Donald Trump, The Joker and Suckers on Three Card Monte

As a member of a County Party (RPLAC -- 50th Assembly District GOP), and a Delegate to the State Party (CAGOP), let me ask the NVGOP one thing:

How could you mess up your own Caucuses?

The Democrats had the same problem the week before, Clark County GOP and NVGOP should have been prepped and ready Caucus night.  

The chaos gave Donald Trump a third victory. Thanks/ sarc.

The Joker (Donald Trump) entering the Primaries 

I grew up in Queens, NY during the 70s - 90s.  During that time, I saw Trump become a major player in a Big Town. (Anyone who tells you Trump had no clout against Hillary Clinton in 2000 never lived in New York City during the 80s and 90s).  

Mayor Dinkins [D] and Donald Trump

Trump and Mayor Koch (far Left and Left)

Finally, Trump's own words endorsing Mayor De Blasio in 2013:

Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio got a vote [of] confidence Thursday from an unlikely source – Republican real estate mogul Donald Trump.

Trump...told an Albany radio station that he expects de Blasio to be a good mayor and is not alarmed by the candidate’s agenda, which includes greater taxes on the wealthy.

“I think he’s a smart guy that knows what’s going on really big league and I think he is not going to want to destroy New York,” Trump said of the race’s frontrunner. “I think he is going to want to make New York great.”

Trump went on to say: “ I think pretty strongly that he’ll end up being a good mayor, maybe a very good mayor and I don’t think he’s going to want to kill the golden goose.”

Let's take a lesson from some friends at the Magic Castle, here in Hollywood:

Every voter on Super Tuesday, did you see that?  That's Trump's campaign!

And who is the Queen of Hearts?

Trump with the Queen card

Don't be fooled.  

What is Trump's role in the Republican Primaries?

He plays the Joker from Batman, bringing chaos into order (see Nevada).

In Brian Azzerello's Joker, the Joker leaves Arkham Asylum and works on taking back his "territory" in Gotham City. Using fear and chaos, he takes back most of his holdings [SPOILER ALERT: Before facing Batman, his last battle is with....Two-Face and his troops. SPOILER ENDS]. 

How Trump (Joker) views Republican Primary voters

 Azzerello's Joker and a three card Monte on the Republican Primary voters equals a Secretary of State Clinton win.

 Don't be a sucker on Super Tuesday.

My question: Why is Trump trusted when he has done nothing for Republican candidates and governance when it mattered (in 2006 and 2008)?

The Rise of Little Men and the Fall of New York as the Center of America's Politics

Dicebat Bernardus Carnotensis nos esse quasi nanos, gigantium humeris insidentes, ut possimus plura eis et remotiora videre, non utique proprii visus acumine, aut eminentia corporis, sed quia in altum subvenimur et extollimur magnitudine gigantea

[Bernard of Chartres used to say that we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size.]
-- John of Salisbury, 1159

POTUS Election 2012 Blue = Obama(i)/ Red = Romney

Once upon a time, New York (Up)State was Republican (as was Long Island) and New York City was Old School Liberal.  Then after the rise of Senator Clinton (D-NY) and the cheater Mayor Bloomberg (D then R, then I), the NYGOP faded from memory. 

And the fact that New York Politics used to be provenance of Great Men and Women died in November 2000. 

Here was my beginning in Politics ( Parts 1  2  3); Old School lessons and men and women who had a sense of their History as New Yorkers and keepers of the City and State.  When Spitzer went after my Old Mentors, he went after the Last True New York Politicians (But since I went to High School, I would say give  Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) a shot at high office -- I'm a GOP in Los Angeles, what can my words do?).

Spitzer and Weiner were not like the politicians of old.  Both Roosevelt's understood the media of their day. They also understood how not to be hypocrites no matter if they raised their own funds or inherited them.

Mayor Koch, Mayor Giuliani; 
Governor Pataki; Governor Hugh Carey; 
The teams of Senators Moynihan and D'Amato and Senator Javits and Senator Kennedy.  
These were the Tyrian Lannister's of their day.

And the modern New York City and State Politicians (I am looking at you Wiener and Spitzer!) are like Peter Dinklidge in this clip:

And what we on the Right should ask:

2010 Senate Blue = Schumer (i)/ Red = Townsend

Where has the NYGOP been since 2000? They haven't won squat.

2010 Governor's Race: Blue = Cuomo/Red= Paladino

Here's an idea....the National Commitees (and PACs) stop giving funds to the NYGOP until they have a plan of winning the WHOLE State of New York again.  What cities and counties do they need to win?

2012 Senate Election Blue = Gillabrand(i)/ Red = Long

No answer? 

Until then, RPLAC and the CAGOP have candidates here in Los Angeles  fighting; send money and troops.

My question: Why should the Right spend any money in New York State when they have proven they cannot win?

G-dspeed Mayor Koch

"How'm I doin?" 

I grew up in a New York that was falling apart.

Before Mayor Giuliani came onto the scene, Ed Koch went after the corruption in his own Party, then helped clean up New York City.  

Long after their terms have faded away, everyone will remember Giuliani and Koch, not Bloomberg or Dinkins.  

Why?

Attitude. 

It comes with the food and the activity in the city of my birth.  The reason I don't care about social issues comes down to this:

If you can do the job, I don't care about your social life. Period.  I don't care about your color, creed, religion or what you did in your past, just get things done -- that was Koch. And that's me today. 

Yes, this hard core Conservative Republican, Social Libertarian, Goth from LA will miss the Mayor who made New York a better place. 

Mayor Koch, wherever you are -- you did a kick ass job.

"If you agree with me on 9 out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist." -- Mayor Koch

Help Queens and Staten Island (and the Other Outer Boroughs!)! Hurricaine Sandy Charities

An early Con Ed Map of Power Outages

Tomorrow I go partisan.

Tonight, I ask you to help these Outer Borough Charities (Everyone helps Manhattan, Bloomberg is the kind of guy to forget about the rest of the City).

Since Staten Island needs the help and Queens is my old stomping grounds, these charities rise first:

I. Red Cross

1) Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10

Donating by Telephone

2) 1-877-REDCROSS (1-877-733-2767), ext. 2617.

Donating by Mail
3) You can also make a donation by mail as follows:

To support your local chapter, the American Red Cross in Greater New York, please send a check or money order to:

The American Red Cross in Greater New York

Development Department

520 West 49th Street

New York, NY 10019

II) Queens County Economic Development Corporation

Providing disaster relief efforts for Queeens County

Contact:  Seth Bornstein  (718) 263-0546 

III)  Project Hospitality (Staten Island)

Providing help for those left Homeless throughout the borough

Contact (718) 448-1544, ext. 127

IV. Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers campaign 

In memory of FDNY Stephen Siller, killed in the WTC on 9/11/01

2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306

Phone: 718.987.1931

Here are other charities to donate to.

New York has risen from 9/11 -- it will rise from Hurricane Sandy! 

9/11 -- Eleven Years On...

9/11 WTC as seen from Midtown (The Empire State Building)

For me, 9/11 is not a day for Politics.  The day before and the day after can fit that purpose.

Sometimes, I am part of a Blogging community remembering the dead of this day (Project 2,996) and sometimes I post pictures and videos.  This post is the latter.  I'll shut up and let others say the words I cannot. 

First, Mannahatta by Walt Whitman:

Immigrants arriving, fifteen or twenty thousand in a week, 
The carts hauling goods, the manly race of drivers of horses,
   the brown-faced sailors,
The summer air, the bright sun shining, and the sailing 
   clouds aloft,
The winter snows, the sleigh-bells, the broken ice in the 
   river, passing along up or down with the flood-tide or 
   ebb-tide,
The mechanics of the city, the masters, well-form'd, 
   beautiful-faced, looking you straight in the eyes,
Trottoirs throng'd, vehicles, Broadway, the women, the 
   shops and shows,
A million people--manners free and superb--open voices--
   hospitality--the most courageous and friendly young 
   men,
City of hurried and sparkling waters! city of spires and masts! 
City nested in bays! my city!

Now, a song about New York City:

And here is the news reports on 9/11:

Here is a documentary that witnesses the first plane hit the WTC:

And here is something else to watch:

And finally, two videos that still make me tear up:

 Remember this day.

I will.

How NOT to Negotiate Policy: A Lesson for Democrats

Speaker Tip O'Neill (D) and President Ronald Reagan (R)

Speaker Tip O'Neill (D) and President Ford (R)

The three men in the pictures above represent a different time in politics; No matter how far Speaker Tip O'Neill (D-MA) and Presidents Ford (R-MI) and Reagan (R-CA), they still worked out deals to move the country forward.

And in a span of 48 hours, National Democrats failed that test but New York State Democrats passed it. 

First let me say, good on New York.  They passed something good and they did it the right way. If the legislature or public support an issue, let them pass it.  If the public supports the cause, they will reward the legislators who passed it.  Or if by Plebiscite, they will feel the will of the people were heard.  So, again, kudos on New York State.

First, how did the national Democrats fail? 

Let's hear from someone who understands the Conservative, Republican and Tea party mindset, Rush Limbaugh:


Obama still runs the White House. The Democrats still have the Senate.  The Democrats had the whole show for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  And that's when all of this damage happened.  The Republicans didn't have one -- well, they had the White House with Bush, but he was neutered for the most part.  This is quite telling.  A Senior Democrat Senate aide tells me, the estimable Greg Sargent, the Democrats "will not shy away from making that case in the weeks to come, if the Republicans keep blocking their efforts to spur job creation."  So the Republicans are purposely destroying the economy and the Republicans are purposely blocking the effort to create jobs.  My friends, as I've said, we now know, and we have the answer:  The Democrat Party is purposely sabotaging the private sector of this economy, job creation, and they are purposely sabotaging the creation of private sector jobs.  The answer is in, both of them.  Thank you, Mr. Sargent. Thank you, Democrats.  

 
"Senators Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin made the charge in remarks to reporters today. Durbin said: 'Unfortunately our Republican colleagues in the House and Senate are driven by putting one man out of work -- President Obama.'"  It's exactly right.  That will equal economic recovery for everybody else.  Senator Chuck-U Schumer said, "Do Republicans really oppose a tax cut for businesses that created jobs?" You are hearing me right.  Chuck-U is out there now trying to tell people Republicans oppose business tax cuts.  Yeah, I know, it's brazen and it's audacious, but this is who they are.  I think isn't it that the Republicans have actually proposed tax cuts for businesses?  Isn't that in their budget, a budget, by the way, that Democrats nor Obama have even presented in two budget cycles now? 

-- Rush Limbaugh, June 23, 2011, First Hour.

If you start the negotiations ready to speak to the press on "How evil/nasty/etc your negotiating partners are," don't expect love back from the other side of the table.

What modern Democrats and Liberals don't understand is that Conservatives, Republicans and tea partiers have different priorities but share some fundamental views: Less taxes, more commerce, more freedom. 

When the GOP left the Biden led talks over tax hikes, what did they expect the Republican leadership to do? Roll over?

Negotiating means telling your political tribe to cool it with the attacks (that's why Rep. Weiner had no support, no coalition builder he) and something might get done. 

This is business 101 -- and it looks like the Obama White House with all their smarts, skipped that class.

Now, to New York:

First off, I'm a Social Libertarian, so yay on doing the Right thing. 

And they did it the Right way!  Every state should follow that lead.  You want the public behind the issue, do it so the public can hold the players accountable.  

Now, how did the New York Democrats get it right?

A simple use of the carrot and stick approach.

And this is a good lesson for those who feel the GOP does not listen to them. If you feel your Political view (again related to less taxes, more commerce and more freedom) are related, get involved in expanding in both parties. 

The reason the Gay marriage issue fails federally is because the gay groups have already endorsed President Obama the year before the election.  If you want bi-partisan support, give funds and support to both parties. 


As a Jew and Goth who has hung around the high levels of the Conservatives and Republicans, let me say that we don't bite (well, maybe as a Goth, I might).  The Jews have a presence within both parties and it pays dividends galore. 


My question: why do Democrats jump to attack first rather then negotiate in good faith?

From the 'Verse to DC: Space Colonies and the American Polity

Welcome to the first Summer posting! (Don't forget to help me raise $300 for this month).  In the Summer, I do the silly and the serious.  The interesting is proposed and debated. Please join in.

When I hang out with my friend Ron (usually at Ruin), we end up talking obscure Star Wars references (Movies only, other canon not at all). From the Tarkin Doctrine to Siths, everything is in play.  (And George Lucas should have stuck with his original trilogy, much more adult, and dare I say, human) 

Some sci-fi movies and TV shows don't even have Earth  as a base (see: Firefly/Serenity), others, Earth is the goal (Battlestar Galactica 1977 and 2005); But what about those few movies and TV shows that discuss humankind expanding from Earth towards the great unknown?

How is American politics affected?



The 'Verse from Firefly



 I. The Dutch West India Company revived

In the Alien movies, Weyland-Yeutani was the large multinational with fingers in many pies.  In Outland, the Jupiter moon, Io was corporately run. 

When the colonies were first founded, New York was backed by the Dutch West India Company.  The Weyland-Yeutani of its day. Eventually, the Dutch (State) sold it to the British and the rest is history.

Since NASA is shutting down it's Space Shuttle program, the SETI program and the ISS is going nowhere -- private companies will fill the gap of humans wanting exploration.  As documented, Hollywood is Liberal (and water is wet).

If Companies know that their constituents are dying or hurt, their families back home will raise a fuss.

However, if Company-Colonies achieve Statehood status (that is, unless each planet declares Independence from Earth), then do they get Electoral votes and Congressional seats in a census?  

II. Idealistic Colonies

If you read Neuromancer, there was the Zion Cluster.  Mechanics who decided to create their own (Rastafarian) habitat.  In the Martian Chronicles, colonies on Mars were done by individuals.

For these colonies in Space and on planets (or asteroids), the American dream of the frontier continues. (Another reason why President Obama will lose in 2012, he pushed away the American Dream of The Frontier)

With the rise of Private Enterprise to create access to Space (and since the ISS is not a Bridge to other worlds), the idealistic among us will try to make the journey.  If the idealists are smart, they will hire pragmatists to help create functioning colonies.

The Cold War gave us "The Race to Space," And with the rise of Economic Giants of BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and China], who is to say if they won't have the frontier bug? The next American President should make Space Colonization a key plank.  The American Frontier must grow!

The 'Verse of Star Wars

 III. The American Polity and the 'Verse

Space law is still growing.  Property rights? Census? Representation locally and back on earth? 

In Star Wars, all of the differing worlds met in a Unicameral Senate (which became an Empire because of corruption); In Star Trek, there is a United Federation of Planets -- a UN based in San Francisco. 

The 'Verse of Star Trek

If mankind moves beyond the Moon and into the Black, will America fight for added population? Only if materials are fading.


In the early lives of colonies in Space, the colonists will be Americans (if we get out there first).  Independence comes later. 




The next President should help promote Private and Public travel to the Stars.  The next President should promote living in the 'Verse.  A fully Republican Congress will help promote both of these dreams.  


It is a jobs program based in the United States: Florida, Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Southern California (Los Angeles) can help create these new worlds.

The American public will enjoy the added tax revenue from the Stars (especially if they are Company-Colonies); The idealistic Colonies will err to the Right and Libertarianism because of their desire to create their frontier.

President Obama closed the American frontier, it is time to re-open it after 2012.

My question: Will Americans reach into the 'verse first? What happens after the first colonies are made? Does Congress gain more seats? Or are they independent nations? 

Trump's Game: Using New York tactics in a National Game

If you were reading the Valley in March, I called out Donald Trump's faux campaign.  He is not serious, he was never serious.  He never even filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Inside the game of politics, Karma always rules and History always repeats. 

Every Presidential campaign has the seeds of another historical campaign.  Every Democratic candidate running in 2004 thought it was Election 1992, instead it was a replay of Election 1996.

Next year's campaign is a replay of Election 1980 -- more detail in a later post. 

Now that Trump is dropping in the polls, the question becomes: What as he doing there to begin with?

Let's ride the Wayback machine to the Republican Primary 2008.

Mayor Guliani (R-NY) was forced out by a team-up by Former Governor Huckabee and Former Governor Romney.  

Here in the Southland, Rudy was loved by every GOP activist in the basin (we are Social Libertarians,  after all).  When Giuliani lost in Florida, he could not go forward.


As we get closer to 2012, Romney (and maybe Huckabee) are front runners. 


What Trump did by playing the "Birther," card was go on offense where Romney would never attack. Yes, it was offensive, but it was not being used to attack President Obama, it was a play to weaken Romney.


Weakening Romney is not that hard, he has no major defenders in the Right Blogosphere and he has shown no support for any Republicans under fire.  What Trump did was force Romney to play by new rules (which Romney cannot learn).  Now that the "RAAAAACIST," card has been played out (try it in 2012 my Democratic opponents) going on offense, to treat Obama the way Bush fils was treated is the new rule. 


Karma, baby

While Trump retires (he doesn't need the Apprentice anymore -- he can pass a lot of stuff over to his kids), he will come in on Giuliani's recommendation for a Government position.

In a Palin Administration.

Trump helped his Rudy, Rudy will return the favor.  New York Rules will beat the establishment every time. 


My question: Who is smarter, Rudy or Palin?   

 

Why Donald Trump's Presidential campaign will close Friday (4/1)

I'm a former New Yorker.  I'm also a big fan of New York City Politics.

 

In the same breath that I praise Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY), I can praise Mayor Koch (D-NY).  We New Yorkers are larger then life, we think big, we dream big, we make big footsteps in the world.

 

Heck, look at my High School Alumni (Forest Hills High School):

 

Simon & Garfunkel (1958)

The Ramones ( 1974 +)

Burt Bacharach (1946)

Captain Kangaroo (1945)

Jacob Lew (1972)  -- OMB Chair during Clinton Administration

Frank Lorenzo,

 

and, of course,

 

Peter Parker (Thank you Stan Lee!).

 

 

This year I am writing a book on how the GOP can get 55 Electoral votes from the West Coast (and especially the City of Angels -- just discussed with Robert McCain).  We New Yorkers, current and former, we dream BIG.

 

 

 

Now, why do I think Donald Trump (whom I think is a great businessman and New Yorker) is pulling every one's leg?  .  

 

 

 

 

As I always say, "The past is precedence," 

 

 

 

Thanks to the Huffington Post Fundrace, I can look back at Mr. Trump's contributions back to 2004. 

 

 

 

Let's look:

 

 

 

In 2010, Donald trump donated $2,000 to Rep. Wiener (D- Forest Hills) and another $2,000 to Senatior Chuck Schumer (D-Brooklyn); [Democrats]

 

In 2010, Trump donated $1,000 for Senator Coburn (R-OK) and $500 for Rep. Chris Lee (R-NJ). [Republicans]

 

 

 

In 2009,  $2,400 for Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), $2,000 for Bill Nelson, $4,000 for Senator Schumer (D-Brooklyn),  $1,000 for Rep Maloney (D-NY), [Democrats];

 

 

 

In 2008, $25,000 for the DSCC, $4,400 for Senator Schumer (D-Brooklyn),, this is just a small prtion.

 

 

 

For the GOP, Trump donated $10,000 to the NRSC, $2,300 for Senator McCain (post Presidential Primary), and $2,300 for Mayor Guliani (during the Presidential Primary).

 

 

 

And let's roll back to 2004, $2,000 for President Bush, and $2,000 for Senator Kerry.

 

 

 

In the mix of all these donations, has The Donald tried to change New York to be more friendly to Tea Partiers, Conservatives or Republicans?  NO.

 

 

If he wants to invest in changing a political structure, I can give him a few organizations here in the Southland.

 

 

Until then, The Donald is playing everyone. 

 

Presidential candidates usually spend time, energy and funds backing candidates of the same party consistently for at least half a decade before they jump in; Or they invest in pushing a policy when they are known to score points (see Gingrich, Newt).

 

 

However, while I might not cite The Donald as POTUS material, I think he would be great in the Deaprtment of the Treasury and OMB in the 2013 Palin Administration.  . 

 

My question, what does The Donald get by playing this game?

 

 

 

New Years Eve 2011

Being on PST means we are the last (or near last) to celebrate 1/1/11....

So have a great New Years Eve!  Get home safe and sound, and enjoy the tunes:

Happy new year! See you next year!

A Paean to Pamela Geller

[This is a post about someone I consider a friend; If you have nothing nice to say about this post, stay quiet. I will delete if need be.  Same goes for any post about my friends]

 

The great and talented Pamela Geller was the ONLY person I wanted to speak for the Southland Fundraiser.   She can inspire a crowd (as in TX); She is able to draw a crowd in support of her causes [Stop Islamicization of America] in New York City -- and she doesn't have a band nor is she an actress.  That is charisma and passion.  And she was the Tripwire the Ground Zero Mosque has to go through.  She is a one-woman Newsmaker. 

 

When the Southland Fundraiser returns in the Election 2012 cycle, it will still be Pamela Geller speaking at the Reagan Museum. 

 

I am reading her book, The Post-American Presidency, and she is a great writer.  I'll review it when I'm done. 

 

Even though I hit the zeitgeist with the story of Obama and LA traffic, I would rather have met the great Pamela Geller at Skirball last Monday.

 

We in the Right Blogosphere have a saying in 2010: The women of the Right [Governor Palin, Rep. Bachmann and Pamela Geller] have more balls then the men.  She fights and she fights hard.  As a former New Yorker, I would stand by her in any fight. (aned like any true New Yorker, she knows how to fight).

 

So, consider this a tip of the hat to a great Blogger, fighter and friend.  When I am working at the California Republican Party, I owe her a nice dinner in Los Angeles.  It would be an honor. And I will always smile at the thought of her singing "Happy Birthday," on my last birthday.  The prettiest, smartest woman of the Right Bl;ogosphere sang to me.  I couldn't stop smiling for a week.

 

Keep reading Atlas Shrugs and support my friends in the Blogosphere.

 

 

Friends over Party Labels: Why the New York Post should leave My Friends Alone

If you read through my posts, you will see that I will fight for Conservatives and Republicans. My rules are simple, (Read Tip O'Neill's book for details):

1) Stand for what you believe;
2) Call out the wankers on the other side, and
3) Always, always, always, protect your friends.

Go back a bit and read my Political Conversion story (1, 2, 3). As I attacked Andrew Sullivan for going after Palin's family (and for Conor Friersdorf for allowing it to happen), I'm going to tell the New York Post, and every New York newspaper and magazine stay away from my friends: Alexandra Chartier and her father, Jack Chartier.

Yes, Jack Chartier worked for Alan Hevesi, yes he is a Democrat, but they are my friends. And why is Newsweek bringing back Governor #9? He was a hypocrite. I say Hevesi and Chartier are two honorable men should be supported(whatever is going on between them is not my concern), highlight them.

They were Old School Democrats, it's where I learned to treat the opposition like opponents, not enemies. They never taught me the school of Hating American Opponents. (Remember Hevesi said One bad thing about President Bush, then apologized. As I said, Old School.)

And this message is for Andrew Breitbart: The Workers Front Party (a political front of ACORN) went after my friend Alexandra in NYC. Sic your Big Government reporters on that.

So this is my one and only warning to the New York media: Leave the Chartiers and Hevasis alone. And if you work in New York City, hire Alexandra Chartier, she is a quick learner and great worker. If you need to contact her about a job, email me.

And if her dad ever wants to come over to the Right, I will always keep an open door.

My question: Has friendship ever trumped partisanship?

Things that are just plain silly

In no particular order:

1) Tiger's woes: Don't care, Don't care, don't care. He plays great Golf and does not insult my people in the Political realm. Living in Los Angeles, it is easy to understand that Hollywood people are "real," people. Surprised? Don't be.

I will only wish him the best, but the lesson is learned for when I find the Right woman to settle down with: Don't cheat. Lesson learned.

2) 2012 -- End of the world? I read books and comics about Dystopias; Since living through New York City's failure, some of us have always seen chaos always at the door. But if the Mayans are right, cancel the Election NOW! (that was sarcasm). The world did not end in the 70's, 80's or 90's. Y2K was a joke. Global warming was a lie by the CRU. The world will not end. Next!

3) Palin Birther Commentary: She's playing a joke! The fact that the Left Blogosphere fell for it shows they lack a sense of humor. Here's a hint: Obama Birther's will go away when Andrew Sullivan's Trig Trutherism goes away. Send Andrew Sullivan home.

Personally, I think President Obama is an Evil Time Lord from the future or one who wants to create the next Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters.

4) This week's Doctor Who -- Following the First Doctor's journey, this is not one of the strongest episodes. Edge of Destruction -- silly.



So laugh and enjoy the weekend. The fundraiser I mentioned is one step closer to reality. That is not silly, but fun. When it's completed, I hope to YOU there.

An Anti-Hero for the Next Decade: Avery Cates

While I was dealing with Government Run health care, I started reading a great series by Jeff Somers. For the past two months, I have been in the Post-Unification World of Avery Cates, and it is worth every penny.

First, start with: The Electric Church.

In this novel, the encroaching influence of the Electric Church is causing problems for the head of internal affairs, Richard Martin. The Electric Monks take people and actively convert them. Converting, by the way, means that your head and mind become electronic and follow the directives of the head of the Electric Church.

Richard Martin hires Anti-hero Avery Cates to stop the Church from Converting more people. In the post-unification world, who has your back is most important (especially in a political Blog).

The next novel, The Digital Plague, has Avery Cates searching for the cause of his disease. It is nanobots who attack people and when Cates leaves the area, they spread and kill their host. It starts in Newark and knowledge of The Electric Church is important. Who started it and why? Worth reading as winter comes.

And the current novel, The Eternal Prison, finds Cates stuck in a prison with no escape. The book carries the life of Cates for two years and Richard Martin ties tightly into the story. And throughout the book, civil war is occuring. How does Cates survive and what side does Cates choose? Read and enjoy.

Somers' also has an interesting Blog. Here he writes on the futility of Origin stories (Is he a Marvel fan too?). I will only contribute two things to his post-unification world. Since this is a political Blog, how did Unification come about? And maybe one piece of Avery Cates' life. To be used or not by Somers' discretion. Onward into the muck!

From my standpoint, Unification started fifteen years after today. The UN finally proved to be a waste of funds and people, that a super secret group decided that World Government is needed with a police force. Only Western nations could apply. And thankfully, there was a rebellion in the States, all 50 of them. The fight led to a tightening of Police and Stormers. The parliament in charge dissolved and we have Parliament 2.0 in the Electric Church.

Unification wins, but no one is happy. NYC is destroyed and robots have all the jobs. Trouble brews and........

Ok, that's just my take. And on Cates?

I think he became a Gunner by being involved with the Battle of Austin Street that ended in McDonalds on 71st Continental Avenue. He fought from Flushing Meadow Park down 108th Street to Austin Street. And he learned to be a Gunner.

Ok, that's just my theories. (I grew up in Forest Hills, just wanted to give it a shout out)Read those books and enjoy. As the election gets closer, we might need a little Cates in all of us.

Godspeed Brother Tim and the Future of Meet the Press

Please join in the Valley of the Shadow Annual Fundraiser. We are raising $7,700. Please hit the Tip Jar here to contribute. Thank you
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Whether I lived in the same city, or 3000 miles away in Washington, DC, one thing my dad and I always agreed on, Tim Russert was the best reporter on Sunday. I always nicknamed him, "Brother Tim," because of his monk like knowledge of the Political and Policy worlds.

On Friday, when the news came across the Nets that Mr. Russert died, I was very sad. Here was a man who moved up from his Blue Collar roots to work with the best the Democrats of the 70's have to offer: Governor Mario Cuomo and Senator Moynihan.

Eventually, Russert moved to Meet the Press where he became the longest serving Moderator. What made Russert a great reporter on Sunday mornings (and why the Nielson ratings for Washington, DC always put Meet the Press on top) was because, unlike modern reporters, he never became a supplicant to any politician. In 2002, Russert challenged Cheney on Iraq; In 2008, he challenged Senator Clinton on New York Drivers licenses.

He always made politicians of all stripes match their rhetoric. No one was immune. He was so successful at challenging Democrats, Arianna Huffington started a Russert Watch. Huffington did not understand that Russert was "Old School," and he did not care what letter was after a politicians name. And he never made it personal.

Godspeed, Brother Tim, Godspeed.

The Future of Meet the Press

Since I met the producer of Meet the Press at an Alumni function years ago back in DC, I want to mail this to her. I want NBC to know who should fll Russert's large shoes. (and what made them large? He was a humble guy who liked everybody). Now, who should follow?

One of the factors is that Meet the Press is an NBC made and produced show, it goes in-house. The next factor is someone who had experience in Politics and Policy, now whom?

1) Pete Williams - He has the background of Hill experience and a longtime reporter for NBC.

2) Jim Miklaszewski -- He is one of the most thorough reporters in the Pentagon. Though a press background, no one of any political stripe would deny his professionalism.

3) Lester Holt -- Again, news background but someone who is professional and every Political stripe can talk to.

4) Chuck Todd -- No one in DC goes anywhere without talking to Mr. Todd; Political and Policy experience and an NBC person.

5) Andrea Mitchell -- Understands Foreign and Domestic policy. Definitely worth a chance.

6) Joe Scarborough -- He is an anchor to MSNBC and was a former congressman from Florida. Actually provides a counterbalance to Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann. If either of these two latter people get the chair of Meet the Press, the value goes down. I vote NO.

Good luck staff of Meet the Press. Mourn wistfully, plan boldly, create imaginatively. America's future is in your hands.

Breaking News! Senator Clinton leaving campaign before PA!

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I got this through a source back in Queens. This article will be published on Thursday by the Queens Tribune, and submitted to the Assosciated Press:

April 3, 2008. Harold Ickes will announce tomorrow that Senator Clinton (D-Chappaqua) will leave the race because of efforts of Gov. Howard Dean, head of the Democratic National Committee, and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-Brooklyn).

"We are trying to unify the party any way we can," said Governor Dean, "I am happy that Senator Clinton took the first step," After a lifetime in Politics, many question what Senator Clinton's next step will be. Will she try to run for Governor? Or is she angling for a position in a future Senator Obama (D-IL) administration?

Senator Schumer said, "Whatever she wants to do, New York City and State is available to her and her husband,"

There are others who are not so forgiving. Lloyd Chavis, of Forest Hills, an African-American, says, "Senator Clinton always tried to put us on the back of the bus. First she didn't support [State Comptroller Carl] McCall, then she didn't support [Mayor Wellington Webb of Denver, Colorado] for head of the Democrats. This is the first thing she has done for us since she became a Senator,"

The Tribune was unable to get any statement from the Senator Obama or McCain campaigns at this time.

The Conversion, Part Two

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Here is Part One.

In College, my Cynicism of Ground Level politics faded to Idealism. My last year at Nassau Community College was the year of the Gulf war. Like every young Liberal Democrat student, I went out to protest.

Our issues at the protest were simple: Why didn't President George H.W. Bush support Democracies in the Middle East? Imagine my surprise twenty-five years later, the protests are about now: Why aren't we negotiating with Dictators and Theocrats?

At the time I was a Liberal, it meant that people should be liberated from tyranny, FDR was the guide back then. I question who modern Liberals follow now.

Than I transferred to SUNY-Stonybrook. Out in Long Island was a Republican Stronghold. During my time on campus, I became a Student Senator and than a University Senator.

This was also the year of the 1992 election. Here is where I started to question the foundation of Democratic thinking.

1) As a University Senator, I had to argue whether the Campus Police should have guns to protect the students. This was before the LIRR Shooting. When it came to discuss the issue in the University Senate, most Professors and Administrators (Liberals all), rather than look at pros and cons, were reflexively were against it. And when a Student Representative of the University Senate called for a vote, the meeting adjourned before any vote could be taken. I was shaken.

2) Then-former Governor Jerry Brown came to campus during the Primaries. It was my Swan Song before switching. Gov. Clinton was sounded like a re-fried Dukakis and Mondale (Ferraro representated Forest Hills and like every kid in 1984 in Forest Hills, cut out to see the event on Austin Street), so I didn't see anything new about him. When Brown came to campus, it was the Democratic staff with him which caused rumors to start flying. How back in 1992, the Liberal wing of the Democratic party seem to not a whit about Israel's survival. These were people in their 20's and early 30's, and word spread after Brown left. But the damage was done.

I called and let my parents know I was switching. Yes, they were surprised, but they accepted. I was going into uncharted territory.

Finally, around Summer Break, after I switched, Jack Chartier asked me when I was over at his house, if I wanted to switch back and help Hevesi? I declined. I'm sure someone can write the Alternate History on that Point of Divergence.

What happened next? Well, I'm writing a book about what I learned (both Dem and Rep). Also, I cite Aurora, Donald Douglas, and Jason's Blog there too.

As a Republican, I've traveled from Liberal Republican to Conservative, but my views never changed much from when I was a Democrat. For instance, Wilsonianism was originally a Democratic idea; So was supporting Israel. Since than, I've followed the party that believes in those things too.

Did you take a journey from one party to another? Why or why not?

The Conversion, Part One

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I've danced around the issue long enough. But a combination of returning to my writing (fiction and Non-fiction), and New York Politics in the news (with a slack in the Presidential primary), means this is a good time to tell everyone how I went from a FDR backer growing up in NYC to a W supporter (even) today.

***Before we begin, a dirty joke from my friend's family (who will be discussed here) up in NY: Why did Governor Spitzer go to prostitutes? Because Silda was a Spitzer.*****

I grew up in New York City during the 1970's. That meant drugs were available on most street corners; City services were failing and crime was rampant. When John Carpenter made Escape from New York and the X-Men entered the Days of Future Past, New York was falling apart. Visions of a NYC dystopia seemed not too far off.

My parents were young activists; Neither of my Grandparents weren't. Both Grandfathers were Union men. Before my Dad met my Mom, he spent a year at the Pentagon working for General Westmoreland. The next year, he went to Saigon and worked in communications. Then, he went back to Queens and worked for a Olivetti, a typewriter company.

When my Dad got back from Woodstock to see The Who, he met my Mom at the office on Park Avenue. After dating for two weeks and two days, they got married on Halloween. A week later, they protested in front of the Pentagon. A year later, I showed up (1970).

As they got older, my Mom remained active for a while. She volunteered for McGovern, and in 1976, she worked for Carter. My Dad drove a Checker cab and sold land in Pennsylvania for Oil and Gas leases during the Oil shock.

During the 80's, the family moved to Forest Hills. I met Jack Chartier's daughter (who told the joke above) in High School, and we became friends in 1985. It turned out Jack was running for the City Council Seat for Queens. He was forced out of the race due to Queens Machine Politics.
At 15, during Jack's campaign, I met former Tammany Hall people (They lived in Rego Park). During the next year, I learned a few things from those people:

A) How to re-weigh a Voting machine in the Counting Room;
B) How to Change the Count in the Counting Room;
C) Putting Partisans in crowds and Media to get your point heard;
D) There is no exact numbers after an Election.

I went to High School with Hevesi's kids as well. After a while, I drifted away from Politics (as I
usually do every few years), and got into music, writing, Comics and BBS'. I read Karl Marx and felt cool to be a Communist until I started my first job at Sizzler on Metropolitan Ave. and found a dishwasher lazier than I was who got paid more than I did. Marx lasted three months.

Then, I started College at Nassau Community College and....

[To Be Continued]