Here’s the video WNYMedia.net obtained of Gillibrand’s event before we got booted:
Steele @ RNC
31 JanFormer Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee yesterday, beating out some Tennessee scumbag who sent out a CD with an allegedly satirical song called, “Barack, the Magic Negro” on it and a South Carolina chairman who belonged to a whites-only club until last September. Steele is black and from Maryland – a big-step effort by a marginalized party to try and reverse its slide into reactionary regionalism.
For this, the RNC should be commended – for the fact that they recognized that neither the songster nor the segregationist would be good to move the party forward, or to help it become more inclusive. Marc Ambinder noted:
The RNC isn’t diverse yet; only five black delegates were chosen to attend the national convention. Steele was disgusted by that. It prompted him to run.
Every little bit helps, and it helps the country that the opposition may focus more on its core economic message rather than its social orthodoxy issues.
Casino: Open & Legal
30 JanFrom the WNYMedia.net article:
A federal judge in Buffalo today rejected a motion to close the temporary Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and hold in contempt the chairman of the agency responsible for approving its legal right to operate.
U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny issued the decision this morning, denying the assertion of the plaintiffs, including Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County, that the casino should be closed. The judge said that the National Indian Gaming Commission’s recent approval of the Seneca Nation’s right to have “Class III” gaming on its Buffalo Creek Territory does not conflict with earlier rulings the judge made in the case last summer. Continue reading
Gillibrand’s Questionnaire and WNY Visit
30 JanIt’s not particularly fascinating, but it does represent some form of contemporary transparency and gives you a glimpse into what Paterson was looking for. Senator Gillibrand’s website is here.
Gillibrand will be in Western New York this weekend, but she’ll be meeting with certain officials and electeds. Not with you. Or you.
Her plan is to meet with a handful of local elected officials, the Mayor and the County Executive, then travel to Niagara Falls to do the same up there.
Her whirlwind trip into WNY already has some local officials feeling snubbed by the junior Senator as they were not invited to attend the small event tomorrow afternoon in downtown Buffalo.
Word is Gillibrand already has her hand out too, looking for someone to set up a local fundraising committee for her in the upcoming weeks.
NO public appearances are planned for the trip to WNY.
That’s just like when Caroline came to Buffalo, except without the … no, it’s just like it.
The Erie County Legislature Finds Unanimity
30 JanNothing unites the legislature like the control board’s malicious bumbling and stumbling, nor the hamhanded and arrogant incompetence of the Collins administration with respect to the tax bill fiasco.
Wasting money and making huge errors isn’t very Six Sigma-y, is it? Michele Iannello said:
“If we are going to talk about running county government like a business, then there have to be consequences for someone who made a $2 million mistake.”
(Now, if Gramigna will just explain who Legislator Robert Russell is)
(Photo credit: whitneyarlene via Flickr)
Byron Brown’s State of the City
30 JanDid you pay $35 to attend Mayor Brown’s speech and munch on some grub? Then you’re a dope, because here it is for free:
There’s a bit of a lag before it starts.
Friday Videos
30 JanI started this blog back when Joel Giambra was cool and I used to post a weekly review of my favorite viral videos of the week. Well, I haven’t done that since Joel Giambra became unemployed and lonely, so I thought I would start it up again.
Here’s a backlog edition of videos I think are cool.
Billy Mays on Quaaludes:
Jones’ Big Ass Truck Rental and Storage
Arrested Development Chicken Dance
Time Lapse Of A Baby Playing With Toys
THIS is how you do social media advertising
A “Rap” Up of All Five Seasons Of The Wire – The Greatest Show In TV History
Someday, you’ll read the news…on a COMPUTER!
A Word of Advice for Syaed Ali
29 JanNot that I’ve met or spoken with the guy, but maybe he ought to listen to his lawyer and keep his mouth shut for even just a little minute. Seriously.