THE PARIS HILTON SYNDROME HITS THE U.S. CONGRESS. DICK CHENEY'S MAN IN NEW YORK, VITO FOSSELLA, DRUNK AT THE WHEEL?
UP FRONT News May 2, 2008
Published by Tom Weiss
Editorial Advisor: Willard Whittingham
"The paper that can't be bought and can't be sold."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UPFRONTNewsdiscussionforum
http://www.tomsupfrontnews.blogspot.com/
THE PARIS HILTON SYNDROME HITS THE U.S. CONGRESS. DICK CHENEY'S MAN IN NEW YORK, VITO FOSSELLA, DRUNK AT THE WHEEL? DWI IS A LIFE-THREATENING OFFENSE AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. WILL FOSSELLA BENEFIT FROM THE DOUBLE STANDARD? THE POLITICS: NEEDED A STRONG DEMOCRAT TO DEFEAT VITO FOSSELLA. DOMINIC RECCHIA OR STEPHEN HARRISON? THE HYER-SPENCER FACTOR?
By Tom Weiss
The arrest of U.S. Conngressman Vito Fossella (R.-S.I.) of course has political implications. As far as I am concerned anyone guilty of DWI should serve some serious jail time. Why? Because anyone who drives drunk is, in the most literal sense possible, endangering the lives of others. Fossella, if guilty, should go to jail. The chances are, however, that he will get off very easy, especially as he engages in a mea culpa publicity campaign.
It is a known fact that in nations such as the U.S., with a pattern of corruption in government, there is a double standard that, with some exceptions, protects politicians and other celebrities. The New York State legislature which continues to steal taxpayer money and pay corrupt and dishonest politicians like Staten Island's Matthew Titone (correctly identified in UP FRONT News at "the worst legislator in 'the worst state legislature in the country'") is a national laughing stock. The New York City Council, led by the the Slush Fund Queen Christine Quinn, could drive honest citizens to drink (but hopefully not drive at the same time).
Vito Fossella, even as he engages in potential vehicular terrorism, is one of the loudmouths on the subject of terrorism. Fossella is Dick Cheney's ambassador to New York City. He deserves, aside from whatever "justice" he faces for driving while drunk, an early political retirement.
In 2006 he was, in a manner of speaking, challenged by "peace candidate" Brooklynite Stephen Harrison. Harrison is a favorite of the established peace movement here which, despite some very dedicated activists, (e.g. Bill Johnsen), is autocratically and erratically (David and Sally Jones, Mike May) run, has some extremist ties and, not surprisingly, has little in the way of grass roots support. Mr. Harrison attributes his defeat by Fossella in 2006 (it was not close) to the fact that Fossella outspent him. The fact is that 2006 was a Democratic landslide year and Fossella represented a Republican Administration that ranks low in popularity even among "conservative" Staten Islanders.
The peace clique in Staten Island, also known as Peace Action of Staten Island (PASI), once again backing Mr. Harrison, has played some games by ignoring the fact that City Councilman Dominic Recchia (D.-Bklyn.) is also an announced candidate. PASI recently held a marginally attended event in the parking lot of the First Central Baptist Church (of which I am a member). Indeed, FCBC's grass roots run far deeper than the fringy PASI. The Joneses (Sally and David), who constitute much of the PASI ruling group, decided to only invite Harrison. And when I rather mildly criticized Sally for that maneuver as well as for her contribution to scheduling mishap which she had asked me to straighten out, David went ballistic and it required the restraining actions of a FCBC church member to stop him from physically assaulting me. And this guy is a peace activist? Sure, and Dick Cheney is an animal rights advocate.
Some months ago New York State Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, a Staten Islander who represents a district including parts of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, told me that she plans to run against Fossella - in 2010. When I asked her why not 2008, she
talked about the money necessary and also said she owed it to her constituents to remain as a member of the Assembly for two terms.
Ms. Hyer-Spencer has the misfortune to sit right behind her corrupt colleague Titone in the Assembly chamber in Albany. She is very discreet in her recognition of the negligence of Titone, as she has offered to assist me in resolving several serious constituent matters that Titone provided no help on. (As of this date, Ms. Hyer-Spencer has expressed the preference to keep the facts of her assistance to me off the written record. I have told her that, in matters of such seriousness, I am not comfortable with "he said, she said" telephone accounts.)
In stating that she did not plan to challenge Fossella until 2010, Ms. Hyer-Spencer was hardly giving a vote of confidence to Mr. Harrison. I do not know her views on Mr. Recchia, who entered the race after Harrison.
As far as I am concerned, although I voted for Mr. Harrison in 2006, my impression is that he is essentially a creature of the rather gentrified "peace movement" here and that Mr. Recchia (unless he is not firm in opposition to the Iraq War and steers as clear as possible of Republicrat Hillary Clinton) may have a better chance at beating Fossella, whether or not the incumbent can maintain sobriety behind the wheel.
Tomsupfrontnews@yahoo.com
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Published by Tom Weiss
Editorial Advisor: Willard Whittingham
"The paper that can't be bought and can't be sold."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UPFRONTNewsdiscussionforum
http://www.tomsupfrontnews.blogspot.com/
THE PARIS HILTON SYNDROME HITS THE U.S. CONGRESS. DICK CHENEY'S MAN IN NEW YORK, VITO FOSSELLA, DRUNK AT THE WHEEL? DWI IS A LIFE-THREATENING OFFENSE AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. WILL FOSSELLA BENEFIT FROM THE DOUBLE STANDARD? THE POLITICS: NEEDED A STRONG DEMOCRAT TO DEFEAT VITO FOSSELLA. DOMINIC RECCHIA OR STEPHEN HARRISON? THE HYER-SPENCER FACTOR?
By Tom Weiss
The arrest of U.S. Conngressman Vito Fossella (R.-S.I.) of course has political implications. As far as I am concerned anyone guilty of DWI should serve some serious jail time. Why? Because anyone who drives drunk is, in the most literal sense possible, endangering the lives of others. Fossella, if guilty, should go to jail. The chances are, however, that he will get off very easy, especially as he engages in a mea culpa publicity campaign.
It is a known fact that in nations such as the U.S., with a pattern of corruption in government, there is a double standard that, with some exceptions, protects politicians and other celebrities. The New York State legislature which continues to steal taxpayer money and pay corrupt and dishonest politicians like Staten Island's Matthew Titone (correctly identified in UP FRONT News at "the worst legislator in 'the worst state legislature in the country'") is a national laughing stock. The New York City Council, led by the the Slush Fund Queen Christine Quinn, could drive honest citizens to drink (but hopefully not drive at the same time).
Vito Fossella, even as he engages in potential vehicular terrorism, is one of the loudmouths on the subject of terrorism. Fossella is Dick Cheney's ambassador to New York City. He deserves, aside from whatever "justice" he faces for driving while drunk, an early political retirement.
In 2006 he was, in a manner of speaking, challenged by "peace candidate" Brooklynite Stephen Harrison. Harrison is a favorite of the established peace movement here which, despite some very dedicated activists, (e.g. Bill Johnsen), is autocratically and erratically (David and Sally Jones, Mike May) run, has some extremist ties and, not surprisingly, has little in the way of grass roots support. Mr. Harrison attributes his defeat by Fossella in 2006 (it was not close) to the fact that Fossella outspent him. The fact is that 2006 was a Democratic landslide year and Fossella represented a Republican Administration that ranks low in popularity even among "conservative" Staten Islanders.
The peace clique in Staten Island, also known as Peace Action of Staten Island (PASI), once again backing Mr. Harrison, has played some games by ignoring the fact that City Councilman Dominic Recchia (D.-Bklyn.) is also an announced candidate. PASI recently held a marginally attended event in the parking lot of the First Central Baptist Church (of which I am a member). Indeed, FCBC's grass roots run far deeper than the fringy PASI. The Joneses (Sally and David), who constitute much of the PASI ruling group, decided to only invite Harrison. And when I rather mildly criticized Sally for that maneuver as well as for her contribution to scheduling mishap which she had asked me to straighten out, David went ballistic and it required the restraining actions of a FCBC church member to stop him from physically assaulting me. And this guy is a peace activist? Sure, and Dick Cheney is an animal rights advocate.
Some months ago New York State Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, a Staten Islander who represents a district including parts of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, told me that she plans to run against Fossella - in 2010. When I asked her why not 2008, she
talked about the money necessary and also said she owed it to her constituents to remain as a member of the Assembly for two terms.
Ms. Hyer-Spencer has the misfortune to sit right behind her corrupt colleague Titone in the Assembly chamber in Albany. She is very discreet in her recognition of the negligence of Titone, as she has offered to assist me in resolving several serious constituent matters that Titone provided no help on. (As of this date, Ms. Hyer-Spencer has expressed the preference to keep the facts of her assistance to me off the written record. I have told her that, in matters of such seriousness, I am not comfortable with "he said, she said" telephone accounts.)
In stating that she did not plan to challenge Fossella until 2010, Ms. Hyer-Spencer was hardly giving a vote of confidence to Mr. Harrison. I do not know her views on Mr. Recchia, who entered the race after Harrison.
As far as I am concerned, although I voted for Mr. Harrison in 2006, my impression is that he is essentially a creature of the rather gentrified "peace movement" here and that Mr. Recchia (unless he is not firm in opposition to the Iraq War and steers as clear as possible of Republicrat Hillary Clinton) may have a better chance at beating Fossella, whether or not the incumbent can maintain sobriety behind the wheel.
Tomsupfrontnews@yahoo.com
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posted by Tom Weiss at 6:30 PM
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