Links Gone Wild: Health, Sesame St, Berlin Wall, Diarrhea

Just a bunch of links to news stories which I had been meaning to talk about, but just never found the time to, and now I don't really feel like leaving it backlogged any longer. Enjoy!

Health care reform barely passes House, awaiting annoying Senate: LA Times
Sesame Street Turns 40! I wish it could still make my day everyday (USA Today)
Google celebrates importance of Sesame Street in educating the world's youth: Google
20th Anniversary of fall of Berlin Wall, Communism?, but are world relations comparably better?: Associated Content
Why Won't My Parakeet Eat My Diarrhea?: Huffington Post

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3rd for Mike, 3 More for Obama

Congrats to New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg for winning a third term. I hope that he will continue the progress he has made in the city as well as build on new ones. However, many pundits say that he will have a harder time getting things done due to an increased Democratic control in the City Council, as well as a much smaller margin of victory at the polls (see images).



In addition, it has been one year since President Obama's historic election, and there is still plenty of work to be done, all hampered by the recession and the racism exuded by certain groups in the country. Let's hope for a better 3 years.

Best of luck to both men.

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Mike for Mayor

When Mike Bloomberg took mayoral control over the city's public schools, he got rid of the bureaucracy of the Board of Education, which was ineffective because it just could never decide on what was right for the city's students. Now, graduation rates, and test scores are up. Because of Mike's PlaNYC 2030, New York City is now the world model in pioneering environmental awareness, tackling climate change, and improving the quality of life in urban metropolises. Crime has fallen dramatically since Bloomberg took office. He works for $1 a year, which in these tough economic times, is a real boon for taxpayers. Which is why I, a Democrat who voted for President Obama in 2008, unequivocally place my full support behind Mike Bloomberg for Mayor today. And I'm not the only one:

• Endorsed by 60 newspapers including NY Daily News, NY Post, The New York Times, Staten Island Advance, Sing Tao, Crain's


• Endorsed by dozens of Democrats including James Gennaro, Former Mayor Ed Koch, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Bklyn Boro President Marty Markowitz, Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz, and Al Gore.


• Endorsed by 39 labor unions with one of the broadest coalitions of labor support in NYC mayoral history.


• Endorsed by people representing all of the different minorities in NYC.
  

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by making us safer, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we only give him $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg.

MIKE = PROGRESS, NOT POLITICS

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Bill Thompson: Bad for Transit & Livable Streets

As comptroller, he received millions in personal contributions while the city's pension declined. He gave billions to contractors who were willing to support him during his mayoral race. And if he becomes mayor, he will make quality of life in NYC worse.

Under Mike Bloomberg, the Department of Transportation has improved quality of life for pedestrians by increasing pedestrian safety with wider sidewalks, new pedestrian plazas, and safer routes to school for children. Bike lanes and bikers have increased in the past 8 years that enable more New Yorkers to commute by bike and to encourage more to take part in physical activity.

And yet, if Bill Thompson is elected as Mayor, he would do away with all of these safety and pedestrian space gains that other major cities worldwide have already instituted. He plans to get rid of the Dept. of Transportation's Commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan, despite her even championing the installation of working bus arrival signs, something the MTA hasn't been able to do for a decade.

Thompson has also attacked Bloomberg and the DOT's installation of bike lanes and how they were harming neighborhood businesses and would rip them out. Not true. In addition, he also claimed that the community was not consulted before bike lane placement. Also not true. In fact, what the DOT has done in the past several years has made NYC safer for pedestrians.

And although Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan to improve mass transit for the over 5.2 MILLION people that take it did not pass the ever-ineffective State Senate, Thompson barely has a plan to improve transit that moves NYC. Benjamin Kabak of SAS says on his transit plan, "...the one about objecting to MTA service cuts. He won’t promise to fund the MTA, but he will object!"

This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history that will continue to improve New York City's quality of life.. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

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Bloomberg '09: Really?!, Praise from Major Newspapers

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by making us safer, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.


About Video: Building on the momentum coming out of Mikes win at last nights debate, the Bloomberg campaign today released a new ad entitled Really
Youtube: Really?!


About Video:
Youtube: Steady Hand

MIKE = PROGRESS, NOT POLITICS

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Bloomberg '09: Bill Thompson Loves Bloomberg

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by making us safer, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.


About Video: How can Bill Thompson run for mayor when he spends so much time running away from his record? On Education. On pension pay-for-play... as much as Bill Thompson tries to run from his record, the facts are the facts. Watch.
Youtube: Facts are Facts


About Video: Thompson praises Bloomberg's record on NY1.
Youtube: Praise from Thompson Himself



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Bloomberg '09: Support from Al Gore, for Education, and Middle Class

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by making us safer, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.


About Video: Mike Bloomberg's independent leadership has kept crime at record lows and improved our citys schools. Find out more about Mike's strong leadership and his Middle Class Affordability Plan, which will offer a new prescription drug card to lower costs, expand financial aid for hard-working middle-class students, and open new doors to bring companies and jobs to New York.
Youtube: New York Minute


About Video: On education, the choice is clear.
Youtube: The Education Challenge


About Video: Al Gore praised Mike's environmental leadership, calling the Mayor real deal when it comes to leadership on the environment.
Youtube: FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE PRAISES MIKE



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Bloomberg '09: Endorsed by Colin Powell, Matt Damon, Oprah, & Bono!

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country by making us safer, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.


About Video:
Youtube: Colin Powell Endorses Mike!


About Video:
Youtube: Matt Damon & Mike Bloomberg make a special announcement


About Video:
Youtube: Mike Appears on the Oprah Winfrey Show


About Video:
Youtube: Mayor Bloomberg is Bono's Rockstar


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Bill Thompson: Corrupt

Are you voting for Bill Thompson for New York City mayor this Election Day? Well, think again. Thompson is embroiled with scandalous political connections and scandals that have and will cloud his judgment should he become our next mayor. Not only that, but as comptroller, he has handed city contractors millions in bonuses during arbitration on city projects. Check out these news reports:

Daily News: East Side nonprofit tied to political campaign work for Bill Thompson, Sheldon Silver

New York Times: As Pension Fund Lagged, Contributions to Comptroller Grew

This Tuesday, vote for the mayor who has been one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by cracking down on illegal guns, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment.



Thompson tried to help out his friend who was a felon, and now his friend is supporting Bloomberg:
NYMag-Bill Thompson’s Close Friend Really Terrible at Returning Favors

NYPost-Newly released letter from 1982 shows Bill Thompson begged federal judge to spare then boss from tax evasion charges

Politico-Fred Richmond Haunts NYC Dem

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