Retrospect and Prospect.
2008 comes to an end and 2009 with all its' uncertainties and unknowns lies ahead.
Looking back over 2008...it was a marathon political year.
Brack Obama won the Presidency. In 2009 and beyond, he must govern wisely because our very survival as a nation, and our individual and collective survivals are on the line.
I wish Barack Obama well, and will support him, as long as he charts the
proper course to help America and us survive the fateful days ahead.
I did my part, to chart a new course for Congress, by participating in the
September Democratic primary to succeed retiring Mike McNulty.
Paul Tonko won that seat. Now, like Barack Obama, Paul must leave the boilerplate rhetoric behind, and wean himself from the grip of special
interests and unions, and do what is best for his constituents in the 21st
CD and for America as a whole.
Paul must put America before political party. I wish him well and stand
ready to assist him in any way I can.
My blog contains a complete record of my campaign platform, and positions that I took regarding the priority issues facing our region,
state and nation.
Paul would do well to study it closely, and to advocate some of those
positions, including, but not limited to, (1) promoting emergency/disaster
preparedness at home, (2) abandoning the plan to dredge PCB's from the
Upper Hudson watershed, and reallocating the 500 million dollars to
rebuilding the aging water/sewer infrastructure of Troy, Albany, Cohoes
Watervliet, Stillwater and other watershed communities; (3) Restoring the Erie Canal-Mohawk-Hudson Waterway as a major routeway for shipment of freight, under an authority independent of the NYS Thruway; (4) rebuilding and expanding our regional rail system
including light rail to connect urban places with suburbs and rural areas
to move both freight and passengers; (5) restoring Watervliet arsenal as
a major weapons manufacturing facility, vital to our national defense.
Looking ahead, my focus will be local in 2009. My intent is to put into practice my beliefs and positions in the neighborhood and City of Albany.
Nonetheless, I will keep an eye on the state and national scene as well.
Hopefully, I will make my garden more productive than ever; and take better care of my pals Mick and Paddy. They need more exercise, as do I.
A happy, healthy and safe 2009 to all.
Joe Sullivan
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
McNULTY FOR U S SENATE
Joseph P Sullivan, of Albany, and candidate for Congress in
the 2008 Democratic Primary, said today, that retiring
Congressman Mike McNulty should be Governor Paterson's
pick to fill the U S Senate seat from New York, being vacated
by Hillary Clinton.
McNulty has 20 years experience in Washington. He knows
Congress and the issues confronting New York and America
at this critical time in our history.
This is no time for on the job training. McNulty is from
Upstate New York and well qualified to be an advocate for
the interests of Upstate, as well as represent all the people
of New York State.
Caroline Kennedy? Her recent interviews reveal that she is
no JFK. You know. Caroline lacks the command of the language
and knowledge of the issues to effectively assume the role of
U S Senator at this critical time.
Mike McNulty could immediately assume the duties of U S
Senator from New York.
Two years from now, 2010, he could either run for election
to that seat or pass the torch to another.
Caroline Kennedy could work for McNulty, gaining the
necessary experience, knowledge, and focus, as well as
command of English to run for that seat in 2010.
No doubt, her name and connections in Washington, would
make her a very effective asset to Senator McNulty.
Go for it Governor!
Mike, your state and country need you. You can do it!
Caroline, rise to the challenge made by JFK.
"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what
you can do for your country".
Joe Sullivan
Joseph P Sullivan, of Albany, and candidate for Congress in
the 2008 Democratic Primary, said today, that retiring
Congressman Mike McNulty should be Governor Paterson's
pick to fill the U S Senate seat from New York, being vacated
by Hillary Clinton.
McNulty has 20 years experience in Washington. He knows
Congress and the issues confronting New York and America
at this critical time in our history.
This is no time for on the job training. McNulty is from
Upstate New York and well qualified to be an advocate for
the interests of Upstate, as well as represent all the people
of New York State.
Caroline Kennedy? Her recent interviews reveal that she is
no JFK. You know. Caroline lacks the command of the language
and knowledge of the issues to effectively assume the role of
U S Senator at this critical time.
Mike McNulty could immediately assume the duties of U S
Senator from New York.
Two years from now, 2010, he could either run for election
to that seat or pass the torch to another.
Caroline Kennedy could work for McNulty, gaining the
necessary experience, knowledge, and focus, as well as
command of English to run for that seat in 2010.
No doubt, her name and connections in Washington, would
make her a very effective asset to Senator McNulty.
Go for it Governor!
Mike, your state and country need you. You can do it!
Caroline, rise to the challenge made by JFK.
"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what
you can do for your country".
Happy, healthy, safe 2009 to America and to all.
Joe Sullivan
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thank you to Sherman and John WROW 590 AM Afternoon Drive
radio show for having me as a guest during the 4 pm hour Friday
December 19, 2008.
It was an enjoyable experience. Check out their show, and others
on www.wrow.com
Their focus is local and they have a great Storm Tracker link which
contains weather and emergency contacts. Check it out!
Joe Sullivan
radio show for having me as a guest during the 4 pm hour Friday
December 19, 2008.
It was an enjoyable experience. Check out their show, and others
on www.wrow.com
Their focus is local and they have a great Storm Tracker link which
contains weather and emergency contacts. Check it out!
Joe Sullivan
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Can this poll be accurate?
Media reports tell us a poll shows 78 percent
of New Yorkers favor taxing the rich more as
opposed an obesity tax on non diet soft drinks?
If this poll result is accurate; it is exhibit A
why the Founding Fathers adopted a Republican
form of government rather than a pure Democracy.
They feared that the masses could not, or would
not, exercise sound judgment.
Tax the rich more and they leave the state.
Then, who is left to tax? To be the economic engine
of the state? The growing welfare constituency?
This poll result, if true, is further argument against
abolishing the electoral college.
A uninformed, irrational popular vote is a danger
to the survival of America.
Joe Sullivan
Media reports tell us a poll shows 78 percent
of New Yorkers favor taxing the rich more as
opposed an obesity tax on non diet soft drinks?
If this poll result is accurate; it is exhibit A
why the Founding Fathers adopted a Republican
form of government rather than a pure Democracy.
They feared that the masses could not, or would
not, exercise sound judgment.
Tax the rich more and they leave the state.
Then, who is left to tax? To be the economic engine
of the state? The growing welfare constituency?
This poll result, if true, is further argument against
abolishing the electoral college.
A uninformed, irrational popular vote is a danger
to the survival of America.
Joe Sullivan
Whatever happened to the Monroe Doctrine?
U S to European powers (and now Asia, South Asia
and Radical Islamists):
HANDS OFF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE?
A new Soviet missle crisis is unfolding while America worries
about the economic crisis, and Americans are at the mall
doing their Christmas shopping.
Venezuela's tin horn dictator Chavez, wants the U S
destroyed. So do the radical Islamists.
Iran is allying with Chavez. So, to Russia. Russian warships
capable of launching missles at US and Canadian cities
are in Latin American
waters.
Russia and Venezuela are suffering from the decline of
oil revenues and both are on the verge of collapse.
They are desperate.
But, beware, a beheaded rattlesnake still has the
venom to strike and kill you.
U S to European powers (and now Asia, South Asia
and Radical Islamists):
HANDS OFF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE?
A new Soviet missle crisis is unfolding while America worries
about the economic crisis, and Americans are at the mall
doing their Christmas shopping.
Venezuela's tin horn dictator Chavez, wants the U S
destroyed. So do the radical Islamists.
Iran is allying with Chavez. So, to Russia. Russian warships
capable of launching missles at US and Canadian cities
are in Latin American
waters.
Russia and Venezuela are suffering from the decline of
oil revenues and both are on the verge of collapse.
They are desperate.
But, beware, a beheaded rattlesnake still has the
venom to strike and kill you.
With all likelihood Iran and Russia, now allies, are setting
up similar missle capability in Venezuela.
China has the Panama Canal and is preparing to suck the
Gulf of Mexico offshore oil dry. Mexico and China have
become pals.
Meanwhile, our federal government is in transition...a very
dangerous time for us. Who is really in charge? Anybody?
What, if anything, is being done to counter what is
underway here?
Where are the likes of Washington, Adams, Jefferson
Monroe, Madison, John Paul Jones, Commodore Barry
Jackson, Black Jack Pershing, Patton and MacArthur
when we need them?
Joe Sullivan
Check out US Death Risk Map: Natural Disasters
http://news.aol.com/article/us-death-map-shows-how-nature-kills/280061?icid=200100397x1215663275x1200973583
http://news.aol.com/article/us-death-map-shows-how-nature-kills/280061?icid=200100397x1215663275x1200973583
A BIT OF THIS AND A BIT OF THAT
Emergency/Disaster Preparedness.
Albany was lucky this time.
Next time?
No neighborhood churches, schools, synagogues
were available to provide shelter, heat, food, water
to those without power.
Maybe it has occurred to people that we are, in fact
on our own, and must save ourselves?
First line of defense is for individuals and households to
make sure they are as prepared as possible for whatever
happens next.
Then push your neighborhood churches, synagogues
and schools to get ready.
Imagine if the whole NE power grid is taken out in the
winter with a major snow or ice storm and subzero
temperatures , that the grid goes down with little prospect
that power will be restored for weeks or months.
You can bet your boots that this scenario is on the minds
of those who hate us and seek to destroy us.
Hunting season begins again. Beware of all those
armed individuals in camouflage.
Are they all our guys? Who are the hunters? Who or what
is their quarry? How safe are our power lines and plants
natural gas and reservoir and water lines?
Our transporation infrastructure?
The Governor's budget proposals.
(1) 30 percent increase in welfare benefits? Wrong
MOVE! Now is opportunity to wean lifers off welfare system.
A great time to reform the system. Limit one child on welfare.
No benefits for unwed teens. They must live with momma
who is responsible for them. No apartments of their own.
No free college tuition and other perks to reward bad behavior.
NO welfare benefits for illegal aliens.
Return to doling out surplus agricultural products, instead of
food stamps.
End foster parent scam where grandmommas gets paid for
"watching" children of their children.
End crazy money scam where the more damaged, unruly
children, an unwed mother has, the more she is rewarded.
(To the tune of $500 , an head monthly)
Do the math 6 x 500 is 3,000 dollars a month
over and above basic welfare allowance, HEAP
housing allowance and free medical care (medicaid)
food pantries, school breakfasts and lunches, etc, etc.
Doesn't anyone work for food here?
The entire welfare system needs overhaul, because
it only rewards , and promotes, bad behaviors that
society can no longer condone.
With the economic crisis, expect more people to be
applying for welfare and social service benefits.
What will this cost? Who will pay for it?
The STAR Program? Tread carefully here.
Homeowners must have real property tax relief.
In Albany, only about one-third of homes are owner
occupied. Most of those homes are occupied by seniors
who have no children in school, and who are on lower
rebate.
Do not enact the phoney school property tax plan which
will allow school districts to raise taxes 4 to 7 percent
annually.
Real relief
must include: (1) abolition of city school districts, merging
them with city governments
(2) making city government officials responsible and
accountable for city schools.
(3) abolition of TWO competing property tax rolls; creating
ONE property tax roll.
(4) returning to K-8 neighborhood schools which are best
for kids, parents and neighborhoods. The Governor must
act on this because the state legislators lack the will and
courage to sponsor the legislation to achieve these real
educational reforms.
Camp McGregor. Don't close it. Convert it to a boot camp
boarding school for unruly hard cases from tri city urban schools.
Staff it with returning GI drill instructors. This will provide
needed male role models for boys who lack a fathers in their
households, and it will provide for a safe school environment
conducive to learning by those who want to learn.
Illegal Aliens. End the sanctuary status of NYC and NYS.
No jobs, no benefits of any kind to reward illegals. Our own
citizens will now be willing and able to take any kinds of jobs
just to survive in hard times.
Obesity tax on non diet soda? Come on Gov, why not cut
to the chase and enact a fat tax? Hurry, as food gets scarce
and people have to walk to school and work, the obesity problem
will disappear, and so will this source of revenue.
Caroline Kennedy for U S Senator from New York.
Appoint Caroline .
She has the heritage of her father and uncles Joe and Robert, to
uphold. New York and the Nation owe her the opportunity to
sound JFK's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you;
ask what you can do for your country".
Andrew Cuomo is doing just fine as Attorney General. New York
needs him there. He has more clout here than he would being a
freshman senator in the back of the chamber.
Joe Sullivan
Emergency/Disaster Preparedness.
Albany was lucky this time.
Next time?
No neighborhood churches, schools, synagogues
were available to provide shelter, heat, food, water
to those without power.
Maybe it has occurred to people that we are, in fact
on our own, and must save ourselves?
First line of defense is for individuals and households to
make sure they are as prepared as possible for whatever
happens next.
Then push your neighborhood churches, synagogues
and schools to get ready.
Imagine if the whole NE power grid is taken out in the
winter with a major snow or ice storm and subzero
temperatures , that the grid goes down with little prospect
that power will be restored for weeks or months.
You can bet your boots that this scenario is on the minds
of those who hate us and seek to destroy us.
Hunting season begins again. Beware of all those
armed individuals in camouflage.
Are they all our guys? Who are the hunters? Who or what
is their quarry? How safe are our power lines and plants
natural gas and reservoir and water lines?
Our transporation infrastructure?
The Governor's budget proposals.
(1) 30 percent increase in welfare benefits? Wrong
MOVE! Now is opportunity to wean lifers off welfare system.
A great time to reform the system. Limit one child on welfare.
No benefits for unwed teens. They must live with momma
who is responsible for them. No apartments of their own.
No free college tuition and other perks to reward bad behavior.
NO welfare benefits for illegal aliens.
Return to doling out surplus agricultural products, instead of
food stamps.
End foster parent scam where grandmommas gets paid for
"watching" children of their children.
End crazy money scam where the more damaged, unruly
children, an unwed mother has, the more she is rewarded.
(To the tune of $500 , an head monthly)
Do the math 6 x 500 is 3,000 dollars a month
over and above basic welfare allowance, HEAP
housing allowance and free medical care (medicaid)
food pantries, school breakfasts and lunches, etc, etc.
Doesn't anyone work for food here?
The entire welfare system needs overhaul, because
it only rewards , and promotes, bad behaviors that
society can no longer condone.
With the economic crisis, expect more people to be
applying for welfare and social service benefits.
What will this cost? Who will pay for it?
The STAR Program? Tread carefully here.
Homeowners must have real property tax relief.
In Albany, only about one-third of homes are owner
occupied. Most of those homes are occupied by seniors
who have no children in school, and who are on lower
rebate.
Do not enact the phoney school property tax plan which
will allow school districts to raise taxes 4 to 7 percent
annually.
Real relief
must include: (1) abolition of city school districts, merging
them with city governments
(2) making city government officials responsible and
accountable for city schools.
(3) abolition of TWO competing property tax rolls; creating
ONE property tax roll.
(4) returning to K-8 neighborhood schools which are best
for kids, parents and neighborhoods. The Governor must
act on this because the state legislators lack the will and
courage to sponsor the legislation to achieve these real
educational reforms.
Camp McGregor. Don't close it. Convert it to a boot camp
boarding school for unruly hard cases from tri city urban schools.
Staff it with returning GI drill instructors. This will provide
needed male role models for boys who lack a fathers in their
households, and it will provide for a safe school environment
conducive to learning by those who want to learn.
Illegal Aliens. End the sanctuary status of NYC and NYS.
No jobs, no benefits of any kind to reward illegals. Our own
citizens will now be willing and able to take any kinds of jobs
just to survive in hard times.
Obesity tax on non diet soda? Come on Gov, why not cut
to the chase and enact a fat tax? Hurry, as food gets scarce
and people have to walk to school and work, the obesity problem
will disappear, and so will this source of revenue.
Caroline Kennedy for U S Senator from New York.
Appoint Caroline .
She has the heritage of her father and uncles Joe and Robert, to
uphold. New York and the Nation owe her the opportunity to
sound JFK's call: "Ask not what your country can do for you;
ask what you can do for your country".
Andrew Cuomo is doing just fine as Attorney General. New York
needs him there. He has more clout here than he would being a
freshman senator in the back of the chamber.
Joe Sullivan
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
AROUND THE HOOD
White Death Returns. Road salt season has begun. Main roads
like New Scotland Ave, Buckingham Dr, Krum Kill Rd-Bender La
once again have had excessive amounts of road salt dumped on
them. The powdery residue was whipped about by high winds
today.
However, Berkshire Blv and side streets tributary to Buckingham
Pond Park are relatively free of excessive road salt residue. May
be the City is saving money ? Smart move.
Cutting back dramatically on the amount of road salt dumped on
local streets has more benefits, in addition to saving money for the
City and taxpayers. Less salt, does less damage to road surfaces
building exteriors, street trees , as well as to our expensive tires
and vehicles. Less road salt means cleaner air and less respiratory
distress and other health problems resulting from the road salt
laden smog that hangs over Albany in winter and early spring.
The State could save tons of money by dumping less road salt on
state roads. Exhibit A are the perimeter roads around the Harriman
Campus.
The same goes for parkings lots of local medical facilities and
colleges.
Sand is a viable, less harmful alternative. Of course, drivers must
wise up and slow down when snow and ice conditions exist. Also
when heavy rains inundate local streets.
Neighborhood News. This website replaces the door to door
delivery of newsletters that occurred during the past 20 years of
this Association. Pass the word to your neighbors. If they do not
have computers, print them copies of relevant on-line entries from
this website, or verbally relay information by phone.
Neighborhood Watch. All residents are part of our neighborhood
watch. Keep an eye on what goes on day and night on your block
and neighborhood streets. Stonehenge apartment dwellers and
homeowners around the perimeter of Buckingham Pond Park can
keep watch over the park.
Dog walkers, strollers, joggers and drivers should have their cell
phones, with them, at all times, to make police, emergency or
fire calls. (911) Have cell phones set to following numbers.
Call the Albany Police Center Station 458 5660 when necessary.
As a courtesy let me know also, by phone: 438 5230.
The state anti-terror hotline number is:
1 866 SAFE NYS (723 3697)
Buckingham Pond Park The tree that was knocked down and
pushed to the side of the Milner Ave path has been removed.
Walking around the pond, tonight, the lights reflected off the
newly formed ice. It was possible to see the outlines of
numerous small deltas formed by shoreline erosion and
slumping along the Northern and eastern shores of the pond.
Notice that the guard rails are leaning toward the pond. This
is further evidence of soil creep and slumping that is taking
place.
JPS
White Death Returns. Road salt season has begun. Main roads
like New Scotland Ave, Buckingham Dr, Krum Kill Rd-Bender La
once again have had excessive amounts of road salt dumped on
them. The powdery residue was whipped about by high winds
today.
However, Berkshire Blv and side streets tributary to Buckingham
Pond Park are relatively free of excessive road salt residue. May
be the City is saving money ? Smart move.
Cutting back dramatically on the amount of road salt dumped on
local streets has more benefits, in addition to saving money for the
City and taxpayers. Less salt, does less damage to road surfaces
building exteriors, street trees , as well as to our expensive tires
and vehicles. Less road salt means cleaner air and less respiratory
distress and other health problems resulting from the road salt
laden smog that hangs over Albany in winter and early spring.
The State could save tons of money by dumping less road salt on
state roads. Exhibit A are the perimeter roads around the Harriman
Campus.
The same goes for parkings lots of local medical facilities and
colleges.
Sand is a viable, less harmful alternative. Of course, drivers must
wise up and slow down when snow and ice conditions exist. Also
when heavy rains inundate local streets.
Neighborhood News. This website replaces the door to door
delivery of newsletters that occurred during the past 20 years of
this Association. Pass the word to your neighbors. If they do not
have computers, print them copies of relevant on-line entries from
this website, or verbally relay information by phone.
Neighborhood Watch. All residents are part of our neighborhood
watch. Keep an eye on what goes on day and night on your block
and neighborhood streets. Stonehenge apartment dwellers and
homeowners around the perimeter of Buckingham Pond Park can
keep watch over the park.
Dog walkers, strollers, joggers and drivers should have their cell
phones, with them, at all times, to make police, emergency or
fire calls. (911) Have cell phones set to following numbers.
Call the Albany Police Center Station 458 5660 when necessary.
As a courtesy let me know also, by phone: 438 5230.
The state anti-terror hotline number is:
1 866 SAFE NYS (723 3697)
Buckingham Pond Park The tree that was knocked down and
pushed to the side of the Milner Ave path has been removed.
Walking around the pond, tonight, the lights reflected off the
newly formed ice. It was possible to see the outlines of
numerous small deltas formed by shoreline erosion and
slumping along the Northern and eastern shores of the pond.
Notice that the guard rails are leaning toward the pond. This
is further evidence of soil creep and slumping that is taking
place.
JPS
Thursday, December 4, 2008
CAMPAIGN 2008 REFLECTIONS
The campaigns are over. Congratulations to the winners.
They have a solemn responsibility to put America before
party when governing. Our fate is in their hands.
My sincere thanks to those who helped me qualify for
the ballot as a candidate for Congress 21st District, and
to those who voted for me.
Those votes were, in fact, not for me, but, what I stood
for. The record of my campaign will remain in the archives
of this blog. Future events will bear testimony that I was
on the right track with my campaign priorities and positions.
Review my positions on the role of the next president,
national security, emergency/disaster preparedness
restoring the Erie Canal-Hudson River waterway and
rebuilding our railroad infrastructure, scrapping plans to
dredge Hudson River PCB's, reallocating those funds to
restoring/improving the aging water/sewer systems of
Albany, Troy and other local communities, and restablishing
the Watervliet arsenal's role as a major weapons manufacturer.
As the late, great Tip O'Neill once said: "all politics are local".
So, it is with survival and emergency/disaster preparedness
in a time of renewed Islamic Jihadism.
The Albany City elections of 2009 will be vital to our survival
to local emergency/disaster preparedness, to personal and
neighborhood security, to property taxes, to neighborhood
schools and to the maintenance/improvement of our
neighborhood and city quality of life.
This site will focus on City issues in 2009, but from time to
time, will comment on state and national conditions/events
when necessary.
Check it out, along with our neighborhood site, from time
to time. http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Joe Sullivan
The campaigns are over. Congratulations to the winners.
They have a solemn responsibility to put America before
party when governing. Our fate is in their hands.
My sincere thanks to those who helped me qualify for
the ballot as a candidate for Congress 21st District, and
to those who voted for me.
Those votes were, in fact, not for me, but, what I stood
for. The record of my campaign will remain in the archives
of this blog. Future events will bear testimony that I was
on the right track with my campaign priorities and positions.
Review my positions on the role of the next president,
national security, emergency/disaster preparedness
restoring the Erie Canal-Hudson River waterway and
rebuilding our railroad infrastructure, scrapping plans to
dredge Hudson River PCB's, reallocating those funds to
restoring/improving the aging water/sewer systems of
Albany, Troy and other local communities, and restablishing
the Watervliet arsenal's role as a major weapons manufacturer.
As the late, great Tip O'Neill once said: "all politics are local".
So, it is with survival and emergency/disaster preparedness
in a time of renewed Islamic Jihadism.
The Albany City elections of 2009 will be vital to our survival
to local emergency/disaster preparedness, to personal and
neighborhood security, to property taxes, to neighborhood
schools and to the maintenance/improvement of our
neighborhood and city quality of life.
This site will focus on City issues in 2009, but from time to
time, will comment on state and national conditions/events
when necessary.
Check it out, along with our neighborhood site, from time
to time. http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Joe Sullivan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
