NY State Senator, Malcolm Smith - Republican Coup!

[WampusCrandle]

Democratic NY State Senator, Malcolm Smith was voted out hours ago in an attempt to have Republicans take control. (http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20090608/FREE/906089971)

http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2009/01/large_0112smith.jpg

[boosterp]

Wow, sounds like a crazy power struggle that will end up in the courts.

[WampusCrandle]

Wow, sounds like a crazy power struggle that will end up in the courts.

the only reason it was a bigger story to me more than other stories is because my dad was almost done doing a deal with him and now he is gone. A massive deal out the window.

But, yeah, it's gonna be a big problem. Here's Malcolm Smith statement:

“This was an illegal and unlawful attempt to gain control of the Senate and reverse the will of the people who voted for a Democratic Majority. Nothing has changed, Senator Malcolm A. Smith remains the duly elected Temporary President and Majority Leader. The real Senate Majority is anxious to get back to governing, and will take immediate steps to get us back to work.”

[Sinestro]

Is that one of the Wayans brothers?

[HBox]

I read a little bit about one of the two Democrats who switched today. He sounds like a real winner. From wiki:

Monserrate was arrested on December 19, 2008 and accused of slashing Karla Giraldo in the face with a broken drinking glass during an argument in his Jackson Heights apartment.[7] He was arraigned the same day and pled not guilty to the charges of second-degree assault, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If Monserrate is convicted, state law requires that he be expelled from the Senate.[8][9]
His companion initially made statements to hospital staff and the police which led to his arrest. She later changed her account to match that of Monserrate namely that the cuts on her face near her left eye from a broken glass were an accident and she is no longer cooperating with the investigation.[10] Sources have discussed with the media evidence including video surveillance that support the charges of assault and the attempt to cover it up.[11][12][13]
On February 27, 2009, the order of protection which prevents Monserrate from having contact with Giraldo was extended over the objections of Monserrate's attorney.[14][15]
On March 23, 2009, a Queens grand jury indicted Monserrate on three counts of felony assault on Giraldo and three counts of misdemeanor assault.[16] If convicted, the maximum sentence would be seven years.[17] Monserrate denied the charges, saying "Listen, the reality is that from the very beginning I have said this was an accident. My girlfriend said it's an accident. This is an accident and we look forward to the dismissal of all these charges based on the truth."[18] At arraignment, he pled not guilty to all charges.

[epo]

This looks like awesomely grease-ball shit. I can't wait to read a full-account once the dust settles.

[KatPw]

Reports from Albany suggested that the events were orchestrated in part by Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano, the former gubernatorial candidate who has been trying to change the way Albany operates.
I can't stand Golisano, and this is just one more reason. He doesn't want to pay more taxes (the plan was to raise the percentage that wealthy people pay). He keeps writing editorials about how he is fleeing to Florida so he won't have to pay so much. And now he does this. Motherfucker. He ran for Governor 3 times and no one wanted him. Republicans really have become the party of the crybabies.

[Jujubees2]

I just hope the NJ and Conn National Guard are on alert! We could need them.

[Judge Smails]

Last week:
http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2009/01/large_0112smith.jpg


Today:
http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/9/9/19/f_negrocommunm_794d4fb.jpg

[EliSnow]

You know, New Yorkers like to brag about how they are the center of the world and NYC is the capitol of the world, and everyone else is rubes. I know cause I often felt that way.

But then you look at NY politics and see how corrupt and shady it is, it is unbelievable.

[joethebartender]

You know, New Yorkers like to brag about how they are the center of the world and NYC is the capitol of the world, and everyone else is rubes. I know cause I often felt that way.

But then you look at NY politics and see how corrupt and shady it is, it is unbelievable.

yeah...
We won't stand for corruption here in Jersey either!

[Death Metal Moe]

yeah...
We won't stand for corruption here in Jersey either!

Yea, we bend over and grab our ankles for it!

[El Mudo]

But moments later Mr. Skelos issued a statement proclaiming himself majority leader, which he had been until Democrats ousted the GOP in January, having won 32 of the 62 seats in the November elections.

“A new bipartisan, coalition elected today has delivered on the promises for reform that the Senate Democrat leadership failed to keep,” the statement said.


WTF? When did the NY senate become British? How can you have a coalition government in a non-parliamentary government body?

[joethebartender]

Yea, we bend over and grab our ankles for it!

I blame the Aytalians.

[HBox]

Last week:
http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2009/01/large_0112smith.jpg


Today:
http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/9/9/19/f_negrocommunm_794d4fb.jpg

He turned from Denzel Washington into Forrest Whittaker.

[tanless1]

article says theyve been republican led for 40 years prior to dem. they were tax'n the shit out of you then as well.

[Syd]

article says theyve been republican led for 40 years prior to dem. they were tax'n the shit out of you then as well.

northern new york state has been fucking over new york city for years and this is just more of the same, except some people are pretending to represent new york city (while living upstate)

[joeyballsack]

northern new york state has been fucking over new york city for years and this is just more of the same, except some people are pretending to represent new york city (while living upstate)

How did this have anything to do with Northern NY ?

If you look at all the players involved, they are pretty much all from downstate.

[nate1000]

You see this shit from today?

"With protesters from Democratic-leaning groups trying to block lawmakers from entering the chamber, the session fell apart immediately when the official bills that the Senate was about to move to the floor were locked in a desk by Democratic officials seeking to prevent the Republican-backed coup group from voting. Republicans did not have keys to the desk."

"Espada also said there has been criminal harassment engaged by unnamed people trying to turn back the coup. He said his Bronx house was burglarized Monday night — just hours after he led the coup — and various files in his home office were stolen."

"Espada said earlier that Senate Democrats asked Gov. David A. Paterson to change the locks on the Senate chamber to keep out the coup backers; the Democratic governor rejected the idea.

The governor also halted a request that a top Senate Democratic official made to the superintendent of the State Police to send troopers to guard the Senate doors, two state officials said. "



http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/699639.html

[nate1000]

http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2009/01/large_0112smith.jpg

love the diversity represented in that pic.

[brettmojo]

northern new york state has been fucking over new york city for years and this is just more of the same, except some people are pretending to represent new york city (while living upstate)
Strike that... Reverse it.

[TheMojoPin]

love the diversity represented in that pic.

Yeah, that's the problem.

[HBox]

Yeah, that's the problem.

Black man place such a burden on me I can hardly breathe.

[KatPw]

Can we dock the pay of the NYS Senate while they fight like children? Seriously, hit them where it hurts.

[topless_mike]

Can we dock the pay of the NYS Senate while they fight like children? Seriously, hit them where it hurts.

:thumbup:

[nate1000]

Another banner day for NYS politics:

"Albany Democrats Lock Themselves in the Senate Chamber "

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/nyregion/24albany.html?hp

[HBox]

Living in New Jersey I never thought I could look at another state's government and feel good about mine but that day has come.

[nate1000]

Can we dock the pay of the NYS Senate while they fight like children? Seriously, hit them where it hurts.

From your computer to the Governor's ears:

"A couple hours after Gov. David A. Paterson threatened to halt state senators’ paychecks and per diems until they start passing important stalled legislation, Democrat and Republican leaders said Wednesday night that the Senate would meet today in special session."

Link: http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/713908.html

[nate1000]

And the beat goes on:
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/720254.html

[brettmojo]

Can someone please bomb the capitol building. Holy shit, enough already. I can't wait to get out of this state.

[foodcourtdruide]

OMG, what a disaster. I give Paterson credit for not ackowledging the stunt the democrats tried to pull. Both sides are acting incredibly childish and preventing any progress.

I'm pretty embarrassed to be from NY. I wonder what the situation would be like if Spitzer had remained Governor? I get a sense that this is happening because democrats lack leadership to squash these mini-republican rebellions.

[badmonkey]

I'm pretty embarrassed to be from NY. I wonder what the situation would be like if Spitzer had remained Governor?

Just tell everybody you're from Minnesota. :devil2:

[boosterp]

I read somewhere that this had already cost NY millions and nothing is still getting done.