Brooklyn is a fucked up place for Democrats. Seriously. And this is largely due to the insane, selfish and greedy machinations of the party leader Vito Lopez.

The most recent insanity that Vito Lopez's machinations have delivered to us is the candidacy of a horrible, anti-choice, anti-LGBT candidate for Assembly named Rafael Espinal. This guy is so awful that the Conservative and Republican Parties of New York wanted to endorse him. The only reason that the Republicans cannot endorse him is that he screwed up the paperwork, so can't be on the Republican line.

Opposed to this corrupt sleazebag are two candidates. First there is the useless candidate of the long-standing political Towns dynasty Deidra Towns. And then there is the REAL Democratic Candidate, Jesus Gonzalez, who is running on the normally corrupt and sleazy Working Families Party line, but this time seems pretty kick ass.  read more »

In the never-ending battles over a woman's constitutionally protected right to choose, one issue comes up again and again: the lack of information. Anti-choice extremists have done a reasonably effective job of curtailing women's access not just to safe and legal methods to terminate a pregnancy, but to the tools that make an informed choice possible.

Enter the internet.

Now, I've never had an abortion myself, or been even tangentially involved with one. Nor am I saying it's always the right choice. But it is not my choice. I'm not going to get pregnant, no matter how hard I try. That's what matters.

This could very well turn into an endless post, with a finely filigreed and nuanced analysis of the ethics involved, the costs, and the questions of God and Woman neatly addressed. That's not, however, within my scope. I'm a guy. A guy who likes guys, so this, for me, is well within the realm of the theoretical.  read more »

Healthcare reform and a woman's right to choose affect us all. Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak's attempts to hold healthcare reform hostage to his anti-choice agenda is a particularly horrible way to be an obstructionist. It is imperative that progressives and moderates all over the country show Bart and other obstructionist Dems that they had better get with the program of helping Americans or their seats won't be secure.

Connie Saltonstall is running a primary challenge against Bart Stupak (MI-1), co-sponsor of the anti-choice Pitts-Stupak amendment that would take away the right to choose from many women in America. Stupak is also part of the religious extremist cult surrounding the C-street group and has also supported the failed "abstinence only" sex-education programs that increase teen pregnancy rates. This is our chance to show Democrats who side too much with Republicans are vulnerable.

The progressive grassroots (including Daily Kos and my own small efforts) have already raised more than $60,000 for Connie Saltonstall in about a week. It isn't enough yet, but it is a great start. I predicted that once she started getting some real money for her challenge, she would start getting some good endorsements. Well, the first one came in already. The National Organization of Women has now endorsed Connie Saltonstall:

The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee is proud to announce our endorsement of Connie Saltonstall for Congress, representing Michigan's 1st District. Saltonstall is taking on reproductive rights foe and health care reform obstructer Rep. Bart Stupak in the state's Democratic primary this August.  read more »

Although I will take an anti-choice Democrat over an anti-choice Republican any day, I have to say that the 64 Democrats who voted for the anti-choice Stupak-Pitts Amendment are a serious disappointment. Some are expected. Some I really hoped for better and I can safely say I am unlikely to support them in the future.

Here is the statement from Planned Parenthood on the passage of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment:  read more »

Brooklyn-Queens NOW PAC has released its endorsements for the September 15th Primary election. Here they are:

Council District 23: (Hollis Hills, Queens Village, Little Neck, Douglaston, Bayside, Bellerose, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, New Hyde Park, Hollis, Hollis Park Gardens, Holliswood, Fresh Meadows). MARK WEPRIN currently serves as a NYS Assemblymember. His votes in the Assembly speak volumes. Contact information for Mark Weprin: www.markweprin.com; Office: 73-20 Bell Boulevard Oakland Gardens, phone: 718-468-4208.

Council District 29: (Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens; parts of Maspeth, Richmond, Elmhurst) - Michael Cohen, Karen Koslowitz, and Heidi Harrison Chain. All were excellent on our issues. We voted to endorse KAREN KOSLOWITZ, a proven fighter and previous Council Member. Contact information for Karen Koslowitz: www.karenforcouncil09.com. Address: 72-50 Austin Street, 2nd Floor, Room B, Forest Hills NY 11375. Phone: 347-722-6923. Fax: 718-268-7363.

Council District 33: (Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint; parts of Williamsburg, Park Slope, Boerum Hill) - Ken Diamondstone and Jo Anne Simon. Both were excellent on our issues. We voted to endorse JO ANNE SIMON, a longtime advocate for disability rights and civil rights. Contact information for Jo Anne Simon: www.joanneforcouncil.com. Address: 75-B Hoyt Street Brooklyn, NY 11201. Phone: 718-852-8183.

Council District 39: (Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Prospect Park). Candidate JOSH SKALLER is running for the seat vacated by Bill DiBlasio. Unlike his opponents, Skaller accepts no money from developers and is upfront about his support for our issues. Contact information for Josh Skaller: http://skaller09.com; phone:(718) 568-9699; email: community@skaller09.com.

Council District 49: (North Shore Staten Island). DEBI ROSE is running against Kenneth Mitchell. Mitchell, in his short stint (since February) in the council, has already disappointed on healthcare, voting against a bill to protect women from being harassed during visits to reproductive health clinics. Contact information for Debi Rose: www.votedebirose2009.com. Address: 552 Richmond Rd, Staten Island, NY 10304. Phone: 347-855-2968. Email: info@votedebirose2009.com.

Council District 51: (South Shore, Staten Island). JANINE MATERNA has only Republican incumbent, Vincent Ignizio to face. His allegiances are not to our issues. Materna is excellent on repro rights, education and domestic violence. In her district, it's not easy to be outspoken on women's rights, but she is. Contact information for Janine Materna: www.janinematernaforcitycouncil.com. Address: PO Box 90673 Staten Island, NY 10309. Phone: 718 408-1420. Email: janine.maternal@gmail.com.

All our endorsed candidates support NOW issues and have, in their interviews and statements, demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of repro rights, civil rights, economic impact, marital and healthcare issues. We encourage you to get involved in their campaigns. Canvassing, phonebanking, hosting fundraisers, and contributions are most needed. Primary Day is September 15th. ***VOTE! ***VOTE!*** VOTE!***

According to their website:

The Brooklyn-Queens Chapter has its own Political Action Committee (PAC) which allows us to endorse candidates for local offices.

We examine their positions carefully and interview them to make sure that they actively promote legislation which furthers the goals of women's equality.