From an emailed press releas:

Brooklyn, NY) Senator Parker has introduced a bill (S.2981) that would raise the price of cigarettes from an average of $10 a pack to an average cost of $11.65 a pack. The expected earnings of this increase will be $191 million dollars, this doesn’t include the immeasurable societal health benefits. Under Senator Parker’s legislation the money from the cigarette tax will not be used to balance the budget. Instead he has created a dedicated fund to be used for smoking cessation and prevention programs for adults, teenagers and youth.

You know, that's quite lovely, caring and involved, for want of a better word. But if Senator Parker really wants to make this world a better place, maybe he should start with some anger management classes, so he doesn't completely lose it when someone tries to take a picture of him.

It has been a while since I did a “Vines” column: so here goes. As I always caution, this type of column is a bit different to my regular columns, and as such, it should not be held up to the same rigorous scrutiny (and standards) as the others. Here I do a bit more speculating than I normally do: so keep that in mind as you search for ways to jump my blog-bones (lol).  read more »

Dear Editors:
The constitution of this country reserves a special place for newspapers in this unfinished democracy: a special place which comes with specific responsibilities to the polity. Newspapers are expected to inform and edify the masses beyond the mundane day to day events of life in this city, state and nation. Its columnists, free-lance journalists and editorial boards are also expected to take positions on issues, in order to stimulate debate and discussion amongst elites, professionals and ordinary folks alike. Thus the roles and functions of any newspaper are quite important to the theory of democracy. And despite the fact that television, radio, the internet and other contemporary mediums within modern communications technology, have altogether surpassed newspapers as the main mode of information-gathering for most people, the responsibilities mandated by the constitution remain the same.  read more »

In New York City, political activists know that September is primary month; and soon enough Democrat State Senator Kevin Parker faces an old nemesis (Wellington Sharpe) in a primary for Brooklyn’s 21st senatorial district. It will be an intriguing contest: so fasten your seat belts all you political junkies.
The relationship between these two individuals has been “volatile” (to say the least). They have been in and out the courts for various reasons -with criminal, civil and political charges flying left and right. Sharpe has filed two legal actions against Parker: one civil and the other with criminal implications. Senator Parker has also filed twice in court: both times he attempted to knock Sharpe off the ballot. Parker has failed in both his legal political attempts to avoid a primary battle with Sharpe. Sharpe’s actions are a bit different in terms of results.  read more »

Those of you who have been following my columns and posts for the past five years must be aware that I have written many columns directly relating to Senator Kevin Parker’s explosive temper. Initially there were those detractors who would come up on the blogs to attack me for highlighting his lack of decorum and his uneven (sometimes volatile) temperament. And then there were those who suggested I was angry for not being the senator, since I did initially consider running for his seat (when newly created in 2002). I also demonstrated that he lacked integrity, for going back on his word during the early 2002 campaign for the 21st senatorial district. It was one of the reasons why I withdrew from the race back then.

The truth is this, politically speaking: I know Parker quite well; and for many years now. I have also been directly in front of a few of Kevin’s meltdowns. I have seen the crazed look on his face during a blowup. I have seen the wild eyes reflecting someone totally OUT OF CONTROL. It is a bit scary.  read more »