I am often asked by those who are politically sick and tired of being sick and tired, what can be done to effectuate real change in the politics, at all three levels of government (federal, state, city/local). There are no easy answers. One thing I do know is that politics must never become a spectator sport. People of goodwill and strong ideals must participate in the process, no matter who else isn’t.

Recently, I was part of a small group which met to discuss the 2012 and 2013 election cycles. The discussion did not focus on any singular level or branch of government; nor did it focus on any specific race. After the discussions, I gave a lot of thought to action. You see it’s easy to sit around and pontificate. It’s even cool (somewhat) to gather in esoteric groups and theorize. Talk is cheap. It’s action that brings about change more so than posturing and the selling of woof-tickets.  read more »

I did a post-primary election column last month that drew many inane comments from some of the anonymous jackasses who love to peregrinate these NYC blogs, essentially to torment those who are strong enough to put their thoughts in writing; and brave enough to have their views/opinions published. The thread was somewhat disconcerting, given what I think is the overall objective of this site: to educate the public politically. After viewing the official results released by the Board of Elections recently, I have decided to revisit two of the races on which I commented.

When I was first recruited to write political columns on these blogs, I envisaged many other local activists writing about their respective communities: bringing attention to local personalities, issues, races, events and the like. I have always been aware that mainstream media tends to ignore (somewhat understandably/given limited resources) many parts of the city, and as such there is a need for political-activist-writer-types operating on blogs like these. I enjoy political blogs like Queen's Crap, Daily Gotham, The Politicker, The Daily News Blog and Room Eight-New York Politics.  read more »

Brooklyn has the embarrassing distinction of having one of the most corrupt local Democratic Party machines in the country. Our former party boss, Clarence Norman, is already in jail. Our current party boss, Vito Lopez, deserves the same fate. The fact that the national party tolerates this is an embarrassment to those of us who crusade against the much more prevalent Republican corruption. Someone in the national party really should take note of the crap that goes on in Brooklyn lest it gives the Republicans ammunition against us.  read more »

New Kings Democrats is still a relatively new player in Brooklyn politics and has been expanding the reform movement against the corrupt Vito Lopez machine. This has been greatly needed as a formerly reform club, IND, has sunk into its own bizarre world that focused on preventing effective clean up of the Gowanus canal before development but now seems oddly aimless and centered only on maintaining the club itself as a private domain of a particular family. Of course I saw something similar almost happen to CBID, but CBID managed to avoid that fate. IND has not.

Which means New Kings Democrats (NKD) is a much needed shot of new blood into the reform movement in Brooklyn. And they have been doing their best to give the Vito Lopez machine some headaches by running reform candidates for District Leader in areas dominated by Lopez. This is a nice balance to the fact that Vito Lopez is running his candidates (e.g. Vito's "Loyal Lackeys" Hope Reichbach and Steve Williamson running in the 52nd Assembly District) in traditionally reform districts. From NKD's latest Press Release:  read more »

In the race to replace Alan Fleishman as the male district leader in the 52nd Assembly district in Brooklyn, Chris Owens just picked up an unexpected and impressive endorsement. From Chris Owens' campaign:

On Saturday, June 12, New York City Comptroller John C. Liu boldly stepped up to the plate for reform Democrats in Brooklyn and proclaimed his support of Chris Owens for Democratic State Committee in the 52nd Assembly District.

At a pre-Parade party during Brooklyn Pride weekend, while thanking members of the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn for their support, Liu declared "I am with Chris Owens."

Owens was surprised and very pleased with the unsolicited endorsement. "As a citywide elected official, John Liu did not have to get involved with a messy situation within the Democratic Party and go against the County Leader, but, understanding the need for change in New York, John Liu showed the courage that got him elected Comptroller and I appreciate that greatly," said Owens.  read more »