Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Governor Dukakabee
Despite his obvious Michael Dukakis problem Governor Huckabee is still gaining in the polls, which tomorrow's WaPo front page will report.
The Truman Show Is Not A Good Idea
Jay Jochnowitz, State Editor of the Times Union, has posted a link to a site that "maps out the whereabouts of eight members of Congress who posted their schedules on the Web, including Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport."
Today must be Congressional public-relations-disasters-waiting-to-happen day. It is unwise - to put it mildly - for Members of Congress to make every event and meeting public. Certain events and meetings require discretion. The first time one is not on Congresswoman Gillibrand's schedule the media is going to scream about a "cover up." And what is she hiding any way?
As the newest goo-goo on the block, Congresswoman Gillibrand is supposed to be transparent, and some of those other goo-goo descriptions used byNew York State Democratic Committee Common Cause, Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee NYPIRG and the New York State Senate Democratic Campaign Committee League of Women Voters.
If only 8 of 535 Members of Congress have signed up for this sunshine and rainbows project, it should be a signal that it's an invitation to problems. Constituents and the media won't care about a Member's meeting with the rotarian of the year. They will, however, care if a Member promises openness and a meeting with a large company that has business before Congress is left off the schedule. A company such as General Electric, for starters.
Today must be Congressional public-relations-disasters-waiting-to-happen day. It is unwise - to put it mildly - for Members of Congress to make every event and meeting public. Certain events and meetings require discretion. The first time one is not on Congresswoman Gillibrand's schedule the media is going to scream about a "cover up." And what is she hiding any way?
As the newest goo-goo on the block, Congresswoman Gillibrand is supposed to be transparent, and some of those other goo-goo descriptions used by
If only 8 of 535 Members of Congress have signed up for this sunshine and rainbows project, it should be a signal that it's an invitation to problems. Constituents and the media won't care about a Member's meeting with the rotarian of the year. They will, however, care if a Member promises openness and a meeting with a large company that has business before Congress is left off the schedule. A company such as General Electric, for starters.
Legislator Judith Kaye: Show Me The Money
Dear Judge Kaye,
This morning I read that you announced your intent to file a lawsuit next month if the state legislature doesn't approve a pay raise for New York's judges.
You told the Associated Press:
"I so don't want to do that . . . I've been a lawyer for 45 years, and I know the pluses and minuses of litigation. To me it is a last resort, but I've come just about to the end of my patience . . . If they don't do it now, they'll come back in an election year, and nobody wants to talk about raises in an election year . . . I am ashamed to face colleagues in other states."
Of course, you must know that pay raises should be based on performance. By that standard, I hope you will agree that New York's judges can't simply invent new law when they personally disagree with current law.
Has your Court of Appeals consistently invalidated New York's capital punishment law that my former boss signed in 1995? I was at the news conference in the Blue Room that March day, Judith. Along with my four press office colleagues, we answered call after call from the media. There was one recurring question. It was: Given the liberal and activist reputation of New York's courts, do you believe the law will withstand state judicial scrutiny?
Well, we know what happened, don't we? You, and your colleagues, decided to become legislators. And your Court of Appeals began throwing out death sentences, including the one imposed on serial killer Robert Shulman. Do you remember what Shulman did, Judith? He murdered and dismembered three women on Long Island. I'll spare you the grisly details.
In 1984, you wrote the opinion striking down the state's last capital punishment law. Governor Pataki and his attorneys were well aware of your opinion when they started the laborious task of writing a new bill in January, 1995. It was written to conform to your opinion.
Yet, the Court of Appeals under your leadership vacated death sentences because they were deemed "cruel and unusual." Isn't it true you simply don't believe in capital punishment for any one, under any circumstances? Of course, you don't. So, in your private chambers with no public debate or process whatsoever, you decided to concoct new law out of thin air.
For this grave abuse of power you deserve a raise? Please. You're lucky the legislature doesn't vote to cut your $156,000 salary. And the $136,700 "earned" by judges who agree with you that New York needs an unelected super-legislature.
Please sue for a pay raise, Judith. Kaye v. The People of New York has a nice populist ring to it. As the most powerful judge in New York I want to watch you argue that the State Constitution is a "living and breathing" document that merits a pay raise for one out-of-control decision after another.
I'm sure New Yorkers will evaluate your record, and (this next part is where you always have a problem and you need to pay attention) through their elected representatives, they will let you know if you deserve a pay raise.
Chris
This morning I read that you announced your intent to file a lawsuit next month if the state legislature doesn't approve a pay raise for New York's judges.
You told the Associated Press:
"I so don't want to do that . . . I've been a lawyer for 45 years, and I know the pluses and minuses of litigation. To me it is a last resort, but I've come just about to the end of my patience . . . If they don't do it now, they'll come back in an election year, and nobody wants to talk about raises in an election year . . . I am ashamed to face colleagues in other states."
Of course, you must know that pay raises should be based on performance. By that standard, I hope you will agree that New York's judges can't simply invent new law when they personally disagree with current law.
Has your Court of Appeals consistently invalidated New York's capital punishment law that my former boss signed in 1995? I was at the news conference in the Blue Room that March day, Judith. Along with my four press office colleagues, we answered call after call from the media. There was one recurring question. It was: Given the liberal and activist reputation of New York's courts, do you believe the law will withstand state judicial scrutiny?
Well, we know what happened, don't we? You, and your colleagues, decided to become legislators. And your Court of Appeals began throwing out death sentences, including the one imposed on serial killer Robert Shulman. Do you remember what Shulman did, Judith? He murdered and dismembered three women on Long Island. I'll spare you the grisly details.
In 1984, you wrote the opinion striking down the state's last capital punishment law. Governor Pataki and his attorneys were well aware of your opinion when they started the laborious task of writing a new bill in January, 1995. It was written to conform to your opinion.
Yet, the Court of Appeals under your leadership vacated death sentences because they were deemed "cruel and unusual." Isn't it true you simply don't believe in capital punishment for any one, under any circumstances? Of course, you don't. So, in your private chambers with no public debate or process whatsoever, you decided to concoct new law out of thin air.
For this grave abuse of power you deserve a raise? Please. You're lucky the legislature doesn't vote to cut your $156,000 salary. And the $136,700 "earned" by judges who agree with you that New York needs an unelected super-legislature.
Please sue for a pay raise, Judith. Kaye v. The People of New York has a nice populist ring to it. As the most powerful judge in New York I want to watch you argue that the State Constitution is a "living and breathing" document that merits a pay raise for one out-of-control decision after another.
I'm sure New Yorkers will evaluate your record, and (this next part is where you always have a problem and you need to pay attention) through their elected representatives, they will let you know if you deserve a pay raise.
Chris
RECENT POSTS: Mahmoud's Favorite Songs
N.Y. Times: Ahmadinejad Writes A Blog
I Will Always Love You If You Have Hostages
Wish You Were Here So I Could Give You 100 Lashes
The Sounds Of Silence Don't Happen When We Torture You
Born To Run Is What Your Ass Should Be If You Ever Listen To Bruce
(They Long To Be) Close To You At The Firing Squad
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Without Chopping Off Hands and Feet
Californication Gets You Death If You Ever Say That Word Aloud
I Will Always Love You If You Have Hostages
Wish You Were Here So I Could Give You 100 Lashes
The Sounds Of Silence Don't Happen When We Torture You
Born To Run Is What Your Ass Should Be If You Ever Listen To Bruce
(They Long To Be) Close To You At The Firing Squad
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Without Chopping Off Hands and Feet
Californication Gets You Death If You Ever Say That Word Aloud
Chichester Edits Statements For Accuracy
President Clinton campaigning yesterday for Hillary in Iowa:
"I (I'm going to talk about me as soon as possible) thought it would be wrong for me to rob her of the chance to be what I thought she should be (after one term as state Attorney General, six terms as Governor and two terms as President, I was done robbing). She laughed (and threw a lamp at me) and said, 'First I love you and, second, I'm not going to run for anything, I'm too hardheaded . . . '
"She has spent a lifetime as a change agent when she had the option to do other things (like divorce me) . . . It's one thing to have good intentions; it is another thing entirely to change people's lives. She's the best non-incumbent I have ever had a chance to vote for. In my whole life I've never met anyone like her (I'm through talking about Hillary, finally).
"I'm (Can we talk about me already please?) out of politics now except every two years the Democrats kind of haul me (W.J.B. Clinton in case you've forgotten) out of the barn like an old horse to see if I (Can we get back to me now?) can make it around the track one more time.
"I (Are you listening to me and my needs?) always tell people when I (we're still talking about me people) speak that you're entitled to discount what I (are you focused on the magnitude of me Iowans?) have to say. I (Do you know who I am?) want to say a few things that are very personal (meaning it's about me).
"They always send me (the 42nd President, remember?) to rural areas. I've (Freud was right about that id stuff, by the way) got boots that have been worn and I (we're almost finished talking about me and not Hillary) know one end of a horse from the other.
"People say we shouldn't refight the battles of the '90s and I (William Jefferson Blythe Clinton is my full name, you know) agree with that. I'd (I have to leave soon and won't be able to continue talking about me) sure like to have some of the victories of the '90s."
"I (I'm going to talk about me as soon as possible) thought it would be wrong for me to rob her of the chance to be what I thought she should be (after one term as state Attorney General, six terms as Governor and two terms as President, I was done robbing). She laughed (and threw a lamp at me) and said, 'First I love you and, second, I'm not going to run for anything, I'm too hardheaded . . . '
"She has spent a lifetime as a change agent when she had the option to do other things (like divorce me) . . . It's one thing to have good intentions; it is another thing entirely to change people's lives. She's the best non-incumbent I have ever had a chance to vote for. In my whole life I've never met anyone like her (I'm through talking about Hillary, finally).
"I'm (Can we talk about me already please?) out of politics now except every two years the Democrats kind of haul me (W.J.B. Clinton in case you've forgotten) out of the barn like an old horse to see if I (Can we get back to me now?) can make it around the track one more time.
"I (Are you listening to me and my needs?) always tell people when I (we're still talking about me people) speak that you're entitled to discount what I (are you focused on the magnitude of me Iowans?) have to say. I (Do you know who I am?) want to say a few things that are very personal (meaning it's about me).
"They always send me (the 42nd President, remember?) to rural areas. I've (Freud was right about that id stuff, by the way) got boots that have been worn and I (we're almost finished talking about me and not Hillary) know one end of a horse from the other.
"People say we shouldn't refight the battles of the '90s and I (William Jefferson Blythe Clinton is my full name, you know) agree with that. I'd (I have to leave soon and won't be able to continue talking about me) sure like to have some of the victories of the '90s."
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