In a heavily Democratic town such as ours, you would think that the laws of New York would reflect a population that prefers liberty over tyranny, freedom over oppression and the right to public assembly (as stated in the Bill of Rights). Even if a majority of New Yorkers feel this way, it is apparent that the lawyers for the city of New York do not.

Recently a federal judge issued a ruling for the police department to stop videotaping public gatherings and protests so that people who went out on the streets would not feel intimidated by those that are charged to protect and serve, not protect and spy.

On February 15th, Judge Charles S. Haight Jr. resolved a 35 year class-action lawsuit by threatening to hold the city in contempt if the random videotapings occurred again. Nearly a month later the city's attorneys have started an appeal that claims the judge over-stepped his authority in limiting the police's activities. Their assertion is that in 2003 the city agreed to less restrictive rules because “the N.Y.P.D. never had any intention of agreeing to the incorporation of detailed operational guidelines into the consent decree subjecting itself to contempt for a plethora of potential violations.” Basically they find his ruling "an impermissable" order.

Crossposted from Joshing Politics

The Steamroller is not taking the challenge to his cuts from 1199 S.E.I.U and the Greater New York Hospital Association lightly. On Friday he hit them with the powerpoint presentation and then Sunday went to the NY Post and wrote a great editorial on his plan to reform the health care system in New York. Today he is moving forward by looking for support from the trustees of over 1000 of New York's hospitals. By effectively manuevering around GYNHA and 1199 who represent the hospitals, he is talking directly to those in charge.

The letter starts of by acknowledging that he was once a trustee himself and cares deeply about the state of our health care system. He reiterates that we pay too much into a system that provides far too little for people that deserve decent medical care in New York.

Crossposted from Joshing Politics

The practice of political back-scratching has been going on for many years now. It should come as no surprise to see it going on in 2007 up in Albany. Governor Spitzer's quest for reform strikes fear into the hearts of legislators that are used to doing business as usual for quite sometime. So when a corrupt Republican gets together with a Democrat who have both been comfortable in the New York State Senate for many years, the motivation for such a move isn't hard to find.

Senator Carl Kruger of Brooklyn was recently appointed to head the Social Service Committee. The position pays Kruger an additional $12,500 a year and affords him the power that a chairman naturally acquires. The question is, why would Joe Bruno appoint a Democrat while the Republicans still hold the majority (albeit a slim one) in the Senate? Let's take a look, shall we?

Crossposted from Joshing Politics

You might have heard about last week's rat attack at a KFC/Taco Bell down in Greenwich village at 6th Ave. and 4th St. A Fox 5 TV news crew was in the area and saw a horde of rats scurrying around the fast food joint, picking up scraps on the floor and hanging out on the trashcans. For those that get nervous around the little furry creatures, the scene would have sent you running.

[Ed. note: Here's that video.]

What made the story even worse and subsequently gain more attention in the local and even national news (and YouTubed) was that the store was inspected by the health department the day before. The report gave the store good marks with no signs of vermin. The establishment had been cited previously, four times in the last three years but conditions show that there hasn't been much change here. Perhaps rats like the combination of pizza and tacos...but I have seen them eat far worse between the rails in the subway stations.

Crossposted from Joshing Politics

Sitting in front of your computer screen late at night on Fat Tuesday (going into Wednesday)? While you read the great posts here on TDG, you might want to listen to a full sixteen and a half minutes of great N'Awlins music. In the middle of a what seems to be a deserted neighborhood, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis got together to support the Musicians' Village and Habitat for Humanity.

Thanks to hmbscully on YouTube! More NOLA jazz on my blog

In what maybe a brand new way to hit back at the insurance companies that pillage hospitals and patients alike, a lawsuit was filed by two different hospitals in Queens, N.Y. today.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center filed a joint suit that charges United Health Group and Oxford Subsidiaries violated the U.S. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act by implementing an illegal business plan that enriched the insurance giant and their extremely wealthy CEO William Mcguire among others.

Crossposted at Joshing Politics

Corruption and the benefits of being in the 'club' have been mainstays for the state government of New York. Selecting Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli to comptroller would have hardly batted an eye in the past. However, it seems that the times, they are a changing.

First Eliot 'Steamroller' Spitzer came out and attacked lawmakers for appointing the unqualified DiNapoli to the position to state comptroller last week. The harsh reaction from the Governor prompted the NY media to cover the criticism. Now it seems the public is taking noticing and letting their Assemblymen know how they feel.

More below the fold:

If you have ever set foot inside a market in New York City, you most likely have run into a friendly man or woman that bags the groceries. These people work hard for a living just like the rest of us in whatever trade we have become aligned. Some choose this job out of necessity, being run out of a different profession or because they have done it all their lives. Regardless, it is a small but integral part of our community at work. The only difference is how they get paid.

Most grocers argue that these workers are mere volunteers and only deserve the tips that are given by customers. Tips can add up to $10, 20, even $30 a day, though it is a paycheck that is far below the $6.75 minimum wage here in New York City. In the past there have been lawsuits to garner a fair wage, but the persistence of old ways and grocery store owners (from little stores to large chains) have kept the baggers from earning the minimum wage.