In Memoriam: Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Remembering a man with many triumphs, many failures, many shortcomings, many tragedies but above all many great deeds. To a man who has helped to shape a nation and define generations. A strong leader and a strong individual. Though you have passed on, your legacy will live on forever.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy

1932 - 2009

In the News: We Want Rudy!

After hearing many whispers as to the possibility of a run for Governor of New York in 2010, we are beginning to see some clear signs that Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York City, is seriously considering running. Web sites such as DraftRudy.com and Facebook groups trying to drum up support for a gubernatorial bid can be found all over and the Internet and Mr. Giuliani has reportedly told some of his associates that he plans to announce if he will run within the next 60 days.

In recent weeks, Mr. Giuliani has been wading into statewide politics, a move many people are regarding as a serious sign of his planning to run. Last Friday Mr. Giuliani had a meeting with Joseph Mondello, chairman of the New York State GOP and just yesterday Mr. Mondello announced that he would not be seeking another term as chairman. Following this announcement, aides to Mr. Giuliani were making phone calls to officials across the state to gauge support for Henry F. Wojtaszek, a candidate for chairman and a major supporter of Mr. Giuliani's 2008 Presidential bid.

Congressman Peter T. King of the 3rd Congressional district, representing parts of Long Island, met with Mr. Giuliani in recent weeks. “Several times, he said to me that he sees state government similar to where New York City was in 1993: out of control,” Rep. King said after meeting with Mr. Giuliani late last month in Washington. “So many people are saying the state can’t be governed, which is what everyone was saying about the city then. In Rudy’s mind, this is a challenge.”

Mr. Giuliani was quoted at an address he made at Crain's New York as saying: “If I thought that I could make a real difference in the state, really change things and it really needed me, then I probably would do it.”

While we don't know for sure yet if Mr. Giuliani will run, one thing is for sure. The State of New York needs a change in leadership and WE WANT RUDY!

Rudolph W. Giuliani for Governor in 2010

Sources:

New York Times

NY Post

DraftRudy.com

In the News: Prop 8 Goes to Court With Some New Supporters

Theodore B. Olson is not a name synonymous with social activism. He is, however, known for his position as the head of the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department under the Reagan administration. Perhaps he is even better known for his role in the Supreme Court case of Bush V. Gore in 2000, in which he represented President Bush and secured his first term in the White House. In fact, Mr. Olson has stood before the bench in the Supreme Court 55 times.

But now, Mr. Olson is taking on what could be one of the most important cases he has ever tried. Mr. Olson has filed a lawsuit on behalf of two gay couples in the Federal District Court in San Francisco, challenging Proposition 8, the state-wide ban on same-sex marriage. Proposition 8 passed last year as a state referendum in a 52-48 vote.

Mr. Olson hopes that the case will lead him to his 56th case in front of the United States Supreme Court, where he hopes to argue for the rights of gay couples across the nation. Mr. Olson has drawn fire from both sides of the political spectrum over his support for same-sex marriage. Despite the recent support of same-sex marriage from conservatives like Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John McCain, many conservatives are baffled by Mr. Olson's support. On the left, many longtime advocates for same-sex marriage have expressed not only distrust for Mr. Olson but also apprehension at bringing same-sex marriage before the courts, for fear that a loss could set back marriage equality considerably.

But Mr. Olson keeps his head high and anticipates the legal battle that will hopefully bring marriage equality to gay couples across America. The trial is set to start January 11th in front of Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the Federal District Court in San Francisco.

Sources:

NY Times

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys, sorry it has been awhile since my last post. I've been hard at work on an original piece that I think you will all really like. Just to give you all a taste, it's a piece on the New York State Bailout of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and some of the opposition to it. The piece will be complete with interviews from not only the opposition to the bill, but some of those that it is hurting. I should have it for you soon. In the meantime, keep reading. Thank you all for your support!

- Kyle

In the News: Everyone Hates Health Care Even More

As America descends into chaos over the proposed Health Care legislation, one has to wonder: Has America lost its mind? The answer is no. We stopped allowing people to think for themselves. Or so it would appear.

Congress members have begun holding town hall style public forums to address concerns of their constituents regarding health care. And of course, when you talk public forum, you tend to find some of the cream of the crop. People from both sides of the political spectrum have been flooding these town hall meetings with quite a bit to say. Reports of shouting matches, offensive signs, fights and even arrests have abounded from town hall meetings across the country. And we've finally seen the return of Nazi comparisons with signs depicting Obama as Hitler and using swastikas and SS symbols.

The Liberal media has been quick to denounce the outspoken opponents of what the media likes to call "ObamaCare," calling them "Fake Protesters." It would seem that you are a "fake protester" if you are an opponent of ObamaCare and listen to any of the more conservative ideals of the Republican Party. The media as well as the White House have been criticizing those websites, bloggers and talk show hosts who have encouraged people to attend the public forums and speak out against ObamaCare. The Liberal Media has been quick to say these "fake protesters" are just being organized by the Republican party solely to disrupt these forums. It would seem that the only voices that should be heard are those of ObamaCare supporters, who are the only people with real and valid opinions. For we must remember that Democrats do not disrupt public forums, compare government officials to Nazis or encourage their supporters to flood public forums to express their support.......

WAIT A SECOND!

The Democratic party has acted in the same way to help get their supporters to the town hall meetings and show their support as the Republicans have to get their voice of opposition heard. Last time I checked, it was not only appropriate but common circumstance to encourage members of your party to voice their support or opposition to legislation, particularly at a public forum meant to hear the concerns of constituents. And a Democrat can yell just as loud, and often just as ignorantly, as any Republican. And I'm sure that Nancy Pelosi, who has spoken out against protesters depicting the Obama Administration as Nazis, will remember the many protests during the Bush Administration where we saw Bush depicted as Hitler so often it stopped being impactful.

It's clear to me that it has become far too easy to cast those not in the majority as mindless followers. While both parties have their fair share of straight-ticket voting, brainwashed masses, some people still use their brains (I hope) and are able to form their own opinions and protest or support that which they believe in. To sum up this article I'm going to include some of my favorite quotes surrounding the Health Care Debate from this week:

When asked if she felt protesters at town hall meetings were legitimate grass roots opposition or "astro-turf" Nancy Pelosi replied: "I think they're AstroTurf. You be the judge. They're carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town meeting on health care."

The Democratic National Convention put in their two cents on the protests at town hall meetings calling them: "mob activity straight from the playbook of high-level Republican political operatives. They have no plan for moving our country forward, so they've called out the mob."

And for all my left-leaning friends, I thought we could all get a chuckle out of the GOP's favorite loony. "The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care," "Such a system is downright evil." - Sarah Palin, via Facebook

Sources:

NY Times

Real Clear Politics

NY Post

In the News: Clunker Program A Clunker Itself?

The "Cash for Clunkers" program has been an overwhelming success. So much so that the $1 Billion dollars allotted has already run out. Now, after the House passed a $2 Billion dollar extension before departing for their one month recess, it is up to the Senate to decide the fate of the program before they break at the end of this week.

The program, which gives customers refunds of either $3,500 or $4,500 for trading in their cars for more fuel efficient models, has run out of the originally allotted $1 Billion, which was originally anticipated to last up until Nov. 1st or until the money ran out. Now that the program is out of money, much quicker than expected, the question of whether to extend it looms.

The program has proven successful in boosting auto sales. Ford has posted sales increases of 2.4 percent from last July, its first year to year increase since 2007. Other automakers have claimed sales increases as well, including Chrysler and GM. It would appear that the $1 Billion dollar program has proven itself more successful for the recovery of the auto industry than the tens of billions of dollars spent on the auto bailouts and we didn't even have to take over any companies.

The question of the program's future is not so much one of its immediate success, but a matter of cost and its long term success. Senator McConnell (R-Kentucky), the GOP leader, was quoted as saying, "It ran out of money in a week, prompting the House to rush a $2 billion extension before anybody even had time to figure out what happened to the first billion." While the program has had great success, the argument to wait and see its long term results is not necessarily a bad idea. While the boost in auto sales has been tremendously beneficial to the auto industry, what does this mean for the banks responsible for all of the loans being given for the purchase of new cars? Perhaps it would be wise to wait and see how the massive amount of car purchases affects the nation's economy outside of the auto industry. I'm sure you will all recall the reverberating effects of the housing crisis and its impact on the nation's economy.

There is no clear answer as to if the program should be extended or not and whether it would be wiser to wait or to act quickly, as it would appear the Obama administration would like to see done..... with yet another piece of legislation. I guess we will all have to wait and see what the Senate decides before the week is out.

Sources:

NY Post - 8/3/09

NY Times - 8/3/09