- Got tips? Send them to tips (at) r8ny (dot) com
- Blog on Room Eight
- sign-up to receive a daily digest by email
- Advertise on Room Eight
- Login / Sign-up
The Mayor's Dangerous Idea?Today's news that Bloomberg will seek a second term, and the prompt stamp of approval from the arbiter of the city's reform movement, the Times edit board, sent me back to the September 28, 2001 editorial titled "The Mayor's Dangerous Idea." They wrote then:
Today's case is technically a bit different. City Hall is legally within its rights, even if there's something a bit "uncomfortable," as the Times puts it, about using the City Council to undo a referendum. But the core argument is the same: In this unprecedented moment of crisis, we can't do without this "effective and popular" individual. "Not to serve any individual’s political career" -- of course -- "but to serve the larger cause of democracy." Putin Bloomberg
I already posted on TDG that we should ban together in a class action law suit to prevent this from happening. I'm furious that Bloomberg and the City Council would do this to the voters. I voted twice for term limits and I want my vote upheld.
reply | email this comment
While I think Bloomberg's money may help him defend against any backlash, the Councilmembers that run for a third term may not have that privilege. Some will try to pretend like they oppose this, but then will run again. If Councilmembers like Yassky, Quinn, DeBlasio, and others that represent reform areas run again, they should be face challenges. What is more, they should be primaried by fusion candidates that represent a coalition of reform clubs seeking to put forth the strongest candidates.
In the old Harper's Weekly, cartoonist Thomas Nast did many editorial cartoons against "Caesarism" (U.S. Grant's proposed third term as president). Not only did I vote twice to put and keep the term limit law in place, but I made my statement known in the 1996 Voter Guide (and received an unexpected thank-you from Ron Lauder's people). I firmly disagree with today's New York Times editorial that the city council can vote on this themselves, and that this would be the best way to serve "democracy." It seems that the people's opinions aren't valued in NYC anymore. This stinks! (O.T.: Room Eight has been loading very slowly on my computer these days.) Might there be an argument under the U.S. Voting Rights Act that the use of a City Council vote undermines the votes of the districts protected by the US Voting Rights Act?
My understanding is that this move would at least need pre-clearance from the DOJ, which should take some time. This should all be jammed up in the Courts. Norm Siegel, where are you when we need you old man?
Except for President, I believe term limits are foolish. Your most experienced people at the local level are forced to leave their post after so many years, which can hurt a community. Real term limits are called elections.
And for good reason, on an unrelated issue.
I don't want to say what I'm going to say without good reason. So I'm not going to say anything until I hear it from the man himself. Would you be saying term limits are dumb if George W. Bush was trying this? What is so gross about this is that they are doing it without going back to the people for a referendum, and because everthing I have read seems to suggest that this is only going to apply to this group, and to no one else. This is all a big power grab and it is disgusting.  Can't you see the logical problem with your position: "except for the president, I think term limits are foolish?" You will have to explain why it isn't foolish for the prez. And then you have to explain why that criterion (whatever) doesn't aply to the presidency.
I'm not an attorney, but overturning two referenda sure smacks of a disenfranchisment of voters. Why would New York City voters ever vote on a proposition again when the Council and the Mayor can do what they want? What makes it even worse is a Mayor who says he will spend everything it takes to win a third term. This comes from the guy who likes to bill himself as a reformer. I will say that at least Anthony Weiner is showing some muscle by saying he'll run anyway. Thompson is kicking an screaming that it's unfair, but dollars to doughnuts, he will run for Comtroller again.
I'm not an attorney, but overturning two referenda sure smacks of a disenfranchisement of voters. Why would New York City voters ever vote on a proposition again when the Council and the Mayor can do what they want? What makes it even worse is a Mayor who says he will spend everything it takes to win a third term. This comes from the guy who likes to bill himself as a reformer. I will say that at least Anthony Weiner is showing some muscle by saying he'll run anyway. Thompson is kicking and screaming that it's unfair, but dollars to doughnuts, he will run for Comtroller again.
To quote Gil Scott Heron, "must be something we can do" The same way the anti-Sports Complex folks in Brooklyn have used the courts to delay the project, maybe we can get injunctions to declare this new law a violation of the voting rights act. Maybe this will be Weiner's populist cause? I would imagine that Norm Siegel is working on a lawsuit of some sort. Any lawsuit would try to delay the implementation of the law until around July of next year. However, if the Courts quickly dismiss the case, then this route might be difficult. Another strategy is to clearly object to this. Voters need to let the City Council know that if they vote for this, there will be a price to pay. Also, if they run again there will be a price to pay too. Was quoted in today's NYTimes online as saying that this will go to court http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/nyregion/03bloomberg.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin Maybe the Bronx Da should have a look at this: http://yourfreepress.blogspot/2008/10/bronx-thugs-vs-mafia.html http://www.wfautism.org/louisedelucia.pdf.com Today I come accross a wonderful site,then I found many quinceanera dresses,I love some fashion style quinceanera dress,which make me feel a beautiful princess,there have the tiffany quinceanera dresses and quinceanera dresses under 100,when you prepare to buy them,choosing the discount quinceanera dresses is your best choice.Other color styles like red quinceanera dresses,blue quinceanera dresses and black quinceanera dresses,but as for me,I prefer the purple quinceanera dresses 2011 better,which make me feel much more confident about my body shape.Last but not least,plus size quinceanera dresses are also beautiful enough for who has a little fat. Highly recomend you the Dress store and mldress for you to select your dreaming dresses. If someone is think about how to choose your wedding dresess,I can give you a hand,firstly,you should choose the style what you suit for,Simple Wedding Dresses,Modest Wedding Dresses and Couture Wedding Dresses are ready for your simple but beautiful wedding ceremony,Beach Wedding Dresses are the choice for your beach wedding,Casual Wedding Dresses and Princess Wedding Dresses are welcomed by many brides too,on the other hand,if you have pregnant before wedding,then Maternity Wedding Dresses are perfect for you.At the same time,do not forget other members of your wedding ceremony,such as Bridesmaid Dresses,Junior Bridesmaid Dresses,Flower Girl Dresses,and the Mother of the Bride Dresses,they are all beautiful. And if you want to buy your dresses,you can go to the mldress or Dress store for you to select your dreaming dresses. On the other hand,everyone prefer to be warm in winter,so the Hot Ugg Boots are your best choice,which contain Ugg Boots 5815 Classic Tall Sand, UGG Classic Tall Boots Black. Then the UGG Classic Tall Boots Chestnut, UGG Classic Tall Boots Chocolate, UGG Classic Tall Boots Grey and UGG Classic Tall Boots Leopard. Last but not least, UGG Classic Tall Boots Light Blue, UGG Classic Tall Boots Light Grey, and UGG Classic Tall Boots Mettlic Gold, which are all also warm and beautiful, hope you will have a warm and nice winter. Thanks for another informative blog. The place else could I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect means? I've a project that I'm just now operating on, and I have been at the glance out for such info.
I the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great content.
What's Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I've discovered It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & aid different customers like its aided me. Great job.
I believe this website contains very great indited subject material posts.
Some really prize blog posts on this website, saved to favorites.
Post new comment |
Hot Topics
Gov Wire
Political Update
Google AdsSearchRoom Eight Extras |
delicious
digg