But because I need a job. Although I do plan to post maybe a few things now and then, to force myself to keep in the loop on the local scene. But yeah, I'm looking for work right now, which also leaves me open to do volunteer work (either for a campaign or not). So if you got something interesting, let me know.
How to explain the lack of posts during the past year? I kind of fell out of it after the local elections finished two elections ago. National elections were fun as heck to follow, but harder to feel like I was playing a large role in. New local ones coming up though, lets see how they go.
Hadn't booted up the blogger in a while. 81 posts prior to this. Wow, I was more prolific than I thought.
June 7, 2009
May 24, 2008
Well, it's cold up there anyway...
Congressman Jim Walsh has reversed his position and now favors drilling in the Artic Wildlife Refuge. Dale Sweetland and David Gay agree with his new decision. Dan Maffei is against. With apologies to Mr. Gay, I'm most definitely siding with Dan on this one. First of all I'm not sure I'd in anyway agree that having wildlife refuges would be against the bill of rights. Seems to me wildlife refuges have been a good idea. But basically I've yet to see how drilling in pristine wilderness is going to help with more than a few pennies at the pump. As our own gas tax cap showed, there's never a guarantee of any savings when it comes to dealing with oil companies. Not to mention that whatever amount of oil we get out of there is going to be like nothing compared to the amount we depend on every day from the Middle East. If we could throw some sort of guarantee in there, I might consider it but still feel dirty afterwards. And the destruction of our environment will create all kinds of havoc in the long run.
If we really want to do something about the gas price, lets get the corn the hell out of there. Corn-based ethanol doesn't work people, because it produces like almost no energy. It works great in Brazil because they use sugar cane and can actually run their country entirely on cane-based ethanol, but all the corn is doing is putting a high demand on corn, thus making our gas cost even more.
If we really want to do something about the gas price, lets get the corn the hell out of there. Corn-based ethanol doesn't work people, because it produces like almost no energy. It works great in Brazil because they use sugar cane and can actually run their country entirely on cane-based ethanol, but all the corn is doing is putting a high demand on corn, thus making our gas cost even more.
May 19, 2008
Reading the newspaper so you don't have to
Sunday, Sunday... The Post-standard had a few interesting news items. A non-profit group called Home HeadQuarters is buying up a lot of land around Blodgett School. The theory is that they'll make improvements and try to revamp the neighborhood. The potential problem is they've spent so much of their money on property that they can't revamp all the houses right now. Apparently they look to look for more money and also market the houses as is or with some improvements. Let's hope it works, cause at least 2.25 mill came from Rep. James Walsh's Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative.
And then from the opinion page. The paper is angry at judges for letting the lack of a pay raise interfere with their duties. Some of the judges are refusing to hear cases involving law firms that involve state legislators, citing conflict of interest since there is now a suit involving judge's pay. So the paper wants judges to get back to work and I agree with that. But the paper also declares that "Judges certainly deserve a raise," and here is where I will piss off my lawyer friends. The argument used is that the sharpest legal minds will leave because they can make so much more in private practice. This is roughly akin to saying we should start paying college basketball players because they can make so more in the pros. The fact that some lawyers make insane amounts of money is not the taxpayers' fault. Well, it probably is the fault of some of the taxpayers, but not all of them.
Additionally, the paper complains that Democrats haven't come up with a candidate to run against Defrancisco or Barclay, and again I agree with the first part. Then it says this is not to disparage the great works of either. Ok, he's got some things to work on, but I'll grant you DeFran, but Barclay? Really?
Finally, school board elections. Once again, budgets are increasing by millions, and I don't know about your district, but in Bville not one candidate said anything to the Post-Standard about trying to keep this in check. At the very least they should look at administration costs, because I know Baker High has like 82 vice principles (this is called hyperbole, do not send emails correcting me). Everyone complains about property taxes, so I urge you to start doing something more than complaining. Write to your school board urging them to keep up education while still keeping taxes in check, it can be done! And stop voting in every incumbent and voting yes on every budget without seeing what's up first.
And then from the opinion page. The paper is angry at judges for letting the lack of a pay raise interfere with their duties. Some of the judges are refusing to hear cases involving law firms that involve state legislators, citing conflict of interest since there is now a suit involving judge's pay. So the paper wants judges to get back to work and I agree with that. But the paper also declares that "Judges certainly deserve a raise," and here is where I will piss off my lawyer friends. The argument used is that the sharpest legal minds will leave because they can make so much more in private practice. This is roughly akin to saying we should start paying college basketball players because they can make so more in the pros. The fact that some lawyers make insane amounts of money is not the taxpayers' fault. Well, it probably is the fault of some of the taxpayers, but not all of them.
Additionally, the paper complains that Democrats haven't come up with a candidate to run against Defrancisco or Barclay, and again I agree with the first part. Then it says this is not to disparage the great works of either. Ok, he's got some things to work on, but I'll grant you DeFran, but Barclay? Really?
Finally, school board elections. Once again, budgets are increasing by millions, and I don't know about your district, but in Bville not one candidate said anything to the Post-Standard about trying to keep this in check. At the very least they should look at administration costs, because I know Baker High has like 82 vice principles (this is called hyperbole, do not send emails correcting me). Everyone complains about property taxes, so I urge you to start doing something more than complaining. Write to your school board urging them to keep up education while still keeping taxes in check, it can be done! And stop voting in every incumbent and voting yes on every budget without seeing what's up first.
May 6, 2008
I suppose I should post...
Forgive me, I've been on vacation.
First of all, the sewage plant in Armory Square is completely nixed, and thank goodness.
Venturing to the things to be less thankful for, except maybe for humor value, the Post-standard reports that our man Dale is "on a roll." Assemblyman Bob Oaks withdrew from the race for Walsh's congressional seat. And Walsh endorsed Sweetland, which of course makes me like him even less. Walsh then asked David Gay and Mark-Paul Serafin to drop out, and they told him to suck it (I may be paraphrasing). David Gay, by the way, seems to have posted a response to this site. That, or someone posing as him. Either way, I'm happy. Dave, if you'd like to do a short post summing up your reasons for running, so that my reader(s) may know a thing or two about you, that would be alright. As for Sweetland, well, a Miss Carrie James, speaking for the Maffei campaign, seems to have summed it up nicely, calling Sweetland "a status quo politition (who) sat idly by and watched 20000 Central New Yorkers leave the region." Plus he really doesn't know how to campaign. So naturally he should run for Congress.
In an effort to get more readers, I did contact syracuse.com to try to get in their upstate blogs list. I was told they'd try and get me up in a week or so. This was more than a week ago.
First of all, the sewage plant in Armory Square is completely nixed, and thank goodness.
Venturing to the things to be less thankful for, except maybe for humor value, the Post-standard reports that our man Dale is "on a roll." Assemblyman Bob Oaks withdrew from the race for Walsh's congressional seat. And Walsh endorsed Sweetland, which of course makes me like him even less. Walsh then asked David Gay and Mark-Paul Serafin to drop out, and they told him to suck it (I may be paraphrasing). David Gay, by the way, seems to have posted a response to this site. That, or someone posing as him. Either way, I'm happy. Dave, if you'd like to do a short post summing up your reasons for running, so that my reader(s) may know a thing or two about you, that would be alright. As for Sweetland, well, a Miss Carrie James, speaking for the Maffei campaign, seems to have summed it up nicely, calling Sweetland "a status quo politition (who) sat idly by and watched 20000 Central New Yorkers leave the region." Plus he really doesn't know how to campaign. So naturally he should run for Congress.
In an effort to get more readers, I did contact syracuse.com to try to get in their upstate blogs list. I was told they'd try and get me up in a week or so. This was more than a week ago.
April 4, 2008
Go, go,go
I seem to be handing out kudos to people. Weird for me.
Of course the first one for the day is no surprise. Kudos to Tom Buckel for asking AG Cuomo to look into the fact that we trimmed our gas taxes and gas prices, relative to other areas, stayed exactly the same. Who could have predicted that would happen (hint: ME)? On a related note, a letter to the editor seems to complain about County Executive Mahoney for allowing the gas tax cap to expire and the legislature shifting this to a property tax rebate. The argument of the letter seems to be that leasers will not pass the savings on to leasees. So the writer doesn't trust leasers to pass on savings, but does trust big oil. Hmm. Yeah.
Second, kudos to Congressman Walsh. Wait, what? Yeah, you heard me. Kudos to him for standing up to China and their numerous human rights violations by supporting a bill banning President Bush from Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing. As someone of Asian descent, I state firmly that the problem has been we've let China have too much of their own way.
Of course the first one for the day is no surprise. Kudos to Tom Buckel for asking AG Cuomo to look into the fact that we trimmed our gas taxes and gas prices, relative to other areas, stayed exactly the same. Who could have predicted that would happen (hint: ME)? On a related note, a letter to the editor seems to complain about County Executive Mahoney for allowing the gas tax cap to expire and the legislature shifting this to a property tax rebate. The argument of the letter seems to be that leasers will not pass the savings on to leasees. So the writer doesn't trust leasers to pass on savings, but does trust big oil. Hmm. Yeah.
Second, kudos to Congressman Walsh. Wait, what? Yeah, you heard me. Kudos to him for standing up to China and their numerous human rights violations by supporting a bill banning President Bush from Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing. As someone of Asian descent, I state firmly that the problem has been we've let China have too much of their own way.
April 3, 2008
Well, I do have to admit...
Two things this county has done that I did not think were good ideas are the cap on the gas taxes (no guarantee that we get any savings) and the plan to put a sewage treatment plan in Armory Square (just dumb). Well, she may not have gotten my vote at the time, but County Executive Joanie Mahoney has indeed taken a stand on these two issues, and its the same stand I had.
With regard to the gas tax, one county legislator that was opposed actually had the nerve to state that there was no evidence the gas cap had not saved people money. Let's go over that again. There is NO evidence it's NOT saved money. How about evidence it actually has saved anyone money dangit! Also there is evidence. One of the news channels looked at our price of gas vs Rochester. Before gas cap, few pennies less here. After gas cap, few pennies less here.
Regarding the plan to put a sewage plant in Armory Square, Mahoney has stated "I think we can do better." Not only that, her plan to is to see if we can relieve the need for such a plant by using green technology. All I can say is thank goodness.
Jumping to things I am really not so thankful for, Mr. Sweetland has formally announced his campaign for the 25th Congressional. I can't wait to see his 852 point plan for the country.
40 Below is looking for people to tout the Syracuse area. Apparently there are prizes involved.
With regard to the gas tax, one county legislator that was opposed actually had the nerve to state that there was no evidence the gas cap had not saved people money. Let's go over that again. There is NO evidence it's NOT saved money. How about evidence it actually has saved anyone money dangit! Also there is evidence. One of the news channels looked at our price of gas vs Rochester. Before gas cap, few pennies less here. After gas cap, few pennies less here.
Regarding the plan to put a sewage plant in Armory Square, Mahoney has stated "I think we can do better." Not only that, her plan to is to see if we can relieve the need for such a plant by using green technology. All I can say is thank goodness.
Jumping to things I am really not so thankful for, Mr. Sweetland has formally announced his campaign for the 25th Congressional. I can't wait to see his 852 point plan for the country.
40 Below is looking for people to tout the Syracuse area. Apparently there are prizes involved.
March 30, 2008
Ask and you shall receive...
Well it seems I have some sort of effect on Republicans, because the day after I post for people to go for Walsh's spot, several of them do. Including this blog's old friend Dale Sweetland. Because there's nothing that prepares you for running for Congress like losing a primary for a County Executive spot. Maybe we can get those wonderful "architectural windmills" all across the country. I also like the Post-Standard's description of another contender: "A 26-year-old punk rocker, David Gay, of Syracuse, who was the local coordinator of Ron Paul's presidential campaign, declared he also will run as a Republican." Gay is apparently a Medicare claims entry clerk who plans to primary for the spot if it isn't handed to him (when it isn't, perhaps). I admire the cojones, but there is also something to be said for the old start small and work your way up approach.
Nancy Lorraine Hoffman isn't running. She basically says the party leadership told her not to. A pity. I'd actually have to consider voting for her. I'm not saying I would, but I'd look into what she was saying.
Apparently some sort of free tuition program for Syracuse City school grads stalled in the state assembly. Some people would say, why just the city, and there is some validity to that question, but clearly something has to be done to fix inner city schools and since several colleges were already signed on board by Ms. Nancy Cantor, then I think it sounds like a good idea on it's face.
Interesting poll results in today's opinion section. When asked their opinion of Gov. Paterson, 51% said they didn't have enough info to have a favorable or unfavorable opinion. But when asked if he'd do an effective job, 75% said he'd govern effectively. So, does that mean like at least 26% didn't have enough info to form an opinion, but think he'll do a bang up job? And the more important question, how many of those people vote? As to my opinion of our new Gov? The only concern I've got so far has to do with a prior bill he proposed that advocated cops should shoot to wound. Anyone with even a slight knowledge of guns or law enforcement should be aware that would be totally unfeasible and would cost lives (certainly on the cop side if not on both sides).
Finally, I was going to end this post with "And in case you didn't dislike him enough already," and link to an article on how Walsh is considering becoming a lobbyist in retirement, but I couldn't locate the article online. But it was in the hard copy of the Post Standard. So that's that.
Nancy Lorraine Hoffman isn't running. She basically says the party leadership told her not to. A pity. I'd actually have to consider voting for her. I'm not saying I would, but I'd look into what she was saying.
Apparently some sort of free tuition program for Syracuse City school grads stalled in the state assembly. Some people would say, why just the city, and there is some validity to that question, but clearly something has to be done to fix inner city schools and since several colleges were already signed on board by Ms. Nancy Cantor, then I think it sounds like a good idea on it's face.
Interesting poll results in today's opinion section. When asked their opinion of Gov. Paterson, 51% said they didn't have enough info to have a favorable or unfavorable opinion. But when asked if he'd do an effective job, 75% said he'd govern effectively. So, does that mean like at least 26% didn't have enough info to form an opinion, but think he'll do a bang up job? And the more important question, how many of those people vote? As to my opinion of our new Gov? The only concern I've got so far has to do with a prior bill he proposed that advocated cops should shoot to wound. Anyone with even a slight knowledge of guns or law enforcement should be aware that would be totally unfeasible and would cost lives (certainly on the cop side if not on both sides).
Finally, I was going to end this post with "And in case you didn't dislike him enough already," and link to an article on how Walsh is considering becoming a lobbyist in retirement, but I couldn't locate the article online. But it was in the hard copy of the Post Standard. So that's that.
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