough, city, and state.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I would like to continue to grow our chapter with members from around the borough, especially in the underrepresented areas of Central and Southern Brooklyn. Also, I want us to bring in younger members from colleges and even high schools. I plan on building and maintaining relationships with elected officials, party leaders, campaign operatives, and political clubs so we can make sure we elect Democrats throughout the borough.

Jugba Santi

Position for which you wish to run?
Executive Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?
I am seeking this position to increase youth involvement in the Democratic party in Brooklyn.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I previously served as the Central Region Vice President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats and have been active in the New York State Young Democrats for the past two years. I have a B. A. in Political Science from the University at Albany.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
-Increase youth participation in Democratic politics in Brooklyn
-Increase voter registration with people under 35
-Work with community leaders to promote Democratic values

Jason Otaño

Position for which you wish to run
Northern Regional Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?
As a lifelong Brooklynite and a staunch supporter of the Democratic society, I am of the form belief that the future of the political landscape of Brooklyn can be very much shaped by an organization like this. I am seeking this position because I believe my skill set and network can be invaluable to this organization and that it is important that the leadership of an organization such as this should be diverse.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
Aside from the Legal expertise that I bring to the organization, I will also bring my experience of serving on the board of several organizations including:

NYC Employees Retirement System – Trustee
Best of Brooklyn – Director – General Counsel
Brooklyn Community Information and Culture / BCAT – Director
Puerto Rican Bar Association – Director/Student Liaison

As a student:

Fordham International Law Journal – Business & Articles Editor
Fordham Student Bar Association – Section Rep

El Grito de Lares – President
Amnesty International – Co-Founder

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
First and foremost,we must work toward creating a borough-wide organization. As I have discussed with members of the board already, I will incorporate the Brooklyn young dems so that we can formalize our bank accounts. Hand-in-hand with this borough-wide organization is a major fundraising campaign.

In addition to all of this – we should work toward voter registration in under-represented communities – in my area – that would predominantly be the Latino Community.

Arthur Craig

Position for which you wish to run
Central Regional Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?
I am seeking this position because I know that I can make the Brooklyn Young Democrats even better and more successful. I have taken on many leadership positions in my academic and professional life. I have supervised projects and organized volunteers. I will bring this skill set to the Brooklyn Young Democrats.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I organized for the Obama campaign in 2008. I began as a volunteer, became an intern, and was finally offered a job as a staffer. Before it was over, I worked in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Oregon, Montana and Florida. In every area I worked, I exceeded my goals. In Florida, in one of the most Republican counties in the state, I exceeded all of the Kerry 2004 benchmarks.

I hold a master’s of public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and am a public policy professional.

In my professional life, I am a Research Associate and Program Manager for the Peterson Foundation. I am an expert on retirement and health care policy and have sub-specializations in state and local finance.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I will make the Brooklyn Young Democrats the premier networking organization for young progressive professionals and students here in Brooklyn. To reach this goal I will:
• Organize more networking events in the Central Region
• Launch an aggressive membership recruitment drive
• I will make the Brooklyn Young Democrats a key resource for learning about careers in public service here in Brooklyn by organizing round tables of community leaders and professionals geared at introducing our membership to opportunities to become servant leaders here in Brooklyn

Rasheen Nicholson

Position for which you wish to run?
Central Regional Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?
I am seeking the position of the Central regional vice presidency to help the Brooklyn young democrats continue to grow as a borough, city wide and state wide organization that helps broaden the views and message of the great democratic party, to continue to help fight for the rights for all people in the borough or who comes to seek our help democrat or republican. I am also seeking this position to help be a median for our party for those who are out of touch with social and political issues and want to be involved and see that issues in their community are being observed and resolved.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
In 2007 I served as chairmen of publicity for the NAACP chapter at Southern Connecticut State University.
I helped get the message of upcoming events and note worth information out in the public through flyers, facebook and word of mouth.

2008 I was founder and President of Organization of Black Unity at Southern Connecticut State University.
OBU served as a bridge between campus life and the local community in New Haven. My organization was very vocal with other local organizations and state leaders on helping shooting down a proposal from the state to enact the Three strikes rule in the state of Connecticut. The Organization of Black unity was also a recognizable group all through out campus with educational events and awareness that affects the campus community.

2010 I served as Vice President of the College Democrats Southern Connecticut State University chapter.
Our goal was to rebuild and revitalize the party on our campus. Also to address issues that people have on our campus, local community, State and National level and bolster membership.

I also hosted my own radio shows called wake up radio and the Blitz zone, which catered towards left wing political views.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I would love to be a part of the rapid growth of membership and progress that I see in this organization. I vision a more expansive Brooklyn democrats within the college universities, communities and most of all in the halls of elementary, middle school and high schools. I would be very happy to see if we can get get more involved with political awareness and growth within the youth this year and years to come.

Priscilla Consolo

Position for which you wish to run?
Southern Regional Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?
As a resident of southern Brooklyn my entire life, I have seen first-hand the continuous Republican attempts to take over our traditionally Democratic community. To be quite frank, I am absolutely tired and disgusted with the Republican party’s mud-slinging, lie-spreading, manipulative and ethically-questionable games they persistently play with our residents. To me, this position is much more than just a place on this club’s executive board. Rather, it is a way for me to stand up and take action against the Republican party’s ceaseless scheming political tactics. I refuse to let southern Brooklyn turn red, especially with its high volume of Democratic voters. However, that threat – "a sea of red"- is becoming more and more desired by the Republican party, who are willing to deceive voters and play dirty tricks in order to achieve this goal. By being elected to this position, I believe I will help motivate my fellow young Democrats in Southern Brooklyn to take a stand against the Republicans. As the Southern Regional Vice-President, I will be able to expose the untruths and falsifications infecting the southern part of our borough by this red-colored disease. Southern Brooklyn has never been and will never be dominantly Republican – even in the GOP’s wildest dreams.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
The people of southern Brooklyn already have been acquainted with me and my work. Community-wide events which I have been apart of, and many of which I have led, have already been featured in numerous local newspapers and news stations. Thus, I have several established and strong relationships with the local press and journalists.

Furthermore, many of the local community leaders, in addition to a wide-range of elected officials, have been acquainted with my efforts. To phrase it in the most humble way possible, I’m pretty much known as that truly determined and tremendously hardworking high school kid from Gravesend (can she really be THAT young?) – who has become notorious for refusing to give up or back down.

Leading by example is perhaps my greatest achievement so far, and I have done so in a number of ways. First, last winter and spring I initiated a community grassroots campaign to preserve quality education in my neighborhood. I founded and organized the "Save I.S. 303" operation, which was a movement to halt a NYC Department of Education proposal to "co-locate" a charter school within my former middle school. It is important to note that I am not opposed to charter schools or co-locations in general. But rather, I am highly against any initiative of the DOE which will create unfairness and hurt our students – both of which were evident in this proposal. I brought the issue to the attention our local State Assemblyman, William Colton. I began working with him and his staff, as well as the teachers, students, and staff members of I.S. 303. I volunteered to hold meetings with parents, create posters, organize protests, contact the media, community leaders, and educational activists, and walk door-to-door throughout the neighborhood to gain signatures on the petitions we wrote. Furthermore, I gained the assistance of a local nonprofit legal organization, Advocates for Justice, who helped us ultimately file a lawsuit and an appeal to the city and state education departments. Ultimately we won the revisions to the proposal which made the plan more equal to the benefit of all the students. For those of you more interested in this, here is my speech at one of the DOE-issued public hearings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC0tDtrKV1A

As a result of that campaign, I was offered an internship with our local Assemblyman, William Colton, over the summer. Working as an intern in his district office, I organized a community campaign to keep our neighborhood clean. With the assistance of Assemblyman Colton, I coordinated the movement. The operation was titled "Speak-Up & Clean-Up" and enlisted the aid of six-hundred youth volunteers in total. Through interning in Mr. Colton’s district office, I learned many constituents were complaining about the unsanitary conditions enveloping the neighborhood. I spoke with Colton about the issue and we initiated the campaign. Thus, I organized three large neighborhood clean-up events where student volunteers, including myself, swept and gathered trash scattered throughout selected areas. We also passed out flyers I created which listed suggestions on maintaining cleanliness. In our largest clean-up event, four-hundred young volunteers cleaned up a major commercial region of our community, covering over twenty blocks.

In September, Assemblyman Colton gave me a part-time position on his staff, making me possibly the youngest person working for a State Assembly Member. While working on Assemblyman Colton’s staff as his Special Assistant, I have attended union rallies, visited senior centers, and helped solve the various problems of our constituents. Currently, I am executing a campaign to restore full service on the B64 and B82 bus lines in southern Brooklyn, which were the victim of recent MTA service reductions.

In addition, I am currently the Vice-President of Membership of the United Progressive Democratic Club, previously serving as an Executive Board Member.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I believe we need to start reaching out to the younger generation of Brooklyn Democrats within our greater community. The majority of members in this club are in their mid-to-late twenties and early thirties – college graduates and full-time employees. However, we’re forgetting about the younger Democrats in Brooklyn. What about those in high school or college? Aren’t their support and help just as valuable? If I’m elected to this position, I would first invite students attending Brooklyn high schools and colleges to join this club. Furthermore, I would extend this invitation to all students in Brooklyn between the ages of sixteen and thirty-six. Most high schools and colleges already have democratic clubs and/or other political organizations. I would contact those clubs and organizations and inform them of the BYD’s and the importance of joining our group. The more we expand our influence, the more new members we recruit. And with an increase in membership and a tighter association between us, young Democrats of all ages will be able to become a stronger force within our borough.

My second initiative is to gain more media coverage of the BYD’s – especially with our events. The only way to make people aware of our club and enlighten them about our mission and our work is to have coverage by the press. The local news channels and newspapers would certainly be interested in hearing about our club, which is still blooming and continuously flourishing. As the Southern Regional Vice-President, I would set up a "Press Committee" to handle contacting the local media. This committee would be responsible for making phone calls, distributing press releases and advisories, and most importantly, developing relationships with local journalists. By gaining media exposure, we would make more people aware of our efforts, which will only further help us increase our influence and membership.

Seamus Campbell

Position for which you wish to run?
Secretary

Why are you seeking this position?
I have served as Secretary for the past year. I have worked hard to keep accurate minutes, to tally who has attended each of our events, and to make the work of my fellow Executive Board members as easy as possible. All I want is to do is to continue that legacy.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
I have a BS in Information Science from Fordham University and for the past 1 and 1/2 years, I have served as Webmaster to the Brooklyn Borough President. My skills in the IT field. It forces me to me meticulous in data gathering and integrity while never overlooking even the smallest of details.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?
I intend to fully implement a membership database system that I have created which would track member attendance, funds paid, and voting eligibility with very minimal work by any members of the Executive Board. With it, any member can see if dues are paid, if they have not been to enough meetings to constitute a right to vote, etc from a simple web app.

Ted Anastasiou

Position for which you wish to run
Treasurer

Why are you seeking this position?
I’m seeking this position because I believe in the mission and values of the Brooklyn Young Democrats, and would be proud to serve the organization and its chapter members in the coming year. If elected Treasurer, I am confident that BYD will be able to raise enough funds to support events and project initiatives to expand its membership base and raise the organization’s profile across the borough and City.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?
As national chair for the Law School Democrats of America, a caucus of the College Democrats and the official law student arm of the Democratic National Committee, I oversee, among other areas, our finance operations. We have partnered with Lawyers for Obama and the New York Democratic Lawyers Council to raise money for the presidential re-election campaign. Given the success of such collaborations, I would like BYD to pursue joint ventures with similar organizations and constituencies in the wider New York area to ensure that we achieve our fundraising goals for the next year.

In addition, I both interned and worked in the finance office for the Andrew Cuomo’s attorney general campaign, and will rely on my fundraising experiences there if elected as BYD Treasurer.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?

In order for BYD to have enough financial support to achieve its goals, I think it would be best to implement a series of low-dollar fundraising events and speaker panels to not only raise money, but also provide a way for young Democrats to meet and connect with one another.

Our February meeting will be at Eamonn Doran’s (174 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 112016) at 7:30pm. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/263200437085402/.

I have to admit, it was legitimately entertaining. Firstly, for the first minute or so, there was a debate on how my name was pronounced (it is pronounced Shay-muss, for the record). It brought back funny memories for me on how many birthday cards and checks I have received wherein my name was spelled “Shamus;” the banks accepted those checks, for the record.

They listed their list of grievances against me and how I was being advantageous on calling David Storobin a white supremacist. Fine, whatever. They did predict a rebuttal coming (as found here), so props to them on their ability to predict the future.

However, right after they announced their pre-cognition, they said “This was written on the Brooklyn Young Democrats’ website, which we will not plug here” (for the record, they refused to link to my blog post in the once in which they condemn mine). Ironically, our site, the next morning had the most amount of traffic since April (which was caused, unfortunately, by the death of our Northern Regional Vice President Hope Reichbach -knowing her, she would be loving this free publicity).

Then, we were accused of having not much of an organization. Our organization is almost 2 years old (after a long hiatus), theirs is about 1 year old (after the former Brooklyn Young Republicans lost their charter and the current ones emerged in their stead, I should add). I cannot say how large their group is, but we do average 50 or so people at each meeting (which is caused by us rotating meeting locations to various parts of the borough) and our mailing list has about 200 names on it.

The best part, however, is that we were accused of being the Brooklyn Young Republicans chapter (which lost its charter). Interestingly, we have been accused of this before. The blog “The Jig Is Up Atlas” once used our logo (which I myself designed) in reference to the former organization (I would link to it, but the site no longer exists, thankfully, I do have a copy saved in my personal RSS reader and you can find it here). (As a side not, many of the officers of the former BYRs have donated to the current BYRs, look for yourselves (the NYS Board of Elections website is down currently -10:36 PM 1/29/11- I will post a link in the morning)).

Of course, my argument was never meant to call Mr. Storobin a racist, but simply to ask where all of his blog posts went. They say that asking why a user-generated blog post was taken down was a low. I was not attacking a single blog post that was deleted, but rather, 7 years’ worth of blog posts. If Global Politician was just some random site and one of their contributors was running for state senate, I could understand them taking down posts attributed to the contributor. It could be considered an in-kind donation to his campaign. I am not an expert in campaign finance law, but I do know that whenever Tom Allon, who is running for Mayor of the City of New York, is mentioned in any of the publications his company, Manhattan Media (publisher of City & State NY),he is mentioned as such as to avoid improprieties. Storobin was Editor-in-Chief; if a simple statement went out that said that no post was meant to be an endorsement and/or an in-kind contribution to his campaign and the stories continued to exist, this all would be a non-story. The story I am raising is why the posts were deleted. Seriously, that’s it.

Gene Berardelli say that the Brooklyn Young Democrats and Councilman Fidler owe an apology to Mr. Storobin. For the record, we, the Brooklyn Young Democrats, have no coordinated our activities with Councilman Fidler’s campaign. All we have done is endorse him (done by a majority vote of our Executive Board) and educate our membership on campaign events (which we do for any Democratic campaign that reached out to us). As for any statements I have made, again, I refer you all to the bottom of this web page: “The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Brooklyn Young Democrats, New York State Young Democrats, Young Democrats of America, Kings County Democratic Committee, New York State Democratic Party, Democratic National Committee or any related entity.” I have apologized for any false insinuation I have made, but, by no means, should things I say in my name, be construed to be representative of the Brooklyn Young Democrats or any other related organization.

Apparently, there is a “stronger” word that is meant to be used against me other than “buffoon,” but it was not uttered.

He [Storobin] said that Mr. [Councilman Lewis] Fidler held rallies for gay groups that netted one $85 million in city funding, and another rally for a different group which netted them $3 million in funding per year.

Asked in an interview what he was referring to, Mr. Storobin said that he gleaned the information from YouTube [emphasis mine] and suggested The Politicker search the website for Mr. Fidler’s name. The rallies he is referring to could not be located.

You know who also considered YouTube a legitimate news source? Pastor Terry “Burn A Quran Day” Jones.

“We vehemently oppose the proposed State Senate maps released yesterday. This is gerrymandering at its absolute worst, a petty and cynical attempt by the Republican-controlled Senate to maintain its majority at all costs. There was clearly no care given to the goals of reform that countless legislators pledged to uphold in the 2010 election cycle. This proposal tears apart neighborhoods, ignores demographic trends and actively seeks to diminish the voice of young progressive voters. Furthermore, through blatant manipulation of district size, Republicans have weakened the voting power of New York City residents in comparison to their upstate counterparts. This transparent charade threatens to undermine the progress Albany has made in the last year of restoring the public’s faith in our democracy. We applaud Governor Cuomo for stating publicly he will veto these proposed district lines, and it is our hope that he will keep to this promise for the good of New York State. We as Young Democrats will not stand idly by during this debate. We will continue to fight for an independent redistricting commission that will ensure fair and representative voting for all New Yorkers, regardless of party affiliation.”

The arguments they raise in their blog post are valid, but not relevant to the argument I have been making. No one has denied that David Storobin was Editor in Chief of Global Politician. Russel Gallo, in the post states “Campbell “demands” to know why the article that prompted Fidler’s contemptible comments was removed by the source website – like Storobin or anyone else is supposed to know! The Storobin campaign does not run the website. The website has an editorial board and accepts online submissions. Clearly, there can be any number of reasons!” I never asked why one post was deleted. I wanted to know why ALL of Storobin’s posts were deleted. The site is 7 years old. By letting people see the posts Storobin wrote, there would be a more well-rounded picture of him as a person, how he thinks, and his stances on the issues (which would probably HELP him influence voters). Taken out of the larger context, one post by itself could invoke different connotations about how the writer thinks. Thus, having all of the posts there helps the public understand the broader context. (As I like to say, in the past 50 years, the average soundbyte in the press has gone from 40 seconds to 8 seconds and how much can really be said in 8 seconds?)

I never said or meant to imply that I thought he had white supremacist views, I quoted Crain’s Insider’s story which, at one point, stated “Storobin had founded and written for a website whose articles have been picked up by white-supremacist chat rooms.” I will admit that I misspoke when I ever implied that Mr. Storobin held pro-white supremacist views. I meant to imply that if those chat rooms picked up articles that were either in his name or not, it could be construed, since he is Editor-in-Chief, that he and/or his editorial staff endorsed pro-white supremacist views. I should note that I could not find any statement on GP that said that the views on the site were those of the writer themselves (on this site, on the bottom of every page is a statement “This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Brooklyn Young Democrats, New York State Young Democrats, Young Democrats of America, Kings County Democratic Committee, New York State Democratic Party, Democratic National Committee or any related entity”). I never meant to say or imply that Mr. Storobin held such views and I do apologize. I never intended to put words in his mouth or make false claims, obviously, I have and I am sorry. I sympathize with what Mr. Storobin has had to endure as a Soviet immigrant, my Irish-Catholic family had to endure a lot just a century ago to get themselves established in society; though I wasn’t alive then, family stories have lived-on.

I should mention that I spoke to an acquaintance of mine, who is a Democrat and a Russian Jew as well, two days ago about this story. He did point out that much of the story was driven by claims of guilt by association, I did agree. In fact, I was considering writing a post about how much guilt by association claims influence our political rhetoric. In the draft I had in my mind, I was going to mention this story and Newt Gingrich’s connections to Freddie Mac. In all honesty, I got caught up in something and writing the blog post took a back burner in my list of priorities.

But, the argument that I tried to drive home and, unfortunately, tangents by both myself and the opposing side caused this to happen, was that we live in a democracy where our leaders are accountable to us. We deserve to know how they think and how they feel on this issues. My argument was why would someone who had a chance at free media exposure (via a site he controlled from long before he was a senate candidate) and give his constituents a chance to see how well-versed he was on a variety of topics allow posts to be taken down? Mr. Gallo states that there could have been a variety of reasons why the posts were deleted. I have been saying that all along. Yes, I did imply that the fact that they were deleted just before he announced his candidacy looked suspicious. But, I did say time and time again that since GP was a database-driven website, likely, the database would be regularly backed-up. If there was some problem, technological, human, or otherwise, that caused the posts to vanish, why wasn’t the database just restored? I have asked that question time and time again to no response.

The argument, made by Mr. Gallo to me via Twitter, that started all of this, was “dvid [David Storobin] is a jew. Not many white supremacist jews out there brother.” The point I tried to make which really caused all of this to snowball is that being part of a group, any group, does not make you exempt from holding beliefs contrary to those of the members of the group or hating the group altogether.

I am being accused of using smoke and mirrors and reading directly from “page 57″ of the Southern Brooklyn Democratic “playbook” (three problems with that accusation: I live in North Brooklyn, if such a playbook actually exists, I don’t own a copy, and also, what’s so important that is written on page 57?). But they are doing the exact same thing. I said, here is the accusation, they tried diverting to their Twitter story, I kept hitting at them on why ALL of the posts were deleted, they said the accusation was oxymoronic, a debate on ethnic heritage ensued; once that was done, I re-asked my original question, they said they didn’t know, I asked why they didn’t restore the posts from their database backups, they didn’t respond and then they say a variety of reasons why the post (NOT plural) vanished. They are playing smoke and mirrors as much as they are accusing me of doing.

I asked two questions: why were the posts deleted and why weren’t the posts restored from backups. I was told that they didn’t know what happened to the posts and they haven’t responded to my backup question. If they said that no backups to the site were ever made, that is an answer and I would take them at their word.

I am being accused of being in cahoots with Fidler because he and I have been echoing each other’s rhetoric. However, the first and, so far, only time I have met Fidler or any member of his staff was last Wednesday. I do not work on the campaign and I do not speak for the campaign. The only person I speak for when I blog in my name is myself. For the sake of transparency and accountability in our democracy, I demanded to have some questions answered and a game of smoke and mirrors was played against me and construed me into a type of person I myself would revile. This is not fair to any of us. All of us say and imply things we do not mean when we try to save our own hides and/or try to side-step a topic of contention. It is just fact. I joke that if I was a television interviewer, I would lock myself and the interviewee in the studio until I was given concrete answers because seeing talk show guests avoid a question is one of my biggest pet peeves.

I want all campaigns, not just political ones, to be of ideas and transparency. We all have done and said things that we are not proud of. They say it is never the crime, always the cover-up that does someone in. Since I was little, my parents had a rule for me: if I told the truth, I would not get in trouble. How often do we see our elected officials have to leave office in disgrace and how many of those occasions were made worse by trying to cover-up the act? I truly baffles my mind that our leaders do not trust in how forgiving the public can be.

I have done dumb things in the past and said things that I shouldn’t have. But I don’t run away from my past. I don’t blog under an alias and I know that I have some tweets and Facebook posts that would make most people think less of me. I don’t delete them, I man-up to them and explain what I meant and/or the greater context. If I was wrong, either by self-reflection or by new facts coming to light, I will admit I was wrong. I am human, I have made mistakes, but is in falling that we rise up even higher. If that all makes me a buffoon, then name me “Buffoon of Eternity.”

General Contact: BrooklynYDs@gmail.com

BROOKLYN YOUNG DEMOCRATS ENDORSE LEW FIDLER IN UPCOMING SENATE SPECIAL ELECTION

Brooklyn – The Brooklyn Young Democrats is proud to formally endorse Councilman Lewis Fidler in his run for the New York State Senate Seat recently vacated by Carl Kruger.

“I live in the 27th senatorial district and my council district neighbors Councilman Fidler’s,” said Brooklyn Young Democrats President Amanda Pizzuti. “He is a strong progressive and common-sense voice in government. I know that he will properly represent me and the other 150,000 other residents of the district. My neighborhood got a hard blow last September with Bob Turner’s election with his out-of-touch and draconian beliefs; but I am confident that the seat will stay Democratic and we will have an advocate for our values.”

Fidler, earlier this week, was formally endorsed by the Kings County Democratic Committee as their official nominee for the special election. Fidler will run against Republican David Storobin in a special election to be held on March 20.

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In case you didn’t read the tweets (and I am sure 90% of you didn’t), let me sum up: last night, I inquired about why Storobin’s blog posts on Global Politician were deleted. First, early this morning, I was told that since Storobin is Jewish himself, he could not be a white supremacist. I countered that Adolf Hitler was one-quarter Jewish. I was, of course, (and rightfully so) attacked for that. I later made another metaphor: Voldermort (from the Harry Potter books) was 1/2 “mudblood” (a witch/wizard that is born to non-magical parents and/or a witch/wizard that has one magical and one non-magical parent), yet he aimed to eliminate all mudblood and partial-bloods. (In my opinion, their argument is like saying that since I am an Irish Catholic, I have to espose pro-IRA views because they are my kin, which I do not.)

However, whenever I asked why the blog posts were deleted, I was referred to a story City & State NY reported on last week on Storobin’s former Twitter account (@Storobin4Senate; in that story, Kornbluh said that he gave Storobin his account which had 800 followers at the time of the transfer. Twitter is VERY good at preventing its posts from being archived (except from the Library of Congress, but I don’t feel like traveling down to Washington to just look up a tweet). So, I will give Kornbluh the benefit of the doubt.

Notice the deflection, though. They are equating the tweets with the blog posts. They are not the same thing. I want to know, and I feel that the American people deserve to know why the posts were deleted. I asked the BYRs, in the Twitter debate, if the website’s database back-end lost the posts for whatever reason and, if so, why wasn’t the database restored. (It is common practice in database-powered websites to have a backup of the data, in a Structured Query Language (SQL) format, be automatically generated on a regular schedule. For example, I get a backup of this site’s posts and pages sent to me via email one per week for in case something goes awry.) I was never given an answer. The posts STILL EXIST. I linked to them in a previous post.

To go on a small tangent, I find it mildly amusing how the Brooklyn Young Republicans are equating tweets with blog posts. Any media studies student can tell you that in the past 50 years, the average sound-byte has gone from 40 seconds to 8. How much can be said in 8 seconds? Similarly, how much can be said in a tweet versus a blog post. I go on this tangent because by only 140 characters to express a much larger point causes some details to be missed; thus, tweets could be easily be taken out of context and the tweets could be justifiable. But a blog post serves as an essay-format of a tweet. Blogs are to essays as thesis statements are to tweets. Why, then, would a possible source of context be deleted? If anything, it would give the public a stronger understanding of how Mr. Storobin feels on the issues.

Back to the story at hand, I will admit that I sometimes put my foot in my mouth. However, when I am wrong or I misspeak or my views on an issue change, I will man-up to it. People correct me all the time on Twitter and Facebook. When they are right and I realize my fault I admit it. Similarly, I will say when I agree or disagree with someone I normally wouldn’t based on arguments made. I know what I stand for as a politico, I am willing to defend or condemn views that, respectively, I continue to hold or no longer hold. If there is a smear campaign against me (EVER), I am willing to sit down with my accuser and give my side of the story and detail my opinions. To be cliche, “I am an open book.” I have, to date, NOT asked why Mr. Storobin has (or has not) held views promoting white supremacy. I am just asking why the posts have been deleted.

I have never met a person alive that has advocated for a less transparent and a less accountable government. Our elected officials report to us. Why would someone, seeking to represent us, try to hide something from us? His constituents are looking for someone to trust, yet he could be lying to them? Though I do not live in the district, many close friends of mine do; I would be ashamed of my government to have a single representative that was not speaking for his or her constituents.

So, I implore David Storobin, his supporters, the Kings County Republican Committee, and/or the Brooklyn Young Republicans to answer one simple question: Why were the posts written by Mr. David Storobin, Esq. deleted from GlobalPolitician.com prior to when he announced that he was planning to seek the state senate seat vacated by Carl Kruger?

The almost laughable pro-Brooklyn GOP blog The Jig Is Up Atlas has been promoting Storobin’s senate run. Correction: has.

One of the first stories that appeared on my Facebook News Feed this evening was one by Gatemouth that reported that TJIUA has become a private blog. For all intents and purposes, the blog is dead. I cannot say which was the final nail in the coffin for TJIUA, Gatemouth reporting the story in the first place or me posting links to the questionable content which would make Storobin face his past. But, all I can say is: #WINNING!

Brooklyn Republicans this week tapped David Storobin to run in the special state Senate election to succeed Carl Kruger with—they claim—no knowledge that Storobin had founded and written for a website whose articles have been picked up by white-supremacist chat rooms.

Storobin, a Brighton Beach attorney and vice chairman of the Brooklyn GOP, served as editor-in-chief of the site, Global Politician, and published scores of articles over several years, blogger Gatemouth recently revealed on the Room Eight politics site. Brooklyn GOP Chairman Craig Eaton said that was news to him.

…

Storobin’s postings on the site recently vanished. Storobin said he has no idea who took down the postings or why, but he stood by his work. “My views have evolved over the years, but there’s nothing I’ve been ashamed of,” he said. “I’m very proud of the stuff I’ve written.”

A May 2005 Storobin piece that resurfaced on another website is an interview he conducted with an official from Freedom Front, a white-separatist group in South Africa. The group supports a whites-only colony there called Orania and accuses the South African government of using affirmative action to keep whites out of the job market.

If Storobin is not ashamed of the articles, why have they disappeared? Well, they say that once something is published on the Internet, it exists forever. It does. Ladies and gentlemen: I present the Internet Archive‘s collection of ALL postings ever on Global Politician: http://wayback.archive.org/web/*/http://www.globalpolitician.com/.

I have not (and likely will not) go through the 7 years of articles. Unfortunately, the website does not have a digest of articles filtered by author. If you find any articles of interest, please comment with a link.

Moral of the story: be careful what you post on the web.

Yesterday, City & State reported that Golden has procured more than $770,000 to the Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst Beautification and Preservation Alliance. The non-proft “held a summer concert series and ran a free bus service for neighborhood seniors – both named for Golden.” One problem: Golden founded the Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst Beautification and Preservation Alliance; in fact, Golden himself registered the non-profit with the New York State Department of State. This is not good news since many New York politicians have lately been under scrutiny for having non-profits as their pet-projects on the side and use the organizations for political means (or at least give the impression to do at first glimpse). Being lumped into the same pile as ex-Sen. Pedro Espada’s ethics problems with his Soundview Healthcare Network must not be fun for Marty.

Then, yesterday afternoon, Colin Campbell of the New York Observer (formally of The Brooklyn Politics blog) reported that “Marty Golden is ‘Disappointed’ by Cuomo’s State of the State Speech.” You gotta feel bad for Golden, he had to travel all of the way up to Albany, start the 2012 Legislative Session, and head over to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center to hear Governor Cuomo’s State of the State, all just to be “disappointed.” Golden said in a statement

As a former New York City Police Officer, I am disappointed by the Governor’s failure to focus on an agenda to keep New York’s citizens and families safe. One of the most basic fundamentals New Yorkers must enjoy is a safe State in which to live, work and raise a family. We can’t ignore the fact that there are areas of criminal justice that must be addressed.”

Oh dear, Governor Andrew Cuomo didn’t address public safety in his State of the State Address? Please tell us that that was the only issue Governor Cuomo failed to address.

The Governor also failed to mention efforts to eliminate Medicaid and auto insurance fraud in our State. The longer we allow such acts of fraud to continue, the longer we will suffer financially as a government and as consumers.

But wait, didn’t Governor Cuomo, when he served as New York State Attorney General make one of his key policy issues trying to eliminate such frauds? Okay, I guess Golden can make one mistake every now and then. Wait, that wasn’t the only other thing he got wrong?

Colin Campbell reported this morning that Golden challenger Andrew Gounardes said that Golden is being disingenuous. “Unfortunately, Marty Golden strangely chose to criticize our Governor for being weak on public safety, despite the fact that the Governor proposed expanding the DNA database to cover all crimes,” Gounardes said in a statement. Uh-oh. This just in: it gets worse:

Mr. Gounardes then digs up the past and calls Senator Golden’s criticism “hypocritical and disingenuous,” due to a 2010 vote on legislation to require ammunition to have traceable microstamping. Senator Golden had missed the vote, but said he would have opposed the bill anyway.

(Gatemouth has an interesting piece on these aforementioned stories.)

Now, Celeste Katz of the Daily News is reporting that Senator Golden is upset that a new safe-sex PSA is using slang language (i.e. “raw dogging” as a euphemism for non-protected sex) and promotes safe-sex via satire (the PSA shows what the possible side-effects of unprotected sex are like pregnancies and various STDs). Golden said in a statement

I believe that such an improper advertisement, paid for by the New York taxpayers, should be shown only in age-appropriate high school classroom settings. The fact that this video is available for people of all ages to view on the internet is alarming. . . In this day and age, it is dangerous to indirectly advocate for safe sex. This campaign has the potential to confuse our youth and encourage them to actually engage in unsafe sex. This advertisement campaign must be reevaluated as it is my belief that it could actually cause unintended consequences, such as a rise in teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Is this true? Let’s see what raunchy language and innuendos this PSA has

Oh no, I don’t know if unprotected sex is safe or not. Hold on, there is more to Kazt’s article

[Daily News reporter Simone] Weichselbaum reported that state DOH spokesperson Peter Constantakes defended the tax-dollar sponsored videos as not “obscene” or “x-rated,” while students said using teen talk instead of medical jargon is a most effective way to get their safe-sex message across.

Brooklyn state Assemblyman Rafael Espinal said the videos “capture the realities of what is happening in inner-city neighborhoods like the ones I represent” — although he cautioned that the videos are “too raw” to be viewed by kids under 13.

Yikes, I guess Marty Golden is batting 1,000 when it comes to being out-of-touch of the needs of the people of Brooklyn. I just hope for his sake that this is the only bad press that he gets this election cycle.

(I got $10 on Senator Golden making another out-of-touch statement in the next week. Any Takers?)

From Politicker NY:

I, for my part, don’t want to offend anyone, but the Bible, the word of God; calls it fornication to live as husband and wife without having made this union a wedding officially blessed by God and man,” Senator Diaz wrote in remarks translated from the original Spanish.

For a Pentacostal minister, it seems Diaz forgets two important Bible passages: “Let he without sin cast the first stone” and the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14).

For the hell of it, I decided to check the Federal Election Commission’s website to see if any big-box store has donated to Allen. Lo and behold, it seems that Wal-Mart donated $5,000 in Allen’s 2000 race and two sets of $5,000 in his 2006 Senate race.

So, George Allen is against big box stores when he is an actor but not a legislator? Okay.

http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/can_give/2005_S8VA00214

As you already know, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Bill is close to my heart. (Yesterday, I chose to read the Congressional Record in order to see what the stated opposition to the bill was. Other than the tax on foreign companies, there was concern that money would go to illegal immigrants. Of course, I took exception to that. The heroes of 9/11 didn’t ask the people they saved if they were legal or not; we should not do the same to them.) That is why I was concerned yesterday when I heard that the President will be staying on vacation in Hawaii until January 2^nd.

Once a bill is passed by both Houses of Congress, the President has 10 days to sign, veto, or do nothing to the bill. If he does nothing, after 10 days, the bill automatically becomes a law. However, if a session of Congress expires before those 10 days expire and the President fails to take any action, the bill does not become law. This is called a “Pocket Veto.”

The Zadroga Bill passed Congress on December 22. The 111^th Congress expires at the beginning of the new year. Thus, I was concerned when and where the President would sign the bill.

Thankfully, this morning, I read this tweet by White House New Media Director (and one of my idols, in full disclosure) Macon Phillips:

So, I tweeted:

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs responded:

I was relieved to know that the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Bill will become law.

As a side note, this is our 100th post. Merry Christmas!

I just wonder what the reaction and thoughts are for people watching this in, say, Iowa. Come to think of it, I am also curious to know what they think a Borough President is and does.

Sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/public-funding-presidential-campaigns_n_1124436.html, http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/house-aims-to-ax-the-200-million-taxpayer-fund-for-presidential-campaigns/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election_Assistance_Commission

12/16/11 11:43 AM: UPDATES BELOW

The Holiday Season is upon us. No, this blog post isn’t about political correctness. At least, not really.

My two favorite Christmas movies are Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Christmas Every Day. One of these films was part of the original “25 Days of Christmas” on The Family Channel. (For those of you that do not remember, Pat Robertson and the Christian Broadcasting Company owned The Family Channel which was fold to Fox and Haim Saban (which made it the Fox Family Channel) who then later sold it to ABC/Disney (which made it the ABC Family Channel). In case you were wondering, there is a provision in the licensing with CBN that “Family” always rename in the name; as well as The 700 Club and its telethons continue to air.) That same movie no longer airs (I believe the last time it did was 2005). Which movie is this? Christmas Every Day.

I have realized something in common about these two films. Something that did not occur to me until last year. They both feature politicians in cameo roles. Christmas Every Day features then-Governor George Allen (the movie came out in 1996, he was Governor from 1994 to 1996). Home Alone 2: Lost in New York features Donald Trump (the then-owner of The Plaza Hotel, where Kevin (the protagonist portrayed by Macaulay Culkin) stays).

Earlier this year, there was talk that Donald Trump would run for President (there is talk once again that he will). I realized something, if Trump ran for President, many networks could not air Home Alone 2: Lost in New York because it could be considered an in-kind contribution and/or be in violation of some equal-airtime laws. In case you are wondering what the scene is, it below:

I am not trying to be a conspiracy theorist as much as I want to tell America that Christmas Every Day has a lot more to do with Christmas than the Harry Potter series (no offense to HP fans).

Update: Just found out that Christmas Every Day will be playing on ABC Family on December 21, 2011 at 9 AM EST. I guess my question has been solved and the answer was in the negative.
Update 2: It seems someone uploaded a copy of the movie to YouTube.

This afternoon, around 3pm, the occupied moved to selected areas around the city including Brooklyn’s Borough Hall Plaza. I was on the scene. In fact, Colin Campbell of The Brooklyn Politics blog used a photo I tweeted of the protest in a blog post.

As the various protests broke up, the occupiers took to the subways, hoping to congest the system.

Meanwhile, at around 4pm, occupiers marched across the Brooklyn Bridge from Foley Square in Manhattan. As they exited the bridge footpath, at around 7:45, they started to converge in Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn. I live right across the street from the park, so I went to participate and take some photos and videos. I must say that the protest was very peaceful. Cops were on the scene just in case. But, the most violent thing I saw was an impromptu game of tag on the soccer field.

Colin Campbell tweeted that I had the “goldmine of BK’s Cadman Plaza Park #OWS protest video footage.” I’ll let you decide for yourselves. The playlist of the videos I recorded are below.

The photos I took of the protest at Borough Hall this afternoon and the protest in Cadman Plaza Park are below

The conservative approach to the role of government is that the government that governs least governs best. For example,Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul, in response to federal preparation for Hurricane Irene, called for budget cuts for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) because he feels the states are better suited to provide the proper assistance to natural disasters. Similarly, Mitt Romney said that his health care plan for Massachusetts, during his tenure as Governor, was a "state solution to a state problem."

This time, last year, after pressure by Speaker-elect John Boehner and the Catholic League (and many more individuals and organizations), the National Portrait Gallery removed an exhibit by artist David Wojnarowicz named "Hide/Seek" because it was deemed "sacrilegious". The exhibit included a 21-minute artistic video by Wojnarowicz called A Fire in My Belly (WARNING: THE LINK IS TO A COPY OF THE VIDEO AND MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AUDIENCES). The controversy arose due to a 10-second scene in the film depicting the crucifix covered with ants.

This exhibit starts a display at the Brooklyn Museum starting next Friday, November 18.

If this sounds familiar, it is because it is. From October 1999 to January 2000, the Brooklyn Museum presented an art exhibit entitled "Sensation." "Sensation" gained notoriety for one of the paintings included in the exhibit: The Holy Virgin Mary (I am only providing a link to the Wikipedia page, which has a link to the image, and not the image itself due to its sensitive nature) by Chris Ofili. The painting showed a portrait of the Virgin Mary "adorned" with butterflies (in reality, female pornographic images). The part that was the most "sensational," however, is that the female portrait contained an exposed breast and stands… both of which were made of elephant dung.

As you could imagine, there was much backlash to the exhibit, sometimes violent. Then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani threatened to withdraw an annual $7 million grant to the Brooklyn Museum as punishment for showing the exhibit. The House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution to end all federal funding for the museum. One man, Dennis Heiner, threw white paint at the portrait in order to hide the depiction; another man, Scott LoBaido, threw horse manure at the facade of the Brooklyn Museum.

Now, eleven years later, we seem to be at a similar situation.

Organizations like the Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, and the Parents Television Council call for bans of televisions they deem harmful to the developing minds of children. Furthermore, the Federal Communications Commission is not unfamiliar for fining television networks for airing "inappropriate" content.

I entered St. Mary’s Elementary School in Manhasset, NY in the 4^th grade in 1998. One year prior, South Park premiered on Comedy Central. Soon after the launch of the show, the then (and still current) principal sent a letter home to parents of students warning them of the content of the show. When rumors flooded that the pubescent boys were… well… acting like pubescent boys, the principal personally sought to reprimanding the students for actions happening at the students’ homes.

I was informed of the "Hide/Seek" exhibit this afternoon by a co-worker. She and I both recalled "Sensation" (in case you were wondering, I was ten-years-old when it debuted in New York and I knew about it because I started watching the nightly news when I was six-years-old). The co-worker and I are both Catholic and she and I had the same reaction: if you take offense to "Hide/Seek" and/or "Sensation," there is a simple remedy to the problem: DON’T GO SEE IT! Too often there are complaints about the content on television and radio and it is not considered suitable for some audiences. That is a completely valid argument with which I also agree. However, there is no requirement to watch or listen to said content. I am not a fan of neither Fox News nor MSNBC because I do not like the method by which either network reports the news; however, I do not say they should not have the right to report the news; I just don’t watch it. If there is content, on any channel, that I do not like or am uninterested in, I simply change the channel. The first time I saw the musical Spring Awakening, I noticed that one middle-aged couple that was sitting in front of me (I was in the 2^nd seat in in the 3^rd row in the Orchestra on stage left) left after the intermission; I assume they just did not like the content, so they chose not to be further exposed to it. It is as simple as that.

We know that you will be getting up bright and early to go to the polls. However, some people need a little more of a push. There are some real tight races for seats on the County Legislatures of Nassau, Westchester and Rockland as well as two tight County Executive races in Suffolk and Erie counties. Plus, the entire New Jersey legislature is getting elected! So, once you are done scanning-in your ballots tomorrow, call up everyone you know that lives in those areas and make sure they vote!

And, once Wednesday comes, the 2012 election cycle will begin. And how else to get pumped and prepared to take back the State Senate, Congress, and keep the White House than by having a good ‘ol Brooklyn Young Democrats Meeting? (Hint: there is no better way.) Our friends over at the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (1424 Fulton Street, Brooklyn) have opened their doors for our November meeting (so a big thanks to them is in order!). Since the Thanksgiving season is upon us, we thought it would be best that we give back to the community by collecting canned goods for the needy. We ask that everyone comes to the meeting on Wednesday with two cans that we will pass on to a local food bank. The meeting begins at 7:30pm. For more information, please go to https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265067470203899. Oh, and don’t be surprised if some reps from some of the 2012 candidates show up.

This Saturday, from 10am to 1pm, Assemblyman William Colton will he holding a neighborhood cleanup and volunteers are needed. Anyone who is interested in helping making sure our neighborhoods stay clean and safe, should check out the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175980675817542 and click on ‘Attending.’

Remember, go out and vote tomorrow and make sure everyone you know votes (preferably voting across Row A). If you see any problems at your local polling place such as electioneering, broken machines, etc., contact the Board of Elections IMMEDIATELY at 1-866-868-3692 or tweet to them (@BOENYC) using the hashtag #nycvotes. If you are unsure where your polling place is or want to see a sample ballot, please go to the BOE website at http://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/

Get ready to see a giant blue wave cross the nation tomorrow!

Assembly members Vito Lopez, Hakeem Jeffries, Council members Stephen Levin and Jumanne Williams, Senator Eric Adams Borough President Marty Markowitz joined SEIU Local 32BJ, New York Hotel Trades Council, and the AFL-CIO to tell the public that now is the time to end corporate greed and bring jobs back home.

This morning, I, in full disclosure, forgot my camera so I had to photograph and record using my iPod Touch. You can view the photos at http://www.brooklynyds.com/media/photos/march-across-brooklyn-bridge-we-are-the-99/. I tried to record video, but my iPod’s battery was going low, so I was only able to record the remarks by Borough President Marty Markowitz.

A bit about the film:

GRASSROOTS is a character-driven comedy about the power of the people and the virtues of standing up for what you believe in. Against all odds.

True story. Grant Cogswell is a short-tempered, unemployed music critic – an oddball
outsider with a predilection for wearing polar bear suits, and a deep love for Seattle.
Cogswell thinks he can harness the power of the people to improve his city. And heʼs
right. Almost.

Itʼs 2001 — before Twitter, before the flash mob, before Obama, and Cogswell decides
he must do the impossible: run against an incumbent city council member whoʼs already
raised a huge campaign war chest and sewn up all the cityʼs biggest political endorsements. Grant dreams of an elegant monorail gliding silently above the cityʼs wet streets, and he is apoplectic with rage that McIverʼs alternate mass transit proposal is a costly idea that would destroy the cityʼs lower class neighborhoods.

Grant has a snowballʼs chance in hell of winning his campaign until he lures recently
fired alternative-weekly reporter Phil Campbell to run his campaign. Phil may be a
campaign neophyte, but he has the tact that Grant lacks, and frankly he canʼt think of
anything better to do with his time. But things start to look really bad until Grant attracts an army of wild-eyed young volunteers to back his unlikely crusade, and the impossible begins to happen.

Itʼs politics. But not as usual.

Jon Stewart showed a scene of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor saying that we have to take the country back. As I alluded to on my personal Twitter account whenever I hear the words “take,” “country,” and “back” used together, I am reminded of the Broadway musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.

I saw BBAJ last November and the show itself showed the basic level of populist movements: people feeling disenfranchised and, thus, causing an uproar. Now, I must add that I am neither condoning nor enoring either the Tea Party and/or/nor Occupy .

In order to stay relevant, last year the production crew of BBAJ added in a line referencing Christine O’Donnell’s “I’m Not A Witch” ad. (They had a Jackson fan wearing a cape with the President’s face embroidered, to which, in rhetorical questioning of her admiration of Jackson, she said “I’m Not A Witch.”)

I will say that I am a supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement. I do agree with the issues in which they stand. However, the reason I support them is because people oppose them.

I do know what I just said was uncouth and is not properly representative of the Brooklyn Young Democrats nor any related entity. However, this is my personal opinion.

Some of my closest friends, in full disclosure, are conservative Republicans. If you wish to hold that against me, that is your prerogative and I hold no animosity to you for it.

However, for two years, the Tea Party has been protesting against executive government spending, regulation (side-note: the EPA was founded by Nixon), and taxation (psst… taxes are at an all-time LOW). Now, the Tea Party has a progressive/liberal counterpart. However, the Tea Party wishes to distance themselves from the Occupiers because those people are being arrested.

I am not going to deny that they are being arrested, that is fact. However, if you look further, you will see that none of the crimes were violent. The worst ‘attack’ carried out was a pedestrian occupation of vehicular traffic of the eastbound crossing of the Brooklyn Bridge. To put it another way, as many people were injured at this event as the casualty count at the Boston Tea Party.

I am not saying that Occupy Wall Street (or fill-in-the-blank) is equable to the Tea Party. However, I should mention that none of the ‘occupiers’ threw a punch, they have only been arrested for actions of civil disobedience.

Any reasonable person will agree that blocking vehicular traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge is not harmful except to those cars who wish to cross. I do not agree by the method by which they made their point heard (in part, in full-disclosure, because I live right at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge), but no one was physically injured for just WALKING.

Personally, I find the Occupiers and the Tea Partiers to be two different sides of the same coin. Ruck.us co-founder (and former Democratic Governor’s Association Executive Director) Nathan Daschle tweeted interesting that #ows protestors don’t want to align with either party. #ruckus. To which, I responded “The other side of the Tea Party coin? RT @nathandaschle interesting that #ows protestors don’t want to align with either party.”

I don’t know which party with which either side is affiliated. However, I do know that the American people are fed up with Wall Street, Main Street, K Street, and Capitol Hill. It is a time for change at all levels.

I leave you with this:

Below, I have posted the audio of the opening remarks by NYSYD Downstate Vice President Ben Yee. I also have, below that, remarks by NYC Comptroller John Liu, community activist Majora Carter, and Assemblyman Matt Titone, all of whom were given awards for the work in exposing the CityTime scandal, cleaning up the South Bronx, and figting for marriage equality, respectively.

For more information please go to http://www.hopeforbrooklyn.com/

Jason Otaño

Position for which you wish to run

Northern Regional Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?

As a lifelong Brooklynite and a staunch supporter of the Democratic society, I am of the form belief that the future of the political landscape of Brooklyn can be very much shaped by an organization like this. I am seeking this position because I believe my skill set and network can be invaluable to this organization and that it is important that the leadership of an organization such as this should be diverse.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?

Aside from the Legal expertise that I bring to the organization, I will also bring my experience of serving on the board of several organizations including:

NYC Employees Retirement System – Trustee

Best of Brooklyn – Director – General Counsel

Brooklyn Community Information and Culture / BCAT – Director

Puerto Rican Bar Association – Director/Student Liaison

As a student:

Fordham International Law Journal – Business & Articles Editor

Fordham Student Bar Association – Section Rep

El Grito de Lares – President

Amnesty International – Co-Founder

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?

First and foremost,we must work toward creating a borough-wide organization. As I have discussed with members of the board already, I will incorporate the Brooklyn Young Dems so that we can formalize our bank accounts. Hand-in-hand with this borough-wide organization is a major fundraising campaign.

In addition to all of this – we should work toward voter registration in under-represented communities – in my area – that would predominantly be the Latino Community.

Jonathan Perez

Position for which you wish to run

Northern Regional Vice President

Why are you seeking this position?

At night when I go to bed, I ask myself the question, how have made the world a better place? I am an honest professional who has always cared about progressive grassroots initiatives to affect social change. I am certain that I will carry out our message in all our affairs. I have a unique mix of political, technical, and soon-to-be legal experience (CUNY Law 2014). I believe that by reaching out to Brooklyn, we can have an affect on legislation and develop wise, common sense solutions by giving a boost to the young Democrats who care about these issues and the candidates and elected officials that support them.

What previous and/or relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?

Political, Public Policy: I’ve had press, website and social media responsibilities, I’ve drafted policy debriefings for the council member. I’ve coordinated press and new media including advisories, releases, conferences, mailers, web, email campaigns. I think we should hold candidates who in their election runs and once elected to hold them accountable for their progressive principles. My involvement in Community Board 8 has included land use and education committees. Finally my responsibilities have also included constituent service, community meetings and event planning.

What is your vision for the Brooklyn Young Democrats in the coming year?

I think we should research organizational priorities and draft issue briefings, questionnaires, op-eds, and three to five policy papers on issues such as, for example, campaign finance, fiscal, legislative reform, living wage act, and redistricting.
-I think we should coordinate press and new media including advisories, releases, conferences, mailers, web, email campaigns, video production, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter on all our activity: I am very well connected to this world of social media and have worked with the Mayor’s office of Digital Affairs.
-I think we should hire, supervise and manage staff, volunteers and interns on-site and off-site for canvassing.

Our October meeting will be at
Huckleberry Bar (588 Grand St. Brooklyn, New York 11206 at 7:30pm. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=229165313803541.

 Occupy Wall Street has faced controversy these past few weeks. Last week, NYPD officers pepper-sprayed a crowd of protesters who marched from Zuccotti Park to Union Square Park. Reports state that the demonstrators had no permit to march to 14^th St. Officers cornered a group of female protesters with orange net and sprayed into the crowd. NYPD officials supported the use of pepper-spray stating its use was not intended for the female protestors but rather the male protestors nearby who were believed to have been pushing officers and causing confrontation putting the officers at risk. On October 1^st, over 700 protestors were arrested for attempting to cross the Brooklyn Bridge. The police ordered protestors to stay on the sidewalk and not block the streets. Those that ignored the warnings of the police were arrested.

 The area surrounding Wall Street and City Hall have been flooded with protestors for weeks, yet the demonstrations have received very little media coverage. Tea party protests have received far more media attention than Occupy Wall Street. Why is the media ignoring this cause? This tends to refute the conservative claims of a liberal bias in the media when a large protest with a liberal angle is being ignored by the so-called “liberal media”.  Most media outlets today are owned by large corporations, with many journalists themselves now living in the same top one percent that the Occupy Wall Street protestors oppose.

 Tensions are flaring between the one percent and the ninety-percent. Unemployment rates continue to rise affecting recent college graduates the hardest with bleak employment prospects.  The rich are getting richer while the middle class are getting poorer and those that are entry-level are stuck in the middle of the class battle.  With these current protests, The vast majority of the protestors are young people. History has shown that it is young people who have led the way to civil rights and social justice. Like our predecessors in the 1960s have shown us, civil disobedience and public outcry can change a nation. It is the job of young people to lead the movement in order to make an impact. The youths of the 21^st century, however, have to face a media that is no longer invested in true journalism which can greatly impact how their efforts in getting their message across in order to make change. After all, we are the ninety-nine percent.

To be eligible to run for the position, you must be between the ages of 16 and 36, if capable, registered to vote within any electoral district within the 50^th, 52^nd, 53^rd, 54^th, 55^th, 56^th, or 57^th Assembly Districts in Kings County, be a registered member of the Democratic Party and have paid your membership dues for the current year.

If you are interested in running for the position of Northern Regional Vice President PLEASE fill out the sign up form at http://www.brooklynyds.com/events/october-2011-special-election/. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011.

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 17, Assemblyman William Colton and his office will be running a community clean-up. Keeping our streets clean ensures that we will take pride in our community and do our best to keep our city prosperous for generations to come. If you are interested in attending, please meet up at 155 Kings Highway, cleaning up Avenue X, Avenue U, McDonald Avenue in Gravesend, Brooklyn. For more information, please visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112733835497714.

10 years ago this week, a tragedy hit our nation that we will never forget. With understanding that friendly rivalries can be used as a source of good the New York State Young Democrats and New Jersey Young Democrats have organized a charity softball game. The proceeds will go to the 9/11 Widows Foundation. In attendance will be Ken Zebrowski of Rockland County (NY), who plans to play shortstop, and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos of Hoboken (NJ). The game will be held on Sunday, September 18, at
Mamma Johnson’s Field in Hoboken, NJ with opening pitch at 3pm. For more information, please visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=243346212366460.

For those of you who do not want to travel out to New Jersey, there is an great event right in our backyard. On Sunday, from 10am-6pm, Borough President Marty Markowitz and the Brooklyn Literary Council will be hosting the 6^th Annual Brooklyn Book Festival at Borough Hall Plaza. With over 250 authors and 12 different stages, the Brooklyn Book Festival highlights the literary culture of Brooklyn and has grown to be the biggest book festival in the north-east. And as its PSA that you may have seen on television recently says, “It’s hip! It’s smart! It’s diverse! And it’s free!” Featured authors for this year’s festival include Pete Hamill, Eoin Colfer, Senator Joseph Liberman, former Brooklyn Congressman Major Owens, Joyce Carol Oates, Toure, Adam Mansbach, Wallace Shawn, and Colson Whitehead. Also, be sure to vote for your favorite author in the AT&T Brooklyn Book Festival Fan Fave contest; the top three authors, as voted upon, will get, respectively, $3,500, $2,500 and $1,500 toward the charity of their choice. Go to BrooklynBookFestival.org for more information.

Finally, for months now, the Brooklyn Young Democrats have been staunch advocates of redistricting reform. We have held rallies calling on Senators Jack Martins, Greg Ball, and Marty Golden to keep the promise they made when they signed the NY Uprising pledge. We have told our elected officials that we will hold them accountable for their actions. But now, it is time for us to tell them what the effect redistricting without an independent commission will have on our say in our democracy. On Tuesday, September 20, the NYS Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) will hold a public hearing regarding redistricting and they want your input on how the legislative district lines should be drawn. The LATFOR public hearing will be held from 8am to 6pm at Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street). For more information, please visit http://www.latfor.state.ny.us/hearings/20110912/.If you wish to testify before the task force, you must sign up beforehand by filling out and submitting the form found on that page.

We may have lost one battle this week, but the war to promote and protect our values and issues continues on and we won’t stop fighting.

If you have some free time before or after you cast your ballot, David Weprin needs your help in getting out the vote. There will be phone banking at 77 Conklin Avenue from 9 a.m. until 9 pm. They will also be meeting there to go canvassing starting at 10 am.

Of course, if you’re unable to make it out to headquarters, you can make some phone calls right from home on the DCCC quick and easy phone banking system that you can use from your own computer by going to http://www.dccc.org/page/contact/splash/ny09.

Stay tuned to the Brooklyn Young Democrats’ Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout the day.

Happy voting!

From Spider-Man:
Leave Spider-Man alone! You’re gonna pick on a guy trying to save a bunch of kids?
Yeah, I got something for your ass! You mess with Spidey, you mess with New York!
You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.

Unless we get David Weprin elected, every reform America has undergone for the past 70 years-from Social Security to Medicare to environmental protections- will be in jeopardy.

There will be phone banking and canvassing everyday until election day on Tuesday (excluding Sunday). If you are interested in helping protect the progressive reforms that we know and love, you will stop by the Weprin Brooklyn campaign office at 77 Conklin Avenue. Details on times for phone banking and canvassing are below:

Saturday 9/10

Phone Bank 10am, 1pm, 4pm

Canvass 1pm & 4pm

Sunday 9/11

No Shifts

Monday 9/12

Phone Bank 10am, 1pm, 5pm

Canvass 10am, 1pm, 5pm

Tuesday 9/13 – ELECTION DAY

Phone Bank 10am 1pm, 4pm, 6pm

Canvass 1pm, 4pm, 6pm

The 1pm canvass on Saturday is particularly exciting because it is being co-sponsored with our friends at the Queens County Young Democrats and College Democrats of New York

The easiest way to get to the Weprin Brooklyn campaign office is either the last stop on the L train in Canarsie or the B6, B17, B42 and B82 buses

We all know that you have busy lives and if you are unable to make it out to Weprin campaign headquarters, you can always make calls from home by going to http://www.dccc.org/page/contact/splash/ny09.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at BrooklynYDs@gmail.com.

If you live in a low-lying area, please evacuate as soon as possible. A MANDATORY evacuation has been made for Zone A areas (the Coney Island and Rockaways area).

Please stock-up on supplies and prepare a “go-bag.”

The MTA will have a system-wide shutdown starting tomorrow, Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 12 PM. Please do not lead to the last train or bus. Service may not be restored by the Monday morning commute.

Beaches are closed. The Staten Island Ferry may be suspended if winds reach 46mph.

Freshmen move-ins on Sunday for Fordham, St. John’s, Columbia, and New York Universities have been postponed. Mets and Yankee games are cancelled

Alternate side of the street parking is suspended until Tuesday. Please clear the streets for emergency personnel. If you live in a low-lying area, please move your car to higher ground. City bridges may be closed. If you use Access-A-Ride, please schedule a pickup ASAP.

Yellow and livery cabs have been moved into “zone-fare” plans on Saturday with reduced fares and group rides, Liveries are allowed to make street pick-ups.

Please check on your neighbors and the elderly. Please move anything that could become debris indoors.

If you do not know what flood zone you are in, you can check out this map created by WNYC.

Brooklyn Borough President has come out with a preparation guide.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management also has created a guide for what to do in an emergency.

If you need assistance, please go to http://www.nyc.gov. If the website is down (they have been experiencing a high amount of traffic and have been adding servers to deal with the problem), you can check Twitter at @NYCMayorsOffice. You can also call 311.

As Colin explained on his blog, there was a problem with recording the event which led to the camera being out of focus. However, the audio is the important part and it is crystal clear. The videos are below. Enjoy.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

When a roof is painted white, in the summer, 85% of heat from the sun is reflected, leaving your home cooler and saving up to 40% on your energy bills.

That is why we have signed on to Paint the Block.

Studies have shown that when we coat one building in a row of connected buildings there is a positive impact on the neighbors’ buildings too. When an entire block is coated it creates an urban oasis with lower ambient air temperatures compared to a block with conventional black roofs. In essence, coating an entire block magnifies the affect of white roofs

If you too want to attend, please arrive at 9:00am sharp on Sunday, August 21st. We will convene at 59 East 4th Street (at Bowery) on the 4th floor. If you are late, we may start without you. Please allow appropriate time to arrive. A map indicating the closest subway stops is HERE. A pizza lunch, water, fruit and light snacks will be provided. Bring a refillable water bottle if you have one. You should wear sneakers and sunscreen and bring sunglasses and/or a hat. White roofs are extremely bright in the sun! We don’t want your eyes to hurt.

In the event of predicted rain, you will receive an email from me tomorrow, Saturday, August 20th at 5:00pm. If rain happens, you will be first on the list for a volunteer slot for the makeup weekend. Thank you so much for signing up to volunteer with us. We cannot wait to join you in cooling our City and lowering energy costs for needy residents. This is an exciting, tangible and fun project. Get ready for a Sunday well spent!

If you have any questions, you should email Heather James at women@gomyd.com.

Well, Weprin came out with what I find to be an ad that is a little more relevant to the issues this nation is currently facing – Social Security:

Religious tolerance (or lack thereof) versus the well-being of millions of elderly Americans: which do you think is more important to the voters?

For more information, please go to the Facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125016167591587 or contact CDNY Secretary Andy Laub.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg ensured that all city clerk offices be open yesterday so any couples wishing to get a marriage license on the first day of same-sex marriage in the State. For couples wishing to get married the same day as they got their marriage licenses, would have need the 24-hour waiting period waived by a judge.

In a statement, Borough President Markowitz said “Besides being elected borough president, marrying my wife Jamie nearly 12 years ago was the best moment of my life. I wish these couples as much happiness as my wife and I have been blessed to share. This is a historic day in New York, and seeing these newlyweds—their smiles, that twinkle in their eye—that says it all.”

Markowitz made sure that judges, rabbis, and ministers were on hand to preside over the ceremonies. The beep even went so far to offer free wedding cake, champagne, and professional photographs for all of the newlyweds.

Video coverage of yesterday’s events are below.

Two nights ago, I posted a story arguing why people from outside the Ground Zero area (let alone Alaska, Washington, Albany, or even Westchester County) should not involve themselves in the debate regarding the “Ground Zero Mosque.” Now, I will discuss the politics around the issue.

Last week, the National Republican Trust PAC produced an ad that denounced the mosque’s construction. CBS and NBC refused to air it.

Later in the week, Sarah Palin endorsed New York Assistant Attorney General Ann Marie Buerkle who is running against freshman Democratic Congressman Dan Maffei for Congress in NY’s 25th Congressional District which consists of the Syracuse area. Buerkle is a Tea Party favorite already. It has been hinted that Palin, then to up the ante of her endorsement, then decided to discuss what she felt to be a local issue. On Sunday, she tweeted “Ground Zero Mosque supporters: doesn’t it stab you in the heart, as it does ours throughout the heartland? Peaceful Muslims, pls refudiate.” However, as many people pointed out, “refuidate” is not a word in the English language. Palin later deleted that post and replaced it with “Peace-seeking Muslims, pls understand Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in the interest of healing.” I can’t speak for anyone else, but I don’t find anything provoking about the Islamic center (nor can I figure out whom it is provoking since “provoke” means to provide a stimulus for a response typically of a confrontational manner). As for healing, I, for one was never hurt. Maybe it is the New York spirit in me, but what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. Was 9/11 a tragedy? Yes. But terrorism aims to invoke terror, if we need time to heal, the terrorists have won.

Later, the former governor humorously tweeted “‘Refudiate’, ‘misunderestimate,’ ‘wee-wee’d up.’” English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!”

To go off on a small tangent, to be honest, Sarah Palin is no William Shakespeare. Though, I am not an expert in English linguistics, I doubt that there are a dozen writers alive today that match his skill. The brilliance of Shakespeare are the number of ententes he could make in a single sentence, how prop-use and stage direction could be determined from the text, and how his texts were written in such a way that (with a few obvious exceptions like Julius Caesar) the story lines could be used in any time period. The words that Shakespeare invented were used for these causes. It should also be noted that the words were being coined during the early development stages of the Modern English Language; so, of course, the ability to add words would be much simpler. An interesting factoid that I leaned from my English teacher in my senior year in high school is that there are roughly 100,000 words in the English language; the average college graduate knows 10,000; William Shakespeare coined 1,000 words. 1% of the English language versus the “word” “refudiate,” and Sarah Palin thinks she has earned the right to compare herself to Shakespeare? Whatever.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has endorsed the proposed Islamic Center, which, I did not learn until this morning is more of a YMCA (complete with community rooms, meeting rooms, a gym, ad a pool). The center’s only “mosque” element is a Muslim prayer room.

Following the tweets by Sarah Palin, Bloomberg staffer Andrea Batista Schlesigner took to Twitter herself saying “@SarahPalinUSA whose hearts? Racist hearts?” And, later “@SarahPalinUSA mind your own business.” The tweets were later deleted. However, Schlesinger explained herself “Deleted post bc I regretted curt response. But the fact is, I believe this city belongs to everyone – and no one more than another.”

Her next tweet said “Unlike @SarahPalinUSA, I was born here and grew up here. Was showing off to a visitor today – look how beautiful and diverse my city is.” That tweet personally speaks to how I feel about New York City as well. Once, I had to take an out-of-towner around the city. On an A train, there was a cross-gendered man, I thought nothing of it. My guest, however asked me “Is that a tranny?” I matter-of-factly replied in the affirmative. My guest, however, remained uneasy for the rest of the train ride.

Schlesinger’s final response to the former governor read “I felt the pain of 9/11, the trauma. I got through it by believing in my city. Not through fear and hate.” That is the New York spirit. I see crazy people on the subway singing randomly “Adam at a party, Adam at a party, Adam at a party, Adam at a cel-e-brat-ion” (as was the case with my commute yesterday morning) and I think to myself “I love New York.” We realize that there are much bigger things with which to concern ourselves than petty disagreements, divisions, and judgments.

Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser told Politico’s Maggie Haberman, in response to Schlesinger’s tweets “Andrea was only speaking for herself, she has the right to her own opinions.” Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg said “In terms of her [Schlesinger] comments about Sarah Palin, I don’t agree at all. I don’t think Sarah Palin is remotely racist.” Then, the mayor came to Schlesinger’s defense saying that as to Palin’s comments about the Islamic Center, he “couldn’t disagree more.”

Republican NY gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio lately has been attacking his Democratic New York opponent Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for not investigating the funding of the Islamic Center. Cuomo has claimed that he would not investigate based on mere here-say out of respect for freedom of religion. However, Cuomo spokesman Rich Bamberger said “Anyone who has evidence of wrongdoing [as per the funding sources] should send it to us [the Attorney General's Office] and we will review it.” Still Lazio is calling the center Cuomo’s “trophy mosque”

Interestingly, NY1 did an interview with the Islamic Center’s developer, Sharif El-Gamal, and he said that the reason for building the center was, in fact, to spite the terrorists that attacked while highlighting New York’s diversity and community. “What happened that day affected me personally, affected my city. I was one of the first people that was down there at 9/11 and for 48 hours I was there helping my heroes, helping the firefighters, the policemen and I was giving water to everyone. What happened that day was a personal attack on me as a New Yorker. Something that I will never forget, never forgive those terrorists for what they did. And those terrorists did not act in the name of Islam. [my emphasis added]” The reason for the Islamic Center, from what I can read from that quote, is to denounce radical Islam and how Islam is a mainstream religion that does not wish to do harm against others. What place better than New York City, two blocks from the World Trade Center, to give the middle-finger to the terrorists by personifying in a building what we believe in as a nation, a city, and a society?

I reiterate, if just because it will irk the terrorists to end because us Americans live in a pluralistic and diverse society and the Islamic Center will be proof-positive of that, I support the project.

There is a ballot referendum on August 1st about if Nassau County should spend $31 million in taxpayer funds to build a new Nassau Coliseum. To get paid up to $180, all you have to do is serve as a poll watcher for one day of work (5:30 AM to 9:30 PM) at one of several locations around Nassau County.

If you are interested, please contact Lauren Corcoran-Doolin at 516-571-2893 or email LCorcoran@nassaucountyny.gov.

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 26th, Governor Andrew Cuomo will be marching in the the 41st Annual New York City Gay Pride Parade and would like you to join him. New York City’s annual Gay Pride Parade began in 1970 as a commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The parade has since grown to become the oldest and one of the world’s largest LGBT events. For more information on the parade, visit: http://www.nycpride.org/. More details are below.

Meeting Time: 11AM
Location: 35th Street, between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue (please enter on Madison Avenues and walk east to on 5th Avenue, which will be closed off)
Dress: Neat, casual, warm weather clothes (polo shirt, khaki pants/shorts etc…)
Please RSVP to Ryan Naples

By a 33 to 29, margin, the Republican controlled State Senate passed the Marriage Equality Act with Republican Senators James Alesi, Mark Grisanti, Roy McDonald, and Stephen Saland standing up for equal rights for all, regardless of who they love. The events of last night are proof that our leaders can come together and fight for the needs of the people of the State of New York. At the 2009 College Democrats of New York Convention, during a panel discussion with State Senators Eric Adams, Liz Krueger, and Diane Savino (famous for this video), I asked the panel if they believed that any of their colleagues on the Republican side would vote for marriage equality. They told me that they believed that there were some that wanted to vote for the measure, but, as Diane Savino said, they were “afraid” to come out for the rights of gays and lesbians. Last night was testimony to the courage of voting for what is right and it made true what those senators told me over 2 years ago.

However, we must realize that one state senator from Brooklyn does not believe in basic civil rights based on sexual orientation. That senator, of course, is Marty Golden. Senator Golden went so far last night to tweet “I do not feel that the religious protections in this bill were adequate.” The Marriage Equality Act, however, ensures that no religious institution is required to perform any same-sex marriages. Furthermore, the bill protects any religious organizations that does not condone same-sex marriage from threat of lawsuit for not providing their services for such marriages.

Brooklyn Senator Carl Kruger himself even admitted that he was wrong for voting against marriage equality last time around. If we can change the mind of just one of our senators, imagine how many minds we can change with the people of Brooklyn.

In case you did not catch the floor debate, as the videos come online, I will add them so you all can see democracy in action.

Stephen Salandsession remarks on Senate Bill 5857

Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo) Speaking on the Marriage Equality Act

In case you want a laugh, here is Sen. Ruben Diaz having a temper tantrum

Here are the event details:
Who: President Barack Obama
What: Evening on Broadway with Sister Act the Musical, Special Host Whoopi Goldberg
When: June 23, 2011 at 5:00 PM
Where: The Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street I New York, NY)
What do you have to do?: Just write a comment on this post explaining why we still need change to enter the drawing!

A majority of New Yorkers believe that the time has come for full marriage equality. However, Senator Golden has proposed a bill to prevent out-of-state same-sex marriages from being recognized in the State of New York.

New Yorkers want non-partisan redistricting. Senator Golden wants to keep his seat safe and gerrymandered.

Despite having over 38,000 rent-controlled apartments in his district, Senator Golden has been silent on reforming the system, let alone extending the current laws which are set to expire in just over a week from now!

Come join us and other progressive organizations from across the area at Senator Golden’s District Office (7408 5th Avenue in Brooklyn) on Saturday June 11th at 12:30 to remind Marty Golden that he reports to us!

For more information, please go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126554904093932

Tomorrow evening, the NYSYD High School Caucus is having a comedy show fundraiser that BYD is co-sponsoring. All proceeds will empower them to help organize young people around a common desire for progress in our state and across the country, and the belief that no one is too young to make a difference. Tickets are just $15 for Young Democrats. You can register at https://secure.actblue.com/page/nysyd_hc_comedy. For more details, please go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152317988167532.

On Thursday, we will be having a small get together at Apartment 138 (138 Smith Street, Brooklyn) at 7:30. For more details, please check out the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=166030770126854.

This Friday, May 27, at 10 AM, at Columbus Park-Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, a tree will be planted in memory of our late Northern Regional Vice President, Hope Reichbach. This event is being sponsored by the Offices of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Councilman Stephen Levin.

On Thursday, June 2nd, at 7 PM, the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club (77 Conklin Avenue, Canarsie) will be having a ‘Law Night.’ Attendees will include Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association Joe Drayton, Kings County Civil Court Judge Betty Williams, Kings County Law Chairman Frank Carone, and TJ Club Law Chairwoman Lara Genovesi. We encourage all of you to attend.

If you are interested in being a delegate at the YDA National Convention (July 28, 2011 – July 31, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky), please fill out the sign-up form located at http://www.nysyd.org/blog/register-for-the-yda-convention-in-louisville-july-28-2011-july-31-2011-53/ before June 3rd.

Make sure to mark your calendars for June 11th. We are in the process of organizing a Rally for Redistricting Reform, this time focusing on Brooklyn’s own Senator Marty Golden, with our friends from the other Downstate Young Democrats chapters. More information to follow.

Finally, tomorrow is the special election to fill the vacancy in New York’s 26th Congressional District. If you have a few free minutes in the next day, please go to http://www.dccc.org/page/contact/splash/ny26 in order to make calls for Kathy Hochul.

Last Saturday, the Brooklyn Young Democrats joined the New Roosevelt Initiative and over a dozen other groups that included the Dutchess County Young Democrats, Westchester Young Democrats, Queens County Young Democrats, Manhattan Young Democrats, New York State Young Democrats, New York State Young Democrats Caucus of Color, College Democrats of New York, New York Civic, Act Now, New York Democratic Lawyers Council, New York Democratic Law Students Council, Peekskil Democratic City Committee, and Tribeca for Change to send Senator Greg Ball a message: keep your word.

While running in the 40th State Senatorial District, Senator Ball signed Mayor Ed Koch’s NY Uprising Plan, which included redistricting reform. In fact, the sign I was holding was a copy of his signed pledge. Senator Ball, yesterday, said in a statement on his blog "I think they are either misinformed or lost, because I have supported and passed constitutional, fair, non partisan redistricting in the Senate and I would further support truly independent redistricting based upon geography and demographics." However, what he fails to point out is that the plan that he signed on to does not go into effect until 2022! Mayor Koch himself has said that the Senate Republicans’ plans are contrary to his intent. In other words, he (and we) want redistricting reform NOW!

Us rallying for Senator Ball to keep his promise

Us rallying for Redistricting Reform

Me speaking

Ted Anastasiou, Democratic Law Students Council President (and a Brooklyn Young Democrat) speaking.

Us holding copies of Senator Greg Ball’s pledge

Following the rally, during lunch, yours truly was "tiger pinned" by Bill Samuels, founder of the New Roosevelt Initiative. In other words, I am officially a hero of reform. (Bill wanted me to kneel since he find pinning someone to be like a knighting ceremony. I complied.)

Photos from the rally can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.199931866716185.48239.120449921331047 (photos used here are copied from there (Photos Courtesy Jackie Topol at JackieTopol.com))

News about the rally:

• A Dozen Local and Statewide Activist Groups Rally to Demand Putnam State Senator Greg Ball Pass Independent Redistricting
  (Press Release)
• Activists Call on Ball to Honor Redistricting Pledge – Chappaqua-Mount Kisco, NY Patch
• Ball not fulfilling redistricting pledge, groups say | Politics on the Hudson
• Groups to protest Ball’s stance on redistricting | Politics on the Hudson
• Groups to rally Saturday against Ball | Politics on the Hudson
• Redistricting talks at a standstill as end of session nears | Press & Sun-Bulletin

If you are interested in attending, please come to Madison Square Garden (West 33^rd Street, between 7^th and 8^th Avenues) at 10 am on Saturday. For more information please check out the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121601574586088.

Hope, 22, served as the Northern Regional Vice President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats.

A memorial service is scheduled for noon on Sunday, May 1 at Congregation Mt. Sinai (250 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn). We encourage everyone to attend.

The thoughts and prayers of the Brooklyn Young Democrats are with Hope, her family, and her friends.

And don’t miss the Downstate Young Democrats Young Workers After Party at 4pm at the Reade Street Pub and Kitchen. We’ll throw back a pitcher and continue to rally for workers rights only a few short blocks away from Foley Square. For more information, please contact Ben Yee, NYSYD Downstate Region Vice President at ben@nysyd.net or check out the Facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=182309268483869.

The letter is automatically generated, all you do is enter your contact information. With just a few clicks and two minutes of your time, you will get the chance to meet President Obama! Can it be any easier?

The details of the event are as follows:

Kick-off Reception with President Obama with a special performance by The Roots
The Town Hall
123 West 43rd Street at Avenue of the Americas New York, NY
Wednesday, April 27th at 7:30PM

"The American fascists are most easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and fact. Their newspapers and propaganda carefully cultivate every fissure of disunity, every crack in the common front against fascism. They use every opportunity to impugn democracy. They use isolationism as a slogan to conceal their own selfish imperialism. They cultivate hate and distrust of both Britain and Russia. They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise, but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection."

If you want to jump on this offer, please register at https://secure.actblue.com/page/nysyd-tree

But just remember, this price is available for this weekend only, so act now. For more information, please go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183607668349945

The Tea Party often pays lip service to the benefits of giving back power to local communities. But what happens when a community uses that power to do something the Tea Party doesn’t like?

Thanks to Senator Greg Ball, we now have an answer: they go nuts.

Instead of using his office to deal with the many grave issues facing New York State, Greg Ball has attacked his own constituents in the town of Phillipstown to demonstrate his fealty to the gun lobby and his tea party base. Ball began his latest crusade after the town board modestly proposed banning concealed guns from town buildings. The ban was proposed in response to an incident that took place less than a week after the Arizona shooting at a January town forum in Phillipstown where a man criticized the Town Board and added that he was “packing.”

Ball, in true Tea Party fashion joined with the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association (NYSRPA), an affiliate of the National Rifle Association (NRA), to intervene in a local matter and intimidate his constituents with a rally outside Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. tonight. To make this spectacle all the more outrageous, Ball and his fellow travelers have chosen to rally for the “right” of gun-toting fanatics to deter public participation and bully their fellow citizens the same week that the state capitol was inundated with e-mails threatening to “pull a Gabby Giffords.”

The planned Astroturf Ball/Tea Party/NRA rally has been promoted aggressively to attract ideologues from around the state, many outside of Ball’s district (the Orange-Sullivan Tea Party is openly recruiting for the rally, as well as the responsible citizens at AR15.Com/AK47.Net) and outside of Phillipstown in an attempt to pressure the board. Greg Ball, for his part, sent out the predictably inflammatory mailer above.

Carl Paladino was widely ridiculed for threatening to clean up Albany with a baseball bat. Greg Ball, apparently, has decided that the thuggery of Paladino was too tame and has opted for weapons of a higher caliber.

Ben Yee is the NYSYD Downstate Region Vice President

A Dozen Local And Statewide Activist Groups Rally to Demand Nassau State Senator Jack Martins Pass Independent Redistricting

A coalition of local and statewide reform activists protest at Nassau Republican State Senator Jack Martin’s district office to pressure the newly elected Senator to live up to signing Ed Koch’s NY Uprising pledge and pass independent redistricting; Koch applauds rally

New York, NY – Democratic activist and New Roosevelt Initiative founder Bill Samuels and a coalition of progressive groups and young activists rallied Saturday afternoon at the district office of newly elected Nassau Republican State Senator Jack Martins demanding that he keep his word to pass Independent Redistricting in the state legislature.

Last summer, Senator Martins signed Mayor Ed Koch’s NY Uprising pledge promising to pass Independent Redistricting if elected. Instead, when presented with the opportunity to pass an Independent Redistricting bill put forth by Governor Cuomo, Senator Martins decided to side with the Republican Senate majority, who are currently unwilling to put the bill to a vote. The move is more disappointing than the failure by Democrats, who last year held a majority in both the Assembly and Senate to take up the redistricting issue since he has promised to pass such legislation.

Nearly a dozen local Long Island and statewide progressive and young activists groups joined the protest including– Nassau County Young Democrats, Nassau Women’s Democratic Caucus, New York Democratic Lawyers Council, New York State Young Democrats, New York Democratic Law Students Council, New York State Young Democrats Caucus of Color, College Democrats of New York, New York Civic, Act Now, Manhattan Young Democrats, Queens County Young Democrats, Brooklyn Young Democrats and New Kings Democrats.

“I applaud all the young activists that have shown an interest and taken on the vital issue of independent redistricting,” said former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, founder of New York Uprising. “Today’s event is about holding politicians accountable to the pledges they took and making sure they know we’re still paying attention.  The people of the state of New York expect their legislators to be honorable, and to keep their word.  For anyone who signed the Uprising pledge, that means enacting meaningful redistricting reform that will impact the elections next year.”

Samuels, founder of the New Roosevelt Initiative, an organization dedicated to reforming Albany and creating the country’s best state legislature, said he was upset that Martins was siding with the status quo on such a critical to both the voters of New York and to the future governance of the state.

“Martins signing of the Koch pledge was a promise to Nassau voters that he would pass Independent Redistricting reform regardless of which party was in the Majority. Instead with the Republicans retaking control of the Senate, he is proving that he would rather be just another status quo Albany politician. Independent Redistricting reform must be passed this session in order to have an impact in 2012,” Samuels said.

“While I initially advocated for a Constitutional Amendment last session, passing one in this session means no meaningful impact until 2022,” continued Samuels.

“Until a couple of Republicans stand up for what is right and vote for the Independent Districting bill put forth by Governor Cuomo, they are proving that like the Democrats did when they were in charge of the Assembly and Senate, they are only interested in political self-preservation. I would like to see Senator Martins prove everyone wrong,” continued Samuels.

In Nassau County, African American communities, like those in the Hempstead area are currently split between 4 out of the 5 white male Republican Senators from Nassau: Dean Skelos in District 9, Charles Fuschillo in District 8, Jack Martins in District 7, Kemp Hannon in District 6.

At the protest, representatives from a dozen Nassau, New York City and statewide progressive activist groups urged Martins to reconsider his stance and pass the redistricting bill. Each outlined what was at stake.

Jay S. Jacobs, New York State and Nassau County Democratic Chairman said, “I believe voters are tired of politicians who tell them one thing before Election Day and then give them excuses instead of delivering when in office. Jack Martins is the poster child for promises made but not kept.”

Dolores Sedacca, President of the Nassau Women’s Democratic Caucus, said, “The entire Nassau County State Senate Caucus in composed of white, male, republicans despite the fact that the voters of the county are more than 50% female, there are more registered Democrats than Republicans and over 30% of our voters are not white. Gerrymandering has deprived the women, persons of color and Democrats of Nassau County of representation in the New York State Senate.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 estimates, Nassau County is 51.2% female and 31.9% non-White with the New York State Board of Elections showing that there are more Democrats than Republicans registered to vote at 38% to 36% as of November 2010.

Kyle Strober, Vice President of Nassau County Young Democrats and Hempstead resident said, “A person’s word, especially from an elected official, should stand for something.  It’s apparent that Mr. Martins’ does not. Numerous residents voted for Mr. Martins because of his stance on redistricting. Unfortunately, Nassau County residents have grown accustom to politicians promising the world while campaigning then doing the opposite once elected.  Nassau County government as one such example. Long Island’s future generation needs leaders who keep promises and do what they believe in, not what they are told to do. That is why we are standing here today, to ensure that we hold our elected officials accountable for the promises they make.”

Kevin Lawrie, New York State Young Democrats President and Niagara Falls Resident said, “The district lines that get drawn not only affect those that have drawn them but often those who hold office after them.  Fair redistricting is not about partisan politics.  It is about giving the future generations of elected officials a chance to govern fairly and give voters the chance to select their representatives, not the other way around.  I live in a Senate District that is only “contiguous” at low-tide and my district is just as bad as many other around the entire state.  With districts drawn to favor the elected officials and not the people, how can young activists ever hope to influence positive change when incumbents use partisan gerrymandering to silence our voices?  Independent redistricting must become a reality now and we will continue to hold Senator Martins and all his other flip-flopping colleagues accountable for misrepresenting themselves to their districts.”

Nick Roloson, President of College Democrats of New York, said, “College Students are a frequent victim of unfair redistricting. Campus communities, dormitory residences, and off-campus housing are frequently split up with the intention of disenfranchising student voters. We need to work together to ensure fair and equitable redistricting across New York State to give all student voices the opportunity to be heard in government. The College Democrats of New York will not rest until an independent redistricting proposal is brought to an immediate vote in the Legislature. It is time to make this long-time dream a reality.”

Robert Donovan, Co-Chair of the New York Democratic Lawyers Council said, “Redistricting reform is now more critical than ever. The census numbers are in and redistricting must move forward. We must get real reform now before the gerrymandering games go on.”

Ted Anastasiou, Chair of the New York Democratic Law Students Council said, “One of the first lessons that a law student learns is that voting, once afforded to the electorate, is a fundamental right protected under the Constitution. It does not take a constitutional law expert to see that when politicians choose their own voters instead of the reverse, it results in less competitive elections that effectively compromises this vital right as well as grossly undermines the very principles of democracy our nation was founded upon.”

Heather Roberson, Board Member of Act Now, said, “For those of us at ACT NOW who have been chipping away at Albany dysfunction for years, one politician at a time, non-partisan redistricting is going to be a real game-changer.”

Lincoln Restler, State Committeeman and District Leader for the 50^th Assembly District and New Kings Democrats Board Member said, “Jack Martins promised to end the backroom gerrymandering process once and for all, but he cares more about his own political future than the people of Nassau County. Keep your word, Jack, and pass the pledge!”

Amanda Pizzuti, President of the Brooklyn Young Democrats said “The census data released this week said that Brooklyn’s population has only grown by less than 40,000 in the past decade. Yet over 70,000 new homes have been built in Kings County. Downstate New York is expected to lose two congressional seats which translates to less representation for more people. Redistricting is not just about diluting a person’s vote, it is more importantly about having a say in our democracy.”

Costa Constantinides, District Leader for the 36^th Assembly District and President of Queens County Young Democrats said, “This is about honesty, integrity and living up to the promises you make.  When an elected official outright lies to their constituents, it hurts our system of government.  Shame on you Jack Martins. This isn’t partisanship, it’s what is right.”

From Act Now:

Who Draws the Lines? We Draw the Lines!

We just returned from a fantastic rally in Nassau for non-partisan redistricting. With ralliers from ACT NOW, New Roosevelt Initiative, New Kings Democrats, NYS Young Democrats Caucus of Color, and many other groups, the event underscored that fair elections are not just a “wonky” issue. This is a question of democracy.

If you want to learn more about non-partisan redistricting, Heather’s fantastic Q&A is the place to start.

Jack Martins’ so-called pledge

The people of Nassau County aren’t going to forget the dishonesty of Republican State Senator Jack Martins. Martins committed to support non-partisan redistricting in his 2010 campaign. (You can even see his pledge right here. Yes, that’s his signature.) Now we’re seeing his true colors, as he — along with the entire Republican caucus — breaks his promise.

Claiming to be a reformer, Martins defeated the Democratic incumbent in 2010 by just 320 votes. We hope that he knows how vulnerable he will be in the 2012 elections, when Democratic turnout for the presidential year will be higher. If Martins betrays the people of Nassau County by continuing to support Republican election-rigging, we’re going to make sure that his constituents know it.

Many thanks to Bill Samuels, Ben Kallos, and the NRI, who covered the cost of transportation and of the delicious local pizza afterward!

We’ll have more to share on upcoming events in the next few days. In the meantime, here are some photos from the great event.

Jessica at a photo shoot…we mean the Redistricting Rally

Frieda looks awfully hip

Carolyn, the happy fighter

Pizza is cut into equal slices — why not election districts?

Fair election districts? Even I get that.

Bill Samuels recognizes Heather as a Democratic Tiger — grrr!

From State of Politics Blog:

New Roosevelt Dems & Co. Brand Martins A Liar

New Roosevelt Initiative founder Bill Samuels made good on his pledge to target GOP senators (well, one anyway) in their home districts in hopes of pressuring them into submission on the issue of redistricting reform.

Samuels and a host of reform-minded Democrats traveled by bus out to the Nassau County district of freshman Sen. Jack Martins to protest outside his district office and highlight his renegging on the NY Uprising reform pledge promise that called for creation of an independent redistricting commission in time for the 2012 elections.

(Recall that the Senate GOP passed a constitutional amendment bill that would change the way lines are drawn in the long term, but only if two independently elected Legislatures vote “yes” on that measure and it then passes in a public referendum. All that cannot possibly happen by 2012).

Among the speakers at the protest was Brooklyn District Leader Lincoln Restler, of the New Kings Democrats, who started out with a joke.

“We from Brooklyn, we know a little something about corrupt leadership,” Restler said. “We thought Jack Martins was going to be different.”

“He signed a pledge. He made a promise to you and to me and the people in Nassau County that things were going to be different. That he was going to support a fair redistricting process, an independent redistricting process. But in just three months he has demonstrated loud and clear that this is a man who cannot keep his word.”

Martins told Long Island Business News: “I fully and unequivocally support redistricting reform and voted in favor of the most recent constitutional amendment that was passed by the Senate…Unfortunately, there are still those who would have the very process of reform turned on its head to become a bitter, partisan one.”

Mineola Patch:

Redistricting Group Protests at Sen. Martins’ Office

A group of about 30 protesters staged a small rally outside of the office of New York State Senator Jack Martins, R-Mineola, Saturday over the boundaries of state election districts.

The group, primarily made up of picketers from outside the 7th Senatorial District including Brooklyn and Queens and various state-wide Democratically-affiliated organizations such as the Nassau County Democratic Committee and Brooklyn Young Democrats, arrived via a chartered bus to stage the noon time demonstration against Martins, whom protesters say has not fulfilled a promise when he signed a pledge to pass independent redistricting.

“Signing a pledge means something,” Dolores Sedacca, President of the Nassau Women’s Democratic Caucus and former mayor of East Williston said.

Martins as well as his opponent in the 2010 election, former Sen. Craig Johnson, had signed onto former New York City Mayor Ed Koch’s NY Uprising pledge to pass independent redistricting, which would place the task of redrawing district boundaries into the hands of an independent redistricting commission. Koch also endorsed Johnson, who ended up losing to Martins in the recent election.

Bill Samuels, founder of the New Roosevelt Initiative, said that Martins was specifically targeted because of his freshman status as senator.

“We were very hopeful that a new state senator wouldn’t be like the Democrats that have been there for years or the old Republicans,” he said.

This year the New York State Senate passed a constitutional amendment for and independent redistricting plan which would create an independent, non-partisan commission as called for in Koch’s plan.

The commission, consisting of five members, none of which may have held or are current public officials or involved with a political party, would redraw legislative and congressional district every 10 years in conjunction with the results of the U.S. Census. The New York state constitution charges the Legislature with the responsibility of redistricting, necessitating a constitutional amendment to change the practice.

Strangely, Samuels seemed to agree and be an advocate for the council, saying “what we don’t want is the politicians in both parties drawing their own lines. We want an independent council that puts people on that are real experts but are neutral, that really think out how to draw the lines.”

According to the bill, the size of the districts would also be relatively equal, within a 5 percent deviation of one another, reportedly down from the current 10 percent, a sticking point for Samuels who pointed to minority communities in Nassau as having been split amongst the five senate districts in the county.

“It’s just fundamentally wrong,” he said as the practice in his view places more power in rural areas than in cities as opposed to Federal guidelines which mandate districts must be about the same size.

In a statement, Martins said that he “fully and unequivocally” supports redistricting reform, voting in favor of the constitutional amendment passed by the Senate. “It’s a fair and solid piece of legislation that creates an independent, non-partisan panel that provides both parties the opportunity for input on how district lines would be determined,” he said. “Unfortunately, there are still those who would have the very process of a reform turned on its head to become a bitter, partisan one.”

Samuels called the bill a “meaningless gesture,” because it would only take effect in 2022. “It ensures Martins and (Sen. Majority Leader Dean) Skelos a gerrymandered state senate, a gerrymandered Nassau for 10 more years,” he said. “We’re concerned about 2012, 2014, 2016. The Democrats when they were in power absolutely did the same thing Republicans are doing now, both parties are guilty.”

Citing the need for a constitutional convention, Sedacca said that “everybody knows that that’s really a waste of time,” referring to the bill. “It’s a way of stalling, saying its not constitutional.”

Only two members of the protest present were known to be from Martins’ district: Noah Sheloff of Franklin Square, and Mineola resident Jean Falabella.

“I’m in the same district as a friend of mine who lives in Roslyn,” Sheloff said, believing district lines should be more “neatly drawn.” Franklin Square is divided among three senate districts with Skelos and Kemp Hannon, R-Garden City, representing the other two sections. “If you look at the actual lines of certain districts, they’re pretty ridiculous,” Sheloff said. “I think to have one state senator would be appropriate.”

Falabella said of Martins: “He signed the pledge and then he voted for something different.”

Samuels said that the group’s next stop would be upstate and that he was “focused on the new state senators.”