After the 2000 fiasco and the refusal of many Green Party members to recognize their abysmal mistake that year, most liberal Democrats I knew turned against the Green Party. I for one couldn't vote Green for years.

Well, once the Greens refused to follow Nader, the architect of the 2000 fiasco whose ego only grew even more giganormous after that fiasco, into further oblivion, some of us started to watch the Greens with some renewed interest. Even many former Greens I know won't vote Green in any race where there is a close race between a Republican and a Democrat. Eight years of Bush is a high price to pay for a protest vote.

But there are some cases where voting Green starts to make sense, particularly in NYC where lousy, corrupt or right-wing Democrats coast to victory because they have machine backing and the Republican Party in NYC is about as pathetic as you can find.  read more »

As Tuesday's primary approaches, Josh Skaller picks up two more endorsements: Congressman John Hall and a somewhat surprising endorsement from Gatemouth of Room 8.

From the press release of Congressman Hall's endorsement:

"In Congress, I've worked for a real environmental agenda and for alternate energy sources," Hall said. "Josh Skaller will fight that fight in the New York City Council.

"In 2006, I was honored that Josh worked on my campaign to win New York's 19th Congressional District," said Hall. "Today, I'm proud to endorse Josh Skaller because he has a true vision for a green New York."

Skaller's green credentials run deep. He was the first candidate to support an EPA Superfund designation for the infamously polluted Gowanus Canal. Skaller envisions a Gowanus Canal that evolves into the center of the new green economy, empowering Brooklyn's working class while greening the borough...

"New York City should be a leader, not a follower, in environmental stewardship," Skaller said. "Where are the pilot programs? I've met New Yorkers who are trying to make sustainability happen, but city government isn't doing its part to help them...  read more »

This comes from former police officer, founding member of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, and State Senator Eric Adams:

Dear Neighbor,

I’ve represented the people of Boro Park, Park Slope and Windsor Terrace (among others) in the State Senate since 2006. Before that, I served the people of New York City as a police officer for over 20 years.

As a cop, I’ve dealt with some of New York’s worst criminals. As a senator, I’ve dealt with lobbyists, Albany bigwigs, and greedy power players – and let me tell you, sometimes they’re just as bad.

In Albany, I’ve stood up to the power-obsessed, self-dealing insiders and focused on serving my constituents. In City Hall, we need someone who will do the same thing.

We need Josh Skaller.

Josh Skaller has the grit you need to make it in City Hall. I saw it in Josh from the first time we met – he has a fierce resolve that belies his friendly nature and his easygoing smile.  read more »

I have been writing about the 39th City Council race, initially because my friend, Josh Skaller, a gentleman I have utmost respect for, was running. But by now I find I have an additional reason to write about it. One (and ONLY one) of Josh's opponents, Brad Lander, has proven himself so obnoxious (to quote other candidates in the race) that I consider him temperamentally unfit to be in the City Council. Although I suppose he would be neither the first nor last obnoxious City Councilman, but personally I would prefer almost ANY of the other candidates over Brad.

Brad's most recent obnoxious political attacks have involved the child of one of his opponents, Josh Skaller's son, Wolf. To me, this is low even for Brad, and I have written before about Brad's well-known pettiness, anger management problems and obnoxious behavior. Some people have accused me of focusing on minor points regarding Brad's personality rather than on issues (like Brad's anti-Israel positions, his alliances with homophobic and intolerant politicians like Dov Hikind, the fact that developers consider him their favorite candidate, etc.) But in some ways when a politician's personality becomes so obnoxious, it becomes an issue in itself.

Brad's attacks involving an opponent's son further convinces me that Brad's temper and personality ARE an issue in themselves in this race. Brad's attacks have brought a response from Wolf's mother, Kelly Skaller, in an email to Josh's supporters. Here is a mother's response in defense of her child against Brad Lander's attacks:

My husband, Josh Skaller, is running for City Council. We have an eight- year-old son, Wolf. By the time you read this, I may have given birth to our daughter, who is due any day now.

As you may know, Josh and I struggled to find the school that was most appropriate for our son and his special needs.

Unfortunately, one of my husband's opponents, Brad Lander, has decided to make our schooling choice an issue in this campaign. These attacks leave me no choice but to respond.  read more »