HOOKED. BAIL OUT NEEDED.

It was painful to listen to Governor
Cuomo on today's Fred Dicker radio
show (Talk 1300), as the Governor
blamed the Congressional "super
committee" for it's failure, while
dodging, dancing and weaving
in a vain effort to avoid Fred's
repeated questions as to whether
it is the President who has failed
as leader?

The Governor evaded the question
again and again, protesting that
it was a failure of government.

Fred's questioning was masterful
and relentless. The Governor was
not his usual confident self.

To be fair, Governor Cuomo
knows that he,  New York and
all New Yorkers, would suffer
federal reprisals if he were to
acknowledge President Obama's
complete failure as a leader.

New York is captive to large
amounts of federal aid. The
Governor, had to dance, bob
dodge and weave , like a fish
on the hook, to protect himself
and us.

No, excuse!

The 2012 elections are D Day
for the future of America and
all Americans.  Who will be
brazen (stupid) enough to deny
this?

The challenge before Governor
Cuomo, and all Democrats, is:
do they put party before the
survival of America, our survival
and their own?

The solution?  Democrats have
to deny Obama renomination
if he can not be quietly convinced
to leave office, voluntarily, asap.

Unlike, Michelle, I have always
respected and had pride in
America.

However, I can not respect a
devious, incompetent, bent on
radically transforming
(translated-destroying) America.

Obama is underwater and he is
taking the country, and all of us
down with him.

America faces a political
leadership crisis at every level
of government.

We are taking on water and
sinking.

Politicians, the media and
the voting public are on board
the 21st Century equivalent
of the Titanic, dancing the
night away.

Not an ice berg in sight?
Right?

                   Joe Sullivan

MEMO

Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:23:31 -0500 (EST)


To: Deb Busch RN, Albany County Legislator
      Elect, 39th District  (The Hill Towns)


Subject: Re: Victory Party Invitation




Deb,   Thank you for the invitation


Interesting to observe your choice of speakers.


The speakers and the political parties they represent face
the same challenge in 2012 as do all of us.....survival.


Election 2012 will determine the fate of America and New
York State, as well as these 3 political parties, their county
chairmen and each and every one of us.


The ultimate determination will be made by those who
participate in the political process and those who vote in
the party primaries and general election.


The overriding need is for a large turnout of voters
who cast informed ballots.


In the local 2011 elections voter apathy was the winner in
most cases, except in your own election, and a few others
like Colonie Supervisor and Schenectady Mayor.


In the two latter races only a handful of votes determined
the outcomes.


In 2012 those who have the vote must use it, wisely, or
facing the prospect of losing it, as our state and nation are
radically transformed.


President Obama was elected on a theme of change and a
promise to radically transform America. His policies and
pronouncements have crippled the American economy
divided the nation, failed to secure our borders and
undermined America's security and status in world affairs.
Obama has circumvented the Constitution and Congress.
He has not lived up to his oath of office.


In New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo has
presented himself as a fiscal Conservative, while pleasing
the more liberal factions of the Democratic Party.


Recently, on the Fred Dicker show, Governor Cuomo
declared " I am the government".


Keep in mind that the Governor has tried to usurp the 
Constitutional role of the state legislature in redistricting
by means of an appointed  "nonpartisan commission"
where the Governor makes a majority of the appointments.
Hardly, nonpartisan.


2012 presents him, and all Democrats, with a defining moment...
do they put party before New York, America and the people?




New York is a blue state. The best that the Republican
Conservative and Independence parties can do is select  the
best , and same, U S Senate and congressional candidates who
can wage vigorous federal campaigns.


The rest of America will determine who the Presidential and
Vice Presidential nominees are. Our New York April Presidential
Primary will provide some interest and a training ground for
congressional and state candidates.




The present GOP contenders all leave something to be desired.
Keep in mind that- anybody but Obama- must be our ultimate
choice.
Hopefully, the rest of America will make the best possible selection.




In New York, given the reality of a large, left oriented politically
dependent electorate we will be fighting what amounts to a rear
guard action.


The congessional primaries will be set sometime betweeen
June and August.
The state office primaries are likely to remain in September.
By that time state elections will be eclipsed by the Presidential
and Congressional races.


Expect that the 2012 state political calendar will be set to benefit
the Governor and Assembly.


Here in Albany County the task is to join together to pick the
best possible candidates for State Senate, Assembly and
Albany County District Attorney.
In most cases this means presenting challengers to incumbents.


Divisive , expensive primaries should be avoided.
United we stand, divided we fall.


Selections must be decided early. Time is of the essence.
The old political calendar can not be followed. Nor, can the
calendar controlled by the Democrats be strictly adhered to.


The candidates must have a clear understanding of the
significance of election 2012, a clear message and work to
inform , educate and motivate voters.


The political parties can provide support and help get out the vote.


But, in the end, it is up to the voters to make the best, informed choices.


Congratulations Deb on your election as  Albany County Legislator
39th District.


You earned it!




You are now a key player in theAlbany County Legislature and election 2012.






                                                                            Joe Sullivan

THE FAMILY TREE

It has been said that the nut does not
fall far from the tree.

This morning I rose very early to
prepare some barley pancake batter
and bran muffins for breakfest.

This allowed me to be close to Mick
and Paddy and keep an eye on them.
They had their rabies shots yesterday.
Being canine senior citizens,  they
require close observation for any side
effects of the vaccine.

Gave them some buttermilk. They
were content to have me nearby in
the kitchen where they have slept
since they were pups.

I reflected on my good fortune
of having barley, wheat bran, whole
wheat flour, molasses, yeast, buttermilk
honey, fresh eggs, raisins, running water,
electric for the oven and a refrigerator.
All gifts from God and not to be taken
for granted.  There were times when
we didn't have these things. Those times
may come again.

I took time out for a cup of Punjana Irish
Tea, manufactured in Belfast by the
Thompson family. Yes, Barry's Tea from
Cork is excellent too, but the former is
more readily available, at a good price
in the Christmas Tree shop. A bit of
honey, ginger and whole milk to top it
off and I was refreshed.

As I reflected on my good fortune at
having all these things. I looked forward
to the bacon and eggs that would go
with the barley pancakes, maple syrup
and bran muffins. The butter, too. Of
course, more tea. It gives strength, as
Cousin Sister Mary Bernadette ( Una
Harrington) of Mercy convent, Bantry
and Killaugh Townland, would often
say.

As I worked, my mind drifted to thoughts
of my relations. Over the generations
they were farmers, fisherman, sailors
sea captains, mercenaries, soldiers, miners
policeman, saloon keepers, longshoremen
blacksmiths, stone masons, teamsters, union
men, domestic servants, slaves and indentured
servants, outlaws, politicians, scholars, nuns
historians and a poet or two, and a baker.

A common thread that runs through the
whole lot is a fierce independent streak
and a rebel spirit.

So, by now, you can guess, that if God
gives me life, in 2012...you know what I
will be up to.

It is in the genes!

I will be doing my part.

Remember. Government can't save us.
We must save ourselves, our government
and America.

Now, you do yours.

                                        Joe Sullivan

                                        

CAMPAIGN 2011.
WATER OVER THE DAM.
PRELUDE TO 2012

I had a good time. Worked hard. Up and out
at 4 am most mornings. Walking door to door
and street to street delivering my message. Put
me in fine fighting form...185 lbs...same as
John L.

Richie Stack,  Albany County Conservative
Party ,provided me with lawn signs
printing of literature, mailings and phone
calls. For these, I thank him.

Paddy and Mick were always in my corner.

Yet, in the end, voter apathy prevailed.
Turnout was very low. Less than 30 percent.

My voters came out without me having a
pull operation or have stooges lurking
about the polling places electioneering.

Jack  "Bullhorn" McEneney, Joe Igoe
Dick Adair and his 14th Ward gang
Frank Commisso and others from
adjacent wards, with no contests, pulled
out the partyline Lemming vote, which
is down to an all time low of about 1,200
to save Gary D's seat for Gary or his
appointed replacement.

To see the above local draft dodgers and
socialists, including Congressman Tonko
marching at the head of the Albany
Veteran's Day parade was a sight to make
one want to puke.

What is past, is now history.

Onto campaign 2012, the main round
where the survival of America, and
each and every American, is on the line.

Offices up for election include:
President, Vice-President, U.S. Senate
Congress  at the federal level and
State Senate and Assembly in New York.

Never, was it more important for voters
to go to the polls and cast informed votes.

If they do not, they may never get the
chance to do so again.

                                        Joe Sullivan

FOR COUNTY LEGISLATOR
DISTRICT 10   November 8, 2011

Read my announcement and a clear
statement of what I have done, said
and will do.

Sunday, July 24, 2011


Riding The Campaign Trail go to:
http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/

and/or click on :

http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/2011/07/riding-campaign-trail-campaign-trail-is.html


Joe Sullivan

COMMANDER IN CHIEF, NOT.
LEMMINGS, YES?

Afghanistan is the military graveyard
of empires, from Alexander The Great
down to our own time.

For ten years the U S has been involved
in a military action there.

The rationale was that after the 9-11
attack by Jihadists, we were going to
deny them a training camp base.

The bitter irony is that they have a
safe haven in neighboring Pakistan
and worse still, Jihadists have come
to our land, legally and illegally, and
have established terror recruitment
bases all over the USA, recruiting
native born malcontents to join their
ranks, to plot and train for the day
that they will strike.

They have safe havens in the USA
because the erstwhile Commander
in Chief, and his inept administration
have failed to secure our borders and
ports; and because states, cities and
local governments, offer political
sanctuary to the tens of millions of
illegals who have invaded our land
among them, many foreign terrorists.

Time to bring the troops home, secure
the Mexican border and prepare to
defend the homeland from attack
from within and without.

Failure to review, revise and police
legal immigration policies and practices
including "student" visas, "green cards"
and the like allows Jihadists to legally
enter the USA.

New York State and  City and the
majority of local political jurisdictions
therein, are exhibit A. Politically
correct to the point that all New
Yorkers are in grave danger.

Afghanistan is not a nation, it is a
tribal region.

We delude ourselves to think that
we can buy their allegiance.

Afghans have historically played
one foreign intruder against another.

There are never any winners in this
forelorn land, including the natives
themselves.

Our would be Commander in Chief
has announced a gradual withdrawl
of our military from Afghanistan.

Our foes know this and are stepping
up actions against our military to
inflict as many casualties on us as
they can.

The Afghan tribesmen know that
their survival depends on duplicity
and double dealing with the U S
Taliban and Al Qaida.

It is a major tactical mistake to
operate on the premise that we
can use a greatly drawn down
military cadre to train Afghan
police and military to defend
themselves and their land from
the Taliban and Al Qaida.

We squander the lives of our valiant
military and waste billions of dollars
at a time when we face economic
collapse at home.

All for what?

The Middle East will soon go on fire.
Pakistan will fall , cutting off vital
supply lines to our troops in a land
of cruel winter, leaving them to face
the same fate as the British army in
Afghanistan in the First Anglo-Afghan
War.

Iran will overrun Iraq and the oil
fields of the Middle East, denying
the U S the lifeblood of oil ensuring
economic collapse.

The  Jihadist sleepers, both illegal
and legal, now in our land ,will 
spring into action, along with their
allies of flash mobs of native born
domestic, antisocial malcontents.

Not only do we have an inept
Commander In Chief, but we have
and elected Congress , and a
complicit media ,which is enabling
him to destroy America.

Government can't save us. We must
save ourselves, the government and
America.

When we fail to study history and
fail to see the peril of blind partyline
adherence to smooth talking
incompetent, politically correct
"leaders", we doom our Nation
and ourselves.

Consider the reflections of  one
of the few survivors regarding the
outcome of the First Anglo-Afghan
War in the 19th Century.

Keep in mind that, at that time
the British homeland did not face
the grave internal peril that Britain
Europe, America and all Americans
now face at home.

In 1843, the British army chaplain Rev G.H. Gleig wrote a memoir of the disastrous (First) Anglo-Afghan War, of which he was one of the very few survivors. He wrote that it was "a war begun for no wise purpose, carried on with a strange mixture of rashness and timidity, brought to a close after suffering and disaster, without much glory attached either to the government which directed, or the great body of troops which waged it. Not one benefit, political or military, was acquired with this war. Our eventual evacuation of the country resembled the retreat of an army defeated”. [10]

Read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Anglo-Afghan_War



                                                           Joe Sullivan

FIRE IN THE HOLE.
GHOSTS OF THE MOLLY'S

August has come and gone again. Labor Day
is upon us.

My thoughts go back to my grandfather
Michael Joseph (O) Sullivan of Inchinteskin
Townland, Eyeries Parish, Beara  West Cork
grandmother Julia Harrington of the Allihies
Parish, her father, my great grandfather Sean
Harrington A Buiale  (Sean of the Field) in
Kilcatherine, and the thousands of other
relations from  Beara, who made the great
journey across the Atlantic to the miner's
frontier of the American West, to California
in 49, the Washoe and Virginia City  in 50
after that to the mining camps of the Montana
Idaho, Utah, the Yukon and the Southwest.

Grandfather Mike was a very tall man. A
hammer and drill miner in Butte, Montana
Cripple Creek, Colorado and the Nevada gold
rush camps of Goldfield, Tonopah and Rhyolite
where he met his untimely end at age 34 years
Mike was a union organizer for the Western
Federation of Miners and in the thick of the
labor wars in Cripple Creek and later Nevada.
I have his mine union ribbon,
WFof M 235 Rhyolite, Nevada.

http://www.kued.org/productions/fire/read_more/index.html


Earlier generations from Beara had gone to
mine coal in Wales, then the Upper Peninisula
Michigan to mine copper, to Galena, Illinois
to mine lead and to mine coal in Pennsylvania.

When I hear the song -  Ghosts of the Molly
Maguires,-  I think of all my ancestors who
went down in the mines. Hardy men, they were.

http://www.sunflower.com/~caitlin/Molly.htm

I have found their graves  in Butte and other
Western mining camps and on still nights, in
the clear, quiet mountain air, heard the whispers
of the men below.

I will lift a pint or two in their memory.

They came to America to make a better life
for themselves, their families and us all. Not
to destroy America, as many contemporary
arrivals, illegal and legal, seek to do.

More often than not, they endured hard labor
severe hardships and met early deaths. Despite
this, they found fleeting moments of happiness.

My father told me about the funeral races
to St Patrick's Cemetery, Butte. One day he
was riding with Black Jim, his uncle and
brother to my grandfather Mike. Black Jim
ran a saloon on the Anaconda Road, Dublin
Gulch. Grandmother Julia, then a widow, ran
a boarding house for Irish miners a few doors
away.

Black Jim , and others were in a mad dash
to the graveyard. His horse threw a shoe
which nearly hit my father in the head.

The wagon careened out of control, the
coffin tossed out , the departed ejected
therefrom.

Not to worry. They were at our relations
place- the Five Mile Saloon.

They dusted off the departed, put him back
in the box, stood it agae the wall, and went
in for a some music, song and a few pints
and shots.

What else could men do, who, daily,  faced the
prospect of an early death and the fire below?

Grandmother Julia brought the family back
to Beara in 1913, because she felt that Butte
was no place to raise her surviving 3 sons and
a daughter.

My father was sent to the old place in
Inchinteskin, to, along with Pats Cohu, work
the farm for their grandparents Sean O Sullivan
Mihicl Anna and Johanna O'Sullivan Shearhig
from Coulagh Ard (The High Field above).

My father said that though the work was hard
those were the best days of his life, growing up
in where the clean mountain air of Beara mingles
with the  Westerly winds, mists and gales blowing
in off the Atlantic.

Another summer is on the wane. The days grow
shorter and the cold winds of winter will soon
arrive.


                                                          Joe Sullivan

TAKE WARNING. PREPARE.

Prudent observers will take warning from
the recent earth quake and Hurricane Irene.

The quake did not cause much visible damage
but may have weakened many buildings and
transportation infrastructure.

Indian Point nuclear plants sit atop the Ramapo
fault line. Despite the pr ads, shut down is the
prudent thing to do.

More than 20 million people live in the shadow
of these twin plants. Safe, clean power? Hardly.

Better to conserve and import more Quebec
hydro power rather than risk a natural or
man made (terrorist) disaster for Metro NY/NJ
and the Hudson Valley.

Condolences  at the loss of lives and property
from Hurricane Irene, which was downgraded
to a tropical storm by the time it reached NY.

Flooding losses were huge. Many went without
power for days.

Imagine a sustained loss of the power grid and
or utilities in our Northeast winter.

Imagine the disaster had it been a category 4
or 5 hurricane. Still a couple of months to go
in hurricane season.

The lesson of these two events is clear. We
must be be prepared for natural disasters
....and man made disasters, in particular
acts of terrorisr, by the foreign Jihadists
and their domestic recruits, who are plotting
unimaginable acts, seeking to destroy America
and all Americans.

Our borders and ports are wide open. Millions
of illegals have overrun our land, among them
the Jihadists,

They dwell amomg us, plotting and planning
our demise.

Failure of the federal government to secure
our borders and ports. Failure of states,and
local communities, to end sanctuary status
for illegal aliens has put our nation and each
of us in harms way.

Warning signs ought to be posted at all polling
places: 

"Warning! Political correctness and
blind partyline voting are hazardous to your
health".

The man made disaster that waits us, dwarfs
any natural disaster.

Of course, the two may coincide one day
creating the mother of all disasters.

In that case the lights will be out for a long
long time.

Better to anticipate what can happen and
prepare as best one can. We are all in a
real life survivor challenge.

This is not a drill.

                                        Joe Sullivan

THEY DWELL AMONGST US

America was attacked on 9 11
by foreign terrorists.

With the 9 11 attack. The Home
Front became the front line in
war of survival for America and
all Americans.

President Obama warns of "lone
wolf" terror attacks coming:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/16/obama-lone-wolf-terror_n_928880.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk3%7C87152

Wolves travel and attack in packs.

Foreign terrorists dwell amongst us
and are plotting our demise.

Some have come with the hoardes of
illegal  aliens who have invaded our
land by way of unsecured borders
and ports.

Others have entered legally on
"student" visas and through the
legal immigration process.

They, and their native born offsprings
are a major threat to our security.

In addition, they have recruited
domestic terrorists from among the
ranks of native born, anti-social
malcontents.

Drop your video games, turn off
survivor and American Idol on the telly
and recognize you are in a real life
game of survival.

Contrary to President Obama's claim
we have to anticipate and guard against
both  "lone wolf" attackers and  more
organized  "wolf packs" who seek to
do massive damage to our cities, our
transportation/utility infrastructures
and our food/water supplies.

The spectre of flash mobs in Britain
and American urban places is a sign
of what is to come.

The 10th anniversary of the 9 11
attack , coincides with the end of
Ramadan, and a full moon.

The 2012 election may never happen.

Americans would be wise to be
especially vigilant on the home
front and abroad at this time.

The Middle East may go on fire
as Iran and Israel square off.
Should Pakistan fall, the supply
line to our troops in Afghanistan
would be cut, and they would
suffer a winter  fate similar to
that of the British army in the
19th century.

Iran would overrun Iraq and
Saudi Arabia, cutting off the flow
of oil which is the lifeblood of our
economy and way of life.

Do you really feel safe with
Barack Hussain Obama as
Commander In Chief, Hillary
Clinton as Secretary of State
and Leon Panetta as Secretary
of Defense?

We have no Patton to lead us!

America and Americans are
truly in a struggle for suvival.

Hopefully, our military leaders
recognize this and have a plan B
ready. State and local law
enforcement too.

On the home front state and
local governments should anticipate
what terror targets exist and take
immediate steps to protect those
targets from attack.

Ordinary citizens should store
water, food and emergency supplies
and be prepared to survive whatever
may befall us in the days ahead.
Read Second Amendment.

This includes protecting yourselves
your loved ones and your property
from marauding flash mobs and
"lone wolf",  coyotes and jackels
that are sure to appear after a
major emergency/disaster, whether
it be of natural or man-made origins.

This scare you? It should. Wise up!

Pray that I am wrong. But, what if
I am not? Do you feel lucky?

Better to anticipate and prepare!

Anti-Terror Hotline:

1 866 SAFE NY (723 3697)

APD Center Station  458 5660

B &J Guns 1702 Central Ave.

                                  Joe Sullivan

                              

FLOOD INSURANCE

Heavy rains. Hurricane season.

Flood insurance a good idea for
homeowners.

Go to:

http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/

                                                   Joe Sullivan

HONOR THEM

These fallen warriors died so that we may
live in freedom.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/12/afghanistan-helicopter-navy-seals_n_925078.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C86022

Honor them, their families and all who
serve, or have served, in our military.

Pray for them. Fly your American flag
in their honor, each day that you live.

                                        Joe Sullivan

HUGH CAREY  RIP

Hugh Carey, Soldier, Congressman, Governor
and friend, passed away this morning at his
Shelter Island, NY home.

Thanks for the memories.

                                                Joe Sullivan

                                                  

Riding The Campaign Trail go to:
http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/

                             Joe Sullivan

BRING HOME
THE TROOPS NOW!

Deploy them to the Mexican border.

Give Calderone (Mexico) 30 days
to end illegal aliens sneaking across
our border, to recall all Mexican
nationals who have illegally crossed
the border into the U S, to embargo
transfer of any funds by those aliens
to relatives in Mexico, and end the flow
of drugs to the U S; 

and Chavez(Venezuela)
30 days to dismantle all missle sites
and agreements that threaten the
security of the U S and Canada.

Proclaim the Monroe Doctrine is
renewed and will be strictly enforced.

OR FACE CERTAIN U S ACTION!

Get those drones at the ready in
case these tin horns fail to comply.

We need nothing less than a 
President Patton, not
the incumbent, and not most of the
rival 2012 contenders who have
announced thus far.

National security is the priority
issue, now and in 2012. When we
are not safe, and when we lack
a strong President, expect no
economic recovery. Rather, expect
no economy at all.

                                  Joe Sullivan
                           
                          

LAY IT ASIDE.
GAME OVER.
JUST GO HOME.

The 2011 Legislative session is over.

A sham ethics bill is all that has resulted.

Last minute wrangling over a phoney
tax cap bill that provides no real property
tax relief, failing to include mandate repeals
and failure  to present civil unions of same
sex couples as a legitimate way of offering
them the same benefits (if any) that are
available to traditional marriages between
men and women, are further evidence of
that the State Legislature and Governor
believe that New York voters are stupid.

Next thing our "elected representatives"
will do, is offer New York voters to buy a
number of bridges, tunnels and highways
(which we already own, and have paid for
many times over and over again).

Lay these issues aside, and take them up
in 2012 when all the Members of the State
Legislature and Congress have to stand
for reelection....and something.

Lay it all aside and just go home!

For the remainder of the year. Governor
Cuomo can radically transform state
government, revitalize  the economy
and put people back to work.

He can direct state agencies to rescind
onerous state mandates on education
and businesses, as well as rescinding
countless regulations that get in the
way of economic development and job
creation by the private sector.

                                           Joe Sullivan

LEARN THIS

Education is a lifelong process of learning
the attitudes, knowlege, skills and behaviors
essential to earn a living, be an informed
citizen and to find joy in life.

To Learn, one must want to learn, put forth
the effort and apply that which is learned.

As Mayor Jennings often observes, we need
a new template for education, particularly
urban education.

Race To The Top and No Child Left Behind
are examples of well intended, but misguided
government programs that focus on grades
as measures of learning.

Ask not what your students "got". Ask what
did they learn? Observe their behavior.

The true measure of an educated person is
their behavior.

Alan Chartock (WAMC) had an interesting
guest on this subject today. Unfortunately
Prof Simon had no answer for caller Brian
who asked how can  property taxpayers be
sure they get educational value for the support
they provide for public schools?

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain/article/657/0/1818846/Vox.Pop/Vox.Pop.Hour.1..Student.Evaluation.Methods.in.Education..062211....


The answer lies with property taxpayers
becoming informed and participating in
the educational process at the local level
particularly in school budget and board
elections.

The further answer is to be found in scaling
back the power and control over education
of the NYS and Federal Education Depts.

Lastly, let learners and teachers learn!

The Late, Great Tip O'Neill said that "all
politics are local." 

So, it is with education. All education begins
with parents and the home, cultivating a love
and respect for learning in themselves and
their children.

                                        Joe Sullivan

WHITE DEATH

For years numerous posts about the
"White Death" have appeared on
Lonerangeralbany and bpcnanews.
blogspot.
Consult archives of both websites.

WAMC reports that attention is being
focused on the impacts of excessive
applications of road salt on ecosystems.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain/article/0/2706/1815418/WAMC.News/Conference.Assesses.Use.and.Impacts.of.Road.Salt.on.Ecosystem

Good  news!  

Public health impacts need to be analyzed
too.

Is it possible that, in hard economic times

local and state governments will reduce

their budgets for road salt and seek

alternatives, like drivers slowing down

when road/weather conditions require

and using alternatives like sand?

It is no wonder our transporation

infrastructure, including bridges and

roads, as well as our expensive vehicles

homes and building are corroding away.

Why is the medical community not

studying the adverse effects of excessive

road salt dumping on public health. In

particular breathing air laden with a

mix of vehicle emissions and airborne

road salt?  Persons with high blood

pressure are told to limit their dietary

intake of salt. Should they also stop

breathing?  What about the increase

in asthma and other respiratory conditions

particularly among children?

Where are the NYS Health Dept and

local health care providers, like Albany

Med and St Peter's Hospital on this issue?

                                       Joe Sullivan

ARE YOU READY? A SURVIVOR?

Go to: http://bpcnanews.blogspot.com/

                                         Joe Sullivan

MIKE CONNERS HAS
SOME IDEAS.

Mike read the previous post and called
my attention to two of his, regarding
government finances:

http://blog.timesunion.com/conners/a-few-suggestions-on-how-we-can-live-on-less-taxes/1264/

http://blog.timesunion.com/conners/albany-county-its-10-towns-6-villages-and-3-cities-can-thrive-with-the-2-property-tax-cap/1258/

Read posts and reactions to. May
comment later.

                                        Joe Sullivan

NO JOY IN MUDVILLE (ALBANY).
THE AXE MAN COMETH.

Today's Times Union headline tells of
the dreaded layoffs of state workers:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cuomo-orders-pink-slips-to-begin-July-15-1416271.php

No one in the Albany or the Capital
District should take joy at this prospect.

The state workforce is to Albany, what
the iron and steel industry was to Buffalo.

Cuts in the state workforce will negatively
impact the private sector. Less shopping
at supermarkets and mall stores, which
means less sales tax revenues for county
governments.  Less income for repairmen
lawn maintenance outfits and others who
service homeowners. The entire private
sector will adversely be impacted.

Less property tax revenue, which will
have to be made up by remaining home
owners, in particular, the large sector of
elderly homeowners on fixed incomes
that dwell in Albany, Troy, Watervliet
Cohoes and Schenectady.

Less home sales. Less vehicle sales.

More spending on social services and
related government programs.

Want to really cut spending?  Governor
Cuomo should take on the political third
rail of real welfare reforms, focusing on
the myriad abuses rampant in that sytem.

Social services, medicaid, law enforcement
prisons and schools account for the major
spending incurred by cities, counties and
the state.

New York state and most of it's political
subdivisions, including the City of Albany
have embraced the policy of sanctuary
status for the huge number of illegal
aliens present. This population adds
significantly to spending on social services
education, medical care and corrections.

More illegals means more spending,  less
tax revenue and fewer jobs for citizens.


There are many times the number of
persons on welfare than employed in the
state workforce.

Supporting a growing dependent population
that can not carry it's own weight or
contribute to the betterment of society is
not sustainable in these hard economic times.

The message to Governor Cuomo and the
state Legislature is: (1) deal with real social
services reforms and (2) end sanctaury status
for the millions of illegal aliens who have
invaded our state.

Only then ,will New York get out of control
social services, and related, spending ,under
control.

Only then, will homeowners and businesses
realize real property tax relief.

Only then, will New York be on the road
to economic recovery.

                                              Joe Sullivan

                                          

CUOMO SOFT ON
ILLEGAL ALIENS?

Is Governor Cuomo compromising the
security and safety of New Yorkers and
failing  to save billions in dollars of
costs associated with the presence of
untold numbers of illegal aliens in
New York State?

Reading the following raises more questions than
it answers.

Cuomo Ends State’s Role in Checking Immigrants


Marcus Yam for The New York Times

By KIRK SEMPLE
Published: June 1, 2011

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Wednesday that he was suspending New York’s participation in a federal immigration enforcement plan that has drawn fire from immigrant advocates, civil liberties lawyers and elected officials in the state and around the country.


Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times

A statement from Mr. Cuomo’s office said there was “mounting evidence” that the program, called Secure Communities, had not only failed to meet its goal of deporting the most serious immigrant criminals but was also undermining law enforcement and compromising public safety.  PROOF?

“There are concerns about the implementation of the program as well as its impact on families, immigrant communities and law enforcement in New York,” Mr. Cuomo said. Unless those concerns are eased, the statement said, New York will not take part. SPECFIC CONCERNS?

Mr. Cuomo’s decision makes New York the second state to announce its intention to withdraw from the program, and sets up a confrontation with the Obama administration, which has made Secure Communities a cornerstone of immigration enforcement strategy. Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois said in May that he was canceling his state’s participation.

Under the program, begun by the Bush administration in 2008, the fingerprints of everyone booked into a local or county jail are sent to the Department of Homeland Security and compared with prints in its files. If officials find that a suspect is in the country illegally, or is a noncitizen with a criminal record, they may seek to deport the person.

By Wednesday, that fingerprint sharing had been introduced in about 41 percent of the nation’s jurisdictions, including 27 of 62 counties in New York. Mr. Cuomo’s move means that those counties’ participation will end. The entire country is scheduled to join the program by 2013.  NAME COUNTIES.

The practical effects of Mr. Cuomo’s decision are unclear. New York law enforcement agencies regularly check fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Homeland Security officials said that regardless of New York’s participation in Secure Communities, the F.B.I. would still share fingerprints with the immigration agency.   SO, GOV ANDREW IS POSTURING?

Federal officials said that if states did not share fingerprints with the F.B.I., those states would lose access to federal criminal databases, undermining their ability to fight crime.


While Secure Communities has contributed to a sharp rise in deportations under President Obama, it does not appear to have won him many allies. It has angered immigrants who supported Democrats in recent elections. It has also failed to convince many of the president’s Republican opponents that he is sufficiently committed to enforcement.

Opponents of the program contend that even though it was mainly intended to ensnare convicted criminals and people deemed a security threat, it has instead caught too many immigrants charged with low-level crimes or guilty only of being in the country illegally. This pattern, the opponents argue, has driven immigrants deeper into the shadows and deterred them from helping officials fight crime.  ONLY GUILTY OF BEING
IN COUNTRY ILLEGALLY?

In addition, critics have assailed the rollout of Secure Communities, which has been plagued by seemingly contradictory statements about how it works and whether local and state participation is voluntary.  VAGUE

Mylan L. Denerstein, counsel to Mr. Cuomo, cited these concerns in a letter on Wednesday.

“Until the numerous questions and controversies regarding the program can be resolved, we have determined that New York is best served by relying on existing tools to ensure the safety of its residents, especially given our overriding concern that the current mechanism is actually undermining law enforcement,” Mr. Denerstein wrote to John Sandweg, counsel to Janet Napolitano, the homeland security secretary. WHAT QUESTIONS, CONTROVERSIES? WHAT EXISTING TOOLS?

Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an arm of Homeland Security that oversees Secure Communities, said it was reviewing the program to make sure it focused on criminals.

Immigrant advocates praised Mr. Cuomo. “It is clear the tide is turning” against Secure Communities, said Pablo Alvarado, director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network in Los Angeles. “It’s high time for the president to terminate the program before any further damage is done to our communities.”  WHOSE
COMMUNITIES?


                                                              ###
Rather than ending New York's
participation in the Secure Communities
program, Governor Cuomo should:

1. End Sanctuary status for illegal aliens
    in New York State, all counties
    cities, towns, villages and political
    units therof. And denying state and
    federal aid to juridictions, including
    school districts, that fail to comply.

2. Report to the people of New York
    answering these questions?

   a) How many illegal aliens are in
       the state and where?

    b) What is the cost to state, and local
         taxpayers, of providing social services
         education benefits, medical care for
         illegal aliens.

       c) What are the types and numbers
        of crimes perpetrated by illegal
        aliens?  What  proportion of those
        incarcerated in prisons and jails
        in New York, are illegal aliens?
        What is it costing state taxpayers
         for law enforcement, courts, jails
         and prisons related to illegal
         aliens.

The costs of failure of New York State
and the political subdivisions thereof
to far exceed any political benefit that
might accrue to Governor Cuomo and
the New York Democratic Party.

In fact, this failure puts all New Yorkers
at increased risk, when we are the targets
of a foe seeking to destroy us in their War
of Terror.

                                     Joe Sullivan