Happy 200!!!

HAPPY 200th PUBLISHED POST!!!!!

Yes, the 200th post is finally here and is a confirmation that I am still alive. Apologies for the extremely long hiatus since my last official post on 11/11/09, school work and a sense of lethargy on writing a blog that no one really reads made me reluctant to continue blogging. However, with Summer break here and a enormous list of bookmarked websites and news articles in my browser's "ToBePosted" folder have persuaded me to resume. Although I will try my best to include everything I have wanted to talk about (politics, entertainment, rants), I can only include items that have been preserved in that aforementioned bookmark folder; stuff I thought about while in the shower maybe forever lost to time. Details/opinions may also be brief. I will also add a date to give it some context.

Now, on to the celebrations! A quick recap of the last 100 posts! (The 100th post was published 2/5/09.) Get ready for a barrage of hyperlinks but trust me, it is worth the read:

• Cooper Union builds, completes behind schedule, and gets 'Ugly' (future posts show Cadillac and Time Warner Cable are lovin' it too)
• Health Care Reform: Why I Fought for my Uncle Gen
• My growing love for livability
• Re-electing Bloomberg on my own, but was it a mistake? (future post)
• I'm there for you, MTA, but we can all help
• My attempts at super-local reporting
• And I'm still looking for my Obama button :(

Here's to another 100 and thank you for stopping by and hope to see you again soon!


Post 200 Dated 5/19/10, see 200th post for reason
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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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Bloomberg '09: Better Transit for 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. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and on this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

About Video: Mike toured the five boroughs to talk to New Yorkers about Moving NYC, his plan to improve our city's transportation network. Watch Mike talk to supporters and explain why building mass transit for the 21st century is simply too important to our economy, to hard-working families in every borough, and above all, to our city's future.
Youtube Link

About Video: Faster express buses for outer boroughs, cleaner stations, a 311 transit hotline, upgraded security—Mikes plan to improve our city's transit means reforms that would work for all New Yorkers. Mike's plan would transform mass transit in New York City while stressing accountability to cut waste and save millions.
Youtube Link



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Bloomberg '09: Better Education for NYC Students

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and on this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

About Videos: Mike turned around the citys public schools by stressing accountability and focusing on results. When Bill Thompson was in charge of the Board of Education, it was dysfunctional, slow to adapt to better policies, and bloated. Mike cut millions in bureaucracy and placed it into the classroom. By cutting wasteful spending, stressing accountability, and demanding higher standards, Mike fixed a broken system and made our city's public schools work for our kids.


Youtube Link
Youtube Link




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Bloomberg '09: LGBT for Mike

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and on this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.


About Video: A group of influential LGBT community leaders have come together to form "LGBT for Mike." This group includes Richard Socarides, attorney and former Special Assistant to President Clinton, and Florent Morellet, community activist and eponymous restaurateur.

Youtube Link



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Bloomberg '09: Green Rooftops

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and on this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.


About Video: From the streets to the rooftops, Mikes Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan creates thousands of green jobs for New Yorkers by harnessing solar and wind power in new ways, retrofitting buildings, and developing new green technologies. Watch our new television ad here.

Youtube Link



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Bill Thompson = John McCain on the Inside?

New York City Mayoral Candidate Bill Thompson failed to call out one of his supporters earlier this year at a campaign stop. His supporter called City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, "She's a whore and you can quote me on that.... I'll call her a whore, and I'll drop my trousers and she can kiss my a--." Thompson did not call for him to apologize, and Bloomberg's campaign called this as, "Silence in the face of those comments speaks volumes." The lack of ethics from Thompson is similar to the actions of 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain, for when he failed to call out his supporters at his rallies called Obama a "terrorist" out loud, even at media-filled events.

Source: NY1 News

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Bloomberg '09: Endorsed by Sergeants Benevolent Association

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and is needed.

At his Manhattan campaign headquarters on Sunday, Mayor Bloomberg received the endorsement of the Sergeants Benevolent Association. The association, comprised of approximately 10,000 working and retired NYPD sergeants, acts as an advocate for those who work on the front line of the largest metropolitan police department in the U.S.

Video Link



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Bloomberg '09: Jobs

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven leadership, he can help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.



Video Link



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Bloomberg '09: 5 Boro Economic Opportunity Plan

Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Ch_V7mrbI

www.mikebloomberg.com

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Bloomberg '09: United Food & Commercial Workers - Local 1500 Endorses Mike

United Food & Commercial Workers - Local 1500 Endorses Mike for Re-election

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.



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Bloomberg '09: Office Openings

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

"Do you remember the time when we had to breathe in cigarette smoke?"

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Don't Block Bus Lanes says Stringer, DOT-TLC

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is on a quest for the NYPD to ticket drivers parked illegally in bus lanes. Bus lanes are designated lanes for bus use only during a 12 hour period, 7am to 7pm, to allow for faster bus travel. However, private vehicles and delivery trucks still park in those lanes, and the police aren't doing enough to stop this illegal behavior. Unfortunately, a plan to fund cameras that would capture the licenses of illegal vehicles was defeated thanks to someone in the New York State Assembly named David Gantt.

However, there is hope. The Metro New York edition reported 2 weeks ago that the NYC Dept. of Transportation, which is also leading a renewed attempt at bus tracking technology, will also work with the Taxi and Limousine Commission "to use cameras to bust cabbies in bus lanes." They will first start with the bus lanes on 34th St as well as the Select Bus Service BRT route in the Bronx. With regards to Albany lawmakers such as David Gantt who have relented against using cameras to catch red light runners, Mayor Bloomberg said, "It defies common sense."

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