In my most recent “Vines” column, I was a bit hard on council member Jumaane Williams; I would  admit that. I even felt it was justified based on the information I was working with. So it wasn't at all surprising when he called me to defend his position. This column essentially delves into the gist of the council member's response.

It has been a while since I did a “Vines” column: so here goes. As I always caution, this type of column is a bit different to my regular columns, and as such, it should not be held up to the same rigorous scrutiny (and standards) as the others. Here I do a bit more speculating than I normally do: so keep that in mind as you search for ways to jump my blog-bones (lol).

There have been times over the past six years of engaging these blogs, when I have wondered if it's even worth it. I had hoped that local races -hardly covered by mainstream media- would be dealt with on the blogs, by local electeds, staffers, community activists, and the sort. I had hoped valuable info would be disseminated to the voters in time to further inform the choices being made. Alas, I have come to the conclusion that this hardly ever happens: too many people come to the blogs to ridicule rather than inform.

A FAMOUS ACTOR, A DEAD PRESIDENT,  AN UNHERALDED ICON, TWO DISTRICT LEADERS, A NEW BOOK, TWO AUTHORS, A COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AND AN ASSEMBLYMAN: ALL COMING TOGETHER FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH (FEB. 2011).

If you stick with me on this column, I am sure that long before the end, you will be both edified and entertained. Who knows, it may even help you change the way you viewed “Black History Month”. 

Last night the Knicks obtained Carmelo Anthony in a trade with the Denver Nuggets. All in all it was a trade that had to be made. In the end the Knicks may have paid a “tad” too much for “Melo”; given that they had to throw in lots of cash: but I'm not going to bitch about that. The Garden needed this player as much as Sarah Palin needs some more college credits: real bad. Plus, the Knicks obtained a few throw-in players who will be quite useful  over the next year or two (namely, Billups, Williams, Carter and Brewer); useful off the bench, or  useful as trading-fodder.

All long-suffering basketball fans of the New York Knickerbockers (aka: N.Y. Knicks), must be quite pleased with how the team has progressed this season: since the signing of free-agent forward/center Amare Stoudemire, in the off-season (last July). After all, it's over a decade since the Knicks last appeared in an NBA finals, and almost 38 years since the team  last won the NBA title (1973).

Throughout his political career, Assemblyman Darryl Towns (Brooklyn/54AD) has labored under the heavy shadow cast by his amiable congressman-father Ed (Brooklyn/10th congressional district): although it has apparently been more of a help than a hindrance. But now, it looks like that's about to change. Darryl is stepping-out folks. He was recently selected by freshman governor Andrew Cuomo to become the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New York State's Housing and Community Renewal.

Dear Mr. President:

Let me preface this by saying that I am not only a supporter, I am also a fan and admirer of you on many levels. And with that out of the way, let me also say that you have pissed me off so many times in the last two years that I need a mulligan now; thus I write this letter. 

I haven't published a column on Room Eight New York Politics for about six weeks now. Truth be told, I am politically depressed: that's all. Hopefully I'll be back in swing soon enough; since I am still intent on regularly contributing to this political-writers colony. At least that's where my head is in general, but my heart's in a different place right now, so I am reading poetry and literature to cover up the disappointment that is today's political landscape (local, national and international).

So last week, the state court held that the unqualified Cathie Black can become our next school's chancellor in New York City. Happy New Year!!

This should be a letter to the present mayor (and to all wanabee future mayors of New York City). Instead of just some political column, I could title it:“Start treating the outer-boroughs right; enough is enough”.

THIS WAS SENT TO ME BY E-MAIL RECENTLY AND I HAD TO SHARE IT WITH YOU ROOM EIGHT READERS: Take this test and pass it on to your more literate friends.

This is what it took to accomplish an eight grade eduction back then.

Remember when grandparents and great - grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?

Well, some people aren't going to like this column, but what's new? I think I have found a good female candidate for the next election for the office of Brooklyn borough president. If she runs and wins, then history will be made, since she will be the first female borough president of Brooklyn.

In 2006 we finally got a female NYC council speaker in Christine Quinn; and I know that for the forces of empowerment, inclusion and diversity, she fits two bills: she is also a lesbian. Fine.

It was written by a young Otto Rene Castillo: a Guatemalan born writer -now deceased.

One day
the apolitical intellectuals of my country
will be interrogated by the simplest of our people.
They will be asked:
“what did you do,
when your nation died out slowly;
like a sweet fire, small and alone?” 

I have been told that presently the NYC public school system has close to 1.25 million students. I am also told that only around ten per cent of these students are white; and that the vast majority are Negro and Hispanic; with significant East Indians and other Asians: in other words black and brown, and yellow, and red all over.