Tonight Joy and I (with Jacob in tow) made our way to a protest against a developer who seems to want special treatment in the Park Slope area near 4th Ave. This is not far from where we lived, so, despite not knowing alot about the issue, we went. (Updated to Josh Skaller's public statement on the issue):

Statement from City Council Candidate Josh Skaller
(D-39th District) Regarding the Requested Zoning Variance at 580 Carroll Street

"The entire process of development in our city has fallen apart. New York City has to grow, we all know that - but it has to grow in a way that works for communities. The current process is a rubber stamp for well-connected developers that goes on behind closed doors, with the community on the outside looking in.

"The City's Board of Standards and Appeals - also known as the BSA - should be part of the solution. Instead, it's a big part of the problem. The BSA often takes action on developments that disregard the interests of communities - and behooves the interests of developers. And that's what gets us to where we are today.  read more »

Change is in the air! Today, one of the worst eras in American history will come to a close (lasting legacy of economic depression aside), and a new, almost certainly MUCH better era will begin. It is time to celebrate.

How will you celebrate the end of the Bush regime and the beginning of the Obama Presidency? With the passing of one very depressing era, and the start of a new, very hopeful one, I am considering several ways to commemorate the event.

Perhaps it is time to show my pride as a liberal American. Be PROUD to be a liberal American. Our nation was founded on liberal principles and we should remind everyone around us that it is PATRIOTIC to be liberal.

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Back in January 2006 I had as my goals:

1.) defeating the Bush/Gingrich/McCain agenda nationally

2.) defeating the Pataki, Bruno and Silver Albany constipation

3.) defeating the local Brooklyn Vito Lopez machine.

Still working on #3 through several channels. And it remains to be seen whether indictments or ill health or Brooklyn fatigue with corruption bring down Vito Lopez. For my part I prefer indictments to ill health. But Charles Hynes, the Brooklyn DA, has pushed that aside and has focused on other, also worthy efforts. So we wait to see who will replace Lopez in time.

Goal #1 began to happen in 2006 with a massive take over of the House and an evening up of the Senate. And we have a damned good shot at continuing this in 2008 with MORE House seats, a REAL takeover of the Senate and a White House win by Obama.  read more »