Before I get into this column, let me preface it a bit. At this point in time, I am strongly leaning towards supporting Bill Thompson in next year’s mayoral race. I finally got to that place while I was in Miami for a wedding, about two weeks ago. Some political friends that I respect convinced me to come aboard the Billy Thompson train; so I am heading there. I must also confess that although I still have a weak spot for councilmember Avella, I am realistic enough to recognize when a candidate will not be competitive unless he can raise much more money than Avella has. I have had my share (and fill) of symbolic runs at public office, if I support a candidate now he or she must have a realistic shot at winning. I am getting too old for all that insurgent “protest” shit.

So with all that as a backdrop, why am I writing a column about Marty Markowitz? Only because I hate when political people talk crap, that’s why. I hate when elected officials and political activists (black, white, brown, whatever) with big mouths, try to denigrate my political opinions.

You see over the last couple years, I have had some heated discussions with quite a few people (I wouldn’t name them here) that Marty Markowitz is a viable mayoral candidate. And before you go deep on me, let me say that I know if Marty runs, he will hurt both Billy Thompson’s and Anthony Weiner’s chances a bit; but that’s not the point. Since 1984 I have worked to unseat Markowitz; I stopped in 2001 after he won Brooklyn’s borough presidency. I was never a Marty fan -unlike many of my Caribbean-American brothers and sisters; but again that’s another story. When he ran for Boro Prez in 2001, I supported one of his opponents (Ken Fisher). Marty has a long memory/lol.

In 2004, I was running for district leader when both he and I happened to be on a podium in front of thousands of people. It was an event in Brooklyn’s Pakistani/Asian-American community on Coney Island Avenue. I leaned over to Marty and said; “how about endorsing me for district leader right here and now (at the East-Indian /Pakistani event)”.
He replied: “Hackshaw, did you endorse me when I ran for Boro Prez?”
I said: “No”.

Then with typical Marty scowl he gave a one-word reply: “Well!”
No endorsement for me kids. LMAO.