Remembering

Old DD is a confirmed peacenik and has been since the 60s. But I'm a peace lover that admires required national service too. Part of that service is a pure obligation to preserve and protect shared values. Therefore, on Memorial Day each year it is a personal honor for me to honor those graves with American flags on them. Some of those flags can be found in my family's various burial areas too. And most likely the same is true in your family's as well. We do remember and we are grateful. John McHugh wrote a nice post for this day. Here it is.

Now having written the above and sincerely meant it this blogger also wants to add that there is very ample room for major criticism of the war profiteers and the corporations that thrive on promoting armed conflict. A new satiric, black humored film that rightfully beats up the disgraceful Dick Cheneys and immoral Haliburtons of this world is being released this weekend. Here is a trailer for War, Inc.

Having read David McCollugh's 'Truman' recently I'm reminded that Harry made his first major mark in WW II by heading a Senatorial effort to expose the war profiteers for what they were. Is there no one in the Senate willing to step up again?

Elephant boys with loose lips

In an anonymous phoner today DD learned that a bunch of the well known local elephant boys were whooping it up in a public watering hole last evening. The celebrants were absolutely convinced that David Renzi will be mopping the floor with Darrel Aubertine in November. They were tossing around numbers in the vicinity of two million that the Senate Republicans would be tossing in to oust Darrel and that Davey was just the rock star who will do it easily with good old boy John Morgia as the campaign manager. So much for loose talk.
Uh, I got it at 5 to 3 you are way wrong elephant boys.

One of this blogers favorite democrats is 50 today. As this is being written the party is going on at Petes. Darrel Aubertine's legislative assistant Lee Willbanks is the birthday boy. When you see him ask him if he has noticed any body parts dropping off lately. This photo clearly shows you are into pizza Lee so you better start dropping by at Friday political pizza and become an official pizzatistia. (cam-photo courtesy of Watertown Mayor Jeffrey Graham)

Be fair people

Get off Hillary's back on the RFK assination comment already. It is obvious to
any objective person who watches this remark in its whole context that she is
simply remembering dates in June associated with primaries. Her point being that primaries many times have extended into June and that its too early to push her out. Nothing more, nothing less. Be fair people.
Here it is in context.

Hello Tim Currier! You aren't a democrat.

Cops usually are very good with reality. What happened to Tim Currier the Massena Village Police Chief? Here is reality:
You are not a registered democrat Tim. You aren't going to get the democrat line in the 118th because very qualified democrats actually registered in the party who are current office holders are seeking it. In order to gain the line for a September primary fight you have to get an 'out of party' authorization directly from the county chairs. That would be June O'Neill in St. Lawrence and Sean Hennessey in Jefferson.
Neither of those officially elected party chairs should or will sign an authorization for your September primary candidacy because it would do great damage to the party structure as a whole.
Forgetaboutit! Run on the WFP if you can get that. Or spend some time as a working democrat and come back later.
Here is my choice. She already is a democrat and a county legislator and a lawyer and has a strong resume of positions and achievements and a deep background as a member of our party.

Road trip today. Addie goes to Albany.

DD, Mark Pacilio, Libby Jenne and Addie Jenne Russell all hit the road to our state capitol today. Oh, Addie's little Aaron was along too. Addie's sister Libby lives in Albany and looked after Aaron while the two former Jefferson County Chairs were proud to escort Addie into a meeting with Assemblyman Ron Canistrari. Addie and the Assemblyman hit it off especially well because Addie used to work for Ron's collegue in the Assembly Marty Luster of Ithaca. Addie is seriously in consideration of a run for the Assembly in the 118th and she was able to take away from the meeting some serious points both pro and con. She promised both Mark and myself that she will definitely be making a final decision about running next week.

After returning I checked in with the republican connected Political IV blog and found out that Patty Ritchie is out as a 118th candidate. It seems there is a big tiff in northcountry republicanland. The party chairs in Jefferson (Sandy Corey) and St. Lawrence (Janet Kelly) aren't inclined to endorse Patty even though she supposedly won the Republican Assembly Committee poll. Therefore, Patricia pulled the plug on her own candidacy. Thats too bad for me because I really liked writing "Patty v. Addie."

After the plug pulling it looks like Canton's Keith Button may just step up in a primary to oppose Clayton newcomer Bobby Cantwell. Maybe Phil Reed will make a comeback too.

Keep checking your scorecards because the elephant candidates change fast. We'll try to keep you posted.

IN OTHER GOOD LOCAL BLOG STUFF OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS:
Stump Speech rags on JCC hiring practices.
I know I'm late with this one but NNY Follies had an excellent post on school budget votes--Carthage in particular.
My conservative blogger nemisis Watson in the Adirondacks ruminates about his northcountry Memorial Day.
And PCS at Adirondack Musing pointed us toward this game site that allows you to develop a national budget to spend 3.3 trillion bucks. Have at it by clicking here.

Is Patricia Ritchie not a candidate?

The St. Lawrence County Clerk is certainly maintaining way too low a profile for somebody supposedly getting ready to announce her candidacy in the 118th Assembly race. She blew off the Jefferson County Republican Spring Dinner last night. Has she set an announcement date? I wonder if she is rethinking the whole deal.\

Then I checked the oracle of the Jeff Republican establishment, Political IV. The florist wrote that Bobby Cantwell is the pick.
Darn. I was looking forward to a Addie v. Patty matchup.
But this Cantwell guy could be good too as soon as we find out something about him.
Get the opposition research people on that task.

Dave Renzi, good guy

DD got very tied up with family stuff today and I just found out this early evening that Watertown's David Renzi is running against Darrel in the 48th Senate District. I found it out by checking the WDT website. Good. That will work out just fine. Especially for the local political blogging community. This blogger wants you to know up front that I like David Renzi. He's energetic, smart, dedicated when motivated and he is a former amatuer boxer too. I really liked his attitude when he was serving as a public defender in Jefferson County. Maybe Dave doesn't remember this but the two of us were talking in front of the County Building on Arsenal St. and a really scruffy young adult male walks by David and says softly something like, "Thank you for what you did for me Mr. Renzi. I'm trying really hard to stay straight." Dave said, "Thats good. Call me if you need help."
I'm sure as the campaign goes on Dave will say or write something really arch-conservative that I'll jump on and take him to task. Or he'll dribble out that goofy shopworn republican line and I'll call him on it. But it won't be personal. I like Dave. As the headline says, he is a good guy.

Republican newcomer Bobby Cantwell has introduced himself in a video. That is really novel for this stage of a local campaign. Hey Patty Ritchie you better be looking over your shoulder in that primary. He looks good. Of course, he didn't say anything. Nothing about record, or vision, or issues. But looking good is a real attribute in politics.

Addie--Addie--Addie--the chant continues! And the attack dogs emerge.

There seems to be a pissy sort of comment strain on DD that repeatedly asks what has potential dem Assembly candidate Addie Jenne Russell actually done while in office. The inference is that she is just taking up space. Phooey! Ok here goes a few things that crossed my mind.

--Do you remember she led the opposition when a proposal came before the Board to seize personal property (such as cars) if somebody was arrested for low level alcohol or drug offences? I'm sure NNY Follies remembers that because a trememdous post appeared on his blog about the stupidity of that one.

--Do you remember she was one of the very few opposed to closing Whispering Pines because there was a lack of adequate elder care facilities in the county? How can you close an old folks home without having a destination in mind for the old folks?
Duh?

--Do you remember she vigorously opposed lifting the sales tax on gas because big oil could, and did, simply readjust the pump price and pocket the money? It turns out that most counties that did that are now retracing their steps, but not recalcitrant Jefferson.

--She worked with Carthage area hospital to get grants to expand healthcare service by adding a clinic.

--She put together and presented a proposal to a light manufacturer to locate in Theresa. That was worth maybe 50 jobs.

--She was, and is, very vocal about supporting the creation of ATV trails.

--As a local library board member I know she fought for, and voted for, additional funding for our local libraries. That action helped to secure the Gates grant to local libraries.

Frankly I could go on for pages. But I won't.
Thanks Addie you'll make a great assemblyperson making even more waves in the majority in Albany.

A short toot for Oot

Dem Congressional challenger Mike Oot picked up another county endorsement last night to add to Oneida, Madison and Jefferson. The largest of the eastern counties in the 23rd, Clinton Co., formally endorsed Oot last evening.
LATER ADD
Wednesday night Oswego County joined the parade.

The penultimate bad review...Ouch!

All you blogees know I'm a ballfan. You may have seen this NYP sports story by George King about the Yankees last night but let me share the first of it with those of who haven't. Think of a way to make this even worse. It might not be possible:
"The Yankees converted baseball's highest cathedral into the world's largest commode last night.

With everyone expecting the Dead Bat Society to get a jolt from Alex Rodriguez's return, the Yankees released an odor so toxic across The Bronx that Hazmat suits and nose plugs should have been given to those who walked into Yankee Stadium."

Mike Mussina pitched only 2/3rds of an inning before being yanked with the score 7 to zip. Derek Jeter had a throwing error that made all but one of those runs unearned. The final score was 12-2. Add to that Jeter got hurt taking a ball off his hand and LaTroy Hawkins got tossed for throwing at a batter's head. Manager Joe Griardi said after the game this may actually be the absolute bottom. You are right Joe it can't much worse for the AL east's last place team.

OK! Everybody hum the Sinatra version of NY, NY while you read this post

Both the TAP blog and DD are chuckling this morning about the venue for the New York State Republican Party's next big shindig. Here is a direct quote lifted from one of their press releases:

New York Republican State Committee Chairman Joseph N. Mondello today announced that State Committee will hold its annual State Dinner on Thursday, May 29th in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in New York City, highlighted by Special Guests Vice President Dick Cheney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Uh, aren't we dems supposed to be the party of the downstate interests? Have fun in the Sheraton Grand Ballroom you elephants but don't incessantly rag on those terrible downstaters too much this time. Remember, if you can make it there you can make it anywhere. If you can't read and hum at the same time you really are a republican.

Are we peaceloving? The world doesn't think so.

I know the self-rightous righties attitude will be 'so what' but a post on Northcountry Liberal's blog this morning bothers me. The proud NNY lib pointed out that the U. S. is perceived worldwide as 96th among 121 nations worldwide on a global peaceloving index.
Check it out.
This needs to start being repaired. Voting for the Bush third term is not part of the fix.

McHugh thumbs up--McCain thumbs down

Republican Congressman John McHugh recently supported funding the new GI bill with increased taxes on the way upper income earners in the county. John McCain doesn't even support the bill.
Here is a recent vote vets ad on the topic.

Addie--Addie--Addie

Lets start the chant and let it grow. Sheriff John Burns informed everybody this morning that the 118th Assembly race is a 'no go' for him so Addie NOW IS THE TIME. Its Addie Jenne Russell time.
She has the smarts, the savvy and the will to win! Its an old, shopworn, feminist cliche but, "...you go girl!" Addie is the our democratic potential candidate who can locally energize, mobilize and conquorize this fall. She will work well in the majority in the Assembly which, of course, is the only place where things actually get done.
Uh, Addie has not approved this message...yet.

The title is--AIMLESS WANDERINGS OF A FRETFUL MIND

One of the original Iraq war peaceniks in Jefferson County is an occasional blogger known as Peace-Poet. I've added her site to the DD blogroll on the right. Not perhaps incidentally she is a former GI. She wrote this last Friday on last weekend's peace march and rally:
I hope that this group is able to get the message out better than I did. I was part of a group that stood on Public Square in Watertown every Saturday, starting right before the war started, and ending some months later when our numbers dwindled to where we weren't too effective anymore. I think most of it was the lukewarm to downright nasty reception we got while speaking out for peace. Occasionally we got the soldier that would thank us for speaking out or the beep and thumbs up from a passing motorist, but that was few and far between.

Of course, that was a few years ago and I believe more and more people are against this war. I am glad that these groups are organizing this. More emphasis needs to be made on how our troops are being treated, or not being treated.

This blogger knows and respects that blogger. We've worked together in the past although she doesn't exactly revel in partisan politics.
Keep up the good work peace-poet. Keep fighting the anti fighting fight. Both of us believe in the masthead quotation on your blog:
Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. And however undramatic the pursuit of peace, the pursuit must go on. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF BULLET MICRO-STAMPING?

It might be coming to a semi-automatic handgun near you. Are you familiar with 'microstamping' shell casings? The NRA opposes it. I'm guessing 'gunnut' who calls the Mayor's hotline show regularly would oppose it as well.
As you might guess DD thinks the opposite. I'm not aware of how our local political contingent stands on the issue but the skimpy republican majority in the State Senate is opposed. Learn more about the process and the politics of the process by clicking here.
Comment away.

Reading the local blogs today

Thanks Adirondack Musing:
This morning NNY blogger Adirondack Musing pointed us to another blog that will allow you to find out how your local school district is officially performing. Remember we vote today. Click here to check on your school.
Thanks Northcountry liberal:
Another NNY blog, Northcountry Liberal, pointed us at this hilarious profile of Ann Coulter.
Get Annie's profile by
a click here.

Look out Patty. Duck! Here comes a hat at you.

Robert 'Bobby' Cantwell III of Clayton has been poised with his hat ready to toss for quite a while. According to the WDT he formally chucked it in the 118th Assembly republican primary this evening. Click here for the Times story. Now Patty Ritchie will have a Jefferson County opponent this September which will make it all the more interesting. Of course Patty hasn't formally declared her candidacy yet but DD has been repeatedly told that is just a formality. St. Lawrence County republicans v. Jefferson County republicans are always fun to watch.

IN OTHER LOCAL POLITICAL NEWS
Congressional candidate Mike Oot secured the endorsement of the executive committee of the Jefferson County Democrats. Oot's website
also lists endorsements from Oneida and Madison Counties. There are 11 counties in the Congressional District and their Oot endorsements are expected shortly.

Dede's storm clouds are lifting fast

Assemblyperson Dede Scozzafava just called and very graciously informed Danger Democrat that she has been in touch with the person that wrote the Good Old Boys blog financial piece about
she and brother Tom this morning that we linked to (below.) The real Dede told this DD that a retraction was expected to be forthcoming from this individual. Good. We like Ms. Scozzafava. Now if you would seriously ponder changing parties that would be really good.

Democrat Webb and Republican McHugh agree

Senator Jim Webb called John McHugh a thinking republican. To be fair Webb didn't do that directly but he did do it by generalization. John McHugh didn't cosponsor the new GI Bill in the House, but when it came time to vote our guy supported recent veterans. Now it looks like John may get a chance to vote positively again when W. pulls out his veto weapon. Here is Senator Webb indirectly commending our Congressman.

Webb could make a good VP, right?

The UN says we gonna be hungry

Ok, pull up a cup of joe and a honeyglazed and read all about a UN report that says that contemporary agriculture can't really feed everybody. Here it is.

Clouds gathering over Dede?

Dede and brother Tom Scozzafava are being robustly questioned and even severely critiqued on a NNY blog for the operation of their publically owned business enterprise. The writer indicates he owns some of their common stock. Danger Democrat has zero inside information, but I refer you to the original source that seems to be very conversant.
Click here.
As an elected, Dede certainly needs to be publically forthcoming to lift any clouds that may be gathering.
LATER ADD
This blog got a call from Ms. Scozzafava concerning that aforementioned blog post put up by the Good Old Boys. She told me a retraction would be forthcoming.
OK! Clear it up fast Dede. Thats the right way.

POLITICALLY DEDE HAS TO DECIDE WHERE TO JUMP ON THIS ONE TOO.
Assemblyperson Dede is openly seeking the Working Families Party endorsement
for the fall campaign. The WFP now has heartily brought forth a tax plan to double the taxes paid by the richest New Yorkers. All the details are here in The Sun. Dede's registered home base party, the republicans, reject any severe taxing of the wealthiest New Yorkers. Uh, where you gonna come down on this one lady?
This isn't a proposition that would allow you to be on both sides simultaneously.
I can tell you, for sure, that democrat Jeremy Barlow wholeheartedly endorses the
WFP proposal. And for the record Jeremy isn't married to a WFP insider and decider.