The First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press, not freedom for the press. Journalists show a surprising inability to recognize the distinction. Consider the reactions to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to turn down James Risen’s appeal. Risen, a reporter for The New York Times, refused to comply with a subpoena from federal prosecutors seeking information about a source he …
Op-Ed: Cuomo’s Rancid WFP Deal By Hon. RICHARD BRODSKY
Voters are Fed Up with Corrupt Bargains The headline is “Cuomo Gets Working Families Party Ballot line.” But that’s the least of it. In fact, economics and politics collided — and politics won. The last-minute deal struck between the fiscally right-wing governor and the altogether left-wing political party was ripe and rancid. It came with threats, pounded tables and wounded …
WEIR ONLY HUMAN Race Baiting ATM Machine for the Opportunist By BOB WEIR
Once upon a time, you could say something offensive during a private conversation with friends and associates, resulting in some criticism and limited social ostracism. That was during a time when you had the free speech rights provided under the Constitution. If you expressed biased and/or bigoted opinions on issues and people, you’d be judged by your peers and treated …
I’m A-Wondering… Sterling, Bundy, Republicans and the Good Ole’ Days of Slavery By Hon. RICHARD BRODSKY
Every society will produce it’s share of misfits and crazy people. No society should be judged by them. But when a pattern emerges, we ignore it at our peril. And when powerful people embrace them, it’s a crisis. We need to tarry over the specifics only briefly. Cliven Bundy, the favorite of the Tea Party/armed militia/Sean Hannity wing of American …
OP-ED: Yonkers Police Serve Serve Our City By Detective KEITH OLSON
YONKERS, NY – April 18, 2014 — In articles centered on Yonkers Police Officers Alex Della Donna and William Pataky, the statement is made: “Taken together, the lawsuits paint a grim picture of the officers’ behavior.” That could not be more misleading.
SENATOR BALL’S CORNER: “The Journal News” Just Turned Desperation Into Art Form By Senator GREG BALL
BREWSTER, NY – April 13, 2014 –Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson), issuing the following statement regarding today’s Journal News article, “Cracks in the facade: Mahopac incidents raise questions about intolerance.” “It is widely understood that the newspaper business isn’t doing quite as well these days, but The Journal News just turned desperation into an art form. For …
OP-ED: Dumbo’s on First, Jumbo’s on Second By ANONYMOUS
Not a fan of former Senator Nick Spano, but the amount of wool he’s pulled over the head of McLaughlin/Spencer/Spring and the Irish majority of the City Council in this matter, is amazing. Sadly, for them, they don’t see it; don’t understand it, and are oblivious as to that which Nick has planned for them down the road.
OP-ED: How to Get the Port Authority Under Control By RICHARD BRODSKY
The New Jersey Legislature has an important task in unraveling the events that led to the Fort Lee traffic jams and other actions by the governor and his appointees. The public interest and concern are legitimate. Let the chips fall where they may.
OP-ED: Private Sector Helping Stop The Flow Of Illegal Guns By MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND ERIC T. SCHNEIDERMAN
Op-Ed Published on March 24, 2014, in the San Jose Mercury News Attorney General Eric Schneider (left) and Honorable Michael Bloomberg (right). The debate over sensible gun policies remains stalled in Washington, a victim of special-interest politics and congressional timidity. But that hasn’t prevented progress in the fight to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and other dangerous …
Don’t Dictate Language By DANIEL WARD
Legislating on what people speak widens cultural divides. The Ukrainian conflict has highlighted the instability of nations in which languages and cultures compete for dominance. Despite fundamental differences, parallels have been drawn with the situation in the U.S., where Spanish is now being seen as a challenge to English in some areas. Although there is no danger of a Ukrainian- …