The Hayseeds blog, No. 248 for the week starting March 16, 2008.
March 1, 2008
Hayseeds No. 247
March 16, 2008
Hayseeds No. 248
March 23, 2008
Hayseeds No. 248
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“Many people watching the 30-member Senate minority are feeling anxious. They wonder if this group is ready for prime time.”
“Treadwell already has given enough to trigger provisions of the so-called millionaire's amendment, which allows his opponents' contributors to exceed the usual minimums, and he ranks third on a list of self-funding Congressional candidates compiled by The Center for Responsive Politics.”
“Hillary and Bill Clinton have been talking up the idea that Barack Obama, whom they have called too inexperienced to be president, would make a strong running mate on a ticket headed by the New York senator.”
“These usually loyal democrats have made it clear that they will not vote for Obama. They are infuriated that a woman with exemplary qualifications could be supplanted by a man with limited experience and scant qualifications.”
“Police say the investigation is under way, and Albany County District Attorney David Soares has gotten involved. That’s good news, because the allegations are serious and we’re dubious, frankly, about the department’s ability to investigate them impartially. If nothing else, the department should, as a matter of course, automatically forward a copy of all such complaints to the Police Review Board. Handling it the way they did looks just awful.”
“Tonight the Albany County legislature will be discussing the hotel tax and funding for the convention center. Chris Higgins is proposing that they table this issue until they know more about the status of the center. Here is what the governor's people had to say when asked about the extra $200 million that would be required to build it:”
“The Brooks campaign has confirmed that Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings will be endorsing former Hillary Clinton aide Tracey Brooks in her run for congress to replace retiring Rep. Mike McNulty.”
“Now, they type an e-mail message like “You are ugly.” They might copy a picture of their victim from a social networking Web site like MySpace, paste it onto an image of a donkey pulled off the Internet, then send it off to hundreds of people, who can then forward it to hundreds or thousands more.”
“In fact, the supply of central office codes, the first three numbers of a seven-digit telephone number, is expected to be depleted by 2010, James Denn, a spokesman for the PSC, said Friday.”
“Obama supporter Tom Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, said that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) running as vice president with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the top of the ticket would "turn the page" in their increasingly bitter battle for the Democratic presidential nomination.”
“The state departments of Environmental Conservation and Health are proposing to remove contaminants from the former Fort Plain Manufactured Gas Plant in the village, as part of the state’s overall plan to clean up former manufactured gas plant sites.”
“This year’s early Easter holiday, the unofficial start to the spring and summer travel season, might see gas prices climb even higher, putting a deeper hole in consumers’ pocket books and wallets.”
"Mechanicville has passed a resolution to support the state Property Taxpayers Protection Act proposed by the state Assembly’s minority members, said Mayor Anthony Sylvester. The proposition calls for property tax reform that limits the amount of money that school districts can raise through local tax levies. The raise would be limited to 4 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever was less, said Sylvester."
“It's getting lonely being a Republican Congressional representative in New York. And it might get lonelier after the November elections.”
“More improvements will follow as part of the Capital District Transportation Authority's development of a so-called Bus Rapid Transit line between Schenectady and Albany along Route 5. The BRT service is expected to include an enclosed station on the Colonie Center side that will be a transfer hub for bus riders and a new shelter on the Northway Mall side.”
“ The university suspended Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi." In it, Bilal portrays himself as a suicide bomber sent on a mission to assassinate President Bush. Bilal hacked into an al-Qaida online game called "The Night of Bush Capturing" for his exhibit. The game was created as a reaction to a similar online game, called "Quest for Saddam," where players targeted the late Iraqi dictator."
“Moreover, the surcharge would be in keeping with a progressive tax system based on the principle that those who have more should be expected to pay more. Many fees and some taxes, such as the sales tax, fall disproportionately on those who are least able to afford them. But not millionaires.”
“Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine, below, who won election to the State Senate last month, was quickly offered membership in the self-described Morality Caucus, a group of three Democratic state senators. Family men all, they frequently dine together when they are in Albany for the legislative session, and have a standing pledge to their wives to be back in their hotel rooms at a decent hour.”
“No, this time it’s state Insurance Superintendent Eric R. Dinallo, a top aide who helped Spitzer take on Wall Street years ago. Now that Spitzer is governor, Dinallo has been knee-deep in attempts to stabilize the bond insurance market before the trouble spread. The efforts culminated with last week’s announcement of Ambac Financial Group’s sale of $1.5 billion in stock in a bid to safeguard its top-notch rating.”
In an editorial called Prison Nation, the New York Times looks at our imprisonment culture in very stark terms.
After three decades of explosive growth, the nation’s prison population has reached some grim milestones: More than 1 in 100 American adults are behind bars. One in nine black men, ages 20 to 34, are serving time, as are 1 in 36 adult Hispanic men...
Criminal behavior partly explains the size of the prison population, but incarceration rates have continued to rise while crime rates have fallen. Any effort to reduce the prison population must consider the blunderbuss impact of get-tough sentencing laws adopted across the United States beginning in the 1970’s. Many Americans have come to believe, wrongly, that keeping an outsized chunk of the population locked up is essential for sustaining a historic crime drop since the 1990’s.
In fact, the relationship between imprisonment and crime control is murky. Some portion of the decline is attributable to tough sentencing and release policies. But crime is also affected by things like economic trends and employment and drug-abuse rates. States that lagged behind the national average in rising incarceration rates during the 1990’s actually experienced a steeper decline in crime rates than states above the national average, according to the Sentencing Project, a nonprofit group.
Interesting.
“The election of Bill Foster, a physicist, for the 14th Congressional District provided special satisfaction to Democrats since it means that their party in the past two years has won seats held by two of their arch foes — Mr. Hastert, the former speaker who left Congress last fall, and Tom DeLay, the former House majority leader from Texas.”
“About 150 family, friends and supporters showed up at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians Hall in Albany on Sunday for Shahinfar's official entry into the race. No Republicans have entered the contest thus far.”
“As police agencies prepare for stepped up traffic enforcement along part of the I-787 corridor with a high number of fatalities, county legislators tonight will consider giving the sheriff authorization to apply for a state grant to cover his costs.”
“Now, the governor wants to raise from $5 to $20 the tax motor vehicle owners pay the state through their insurance premiums. Given our dicey economic climate, this is politically nothing short of insane. This is no time to sock the middle class, and particularly the working poor, who use a vehicle as a necessity, not a luxury.”
It should be interesting to see the Assembly as they put forward their response to the governor's budget this week, along with the Senate likely doing the same thing in their house.
Apparently the Governor and Senate Majority Leader are getting along, despite a rocky relationship with Bruno's majority narrowing and the governor's work on a Democratic senate behind the scenes.
The Assembly Budget Resolutions, most likely, once online will be the B-amendments of the governor's budget bill. The A-amendments are the governor's 21-day admendments.
Read them on public.leginfo.state.ny.us:
| Appropriation Bill No. | 2008-2009 | Language Bill No. |
| A9800 / S6800 | Public Protection andGeneral Government Budget | A9806 / S6806 |
| A9801 / S6801 | Legislature andJudiciary Budget | ---- |
| A9802 / S6802 | State Debt Budget | ---- |
| A9803 / S6803 | Education, Labor, andFamily Assistance Budget | A9807 / S6807 |
| A9804 / S6804 | Health and MentalHygiene Budget | A9808 / S6808 |
| A9805 / S6805 | Transportation,Economic Development and Environmental Conservation Budget | A9809 / S6809 |
| ---- | Revenue Bill | A9810 / S6810 |
Hope that is helpful. Have fun reading the budget bills.
There was a lot of talk about how Obama had a bad week last week. It turns out however, that delegate-wise he only lost one to Clinton's total, so he's still a long ways up.
Honestly, I think there is too much attention paid to the Clinton-Obama fight. It's only the middle of March, and it's 180 days until the Democratic convention. The convention, essentially is almost as far away as the old Ed Kosiur and George Amedore race last summer. So it's not like it's that close to now.
It looks like he's on the WCSS Amsterdam Radio yesterday. It should be interesting to see what he has to say.
While I have to admit to being fairly critical about the man's interview last week, I give him very high marks for being so public on his opinions. He has the courage to talk, even if I can't agree with everything he says, or that he sometimes comes across as being ignorant (not that I'm much different).
“Mr. Spitzer, who was huddled with his top aides early this afternoon, had hours earlier abruptly canceled his scheduled public events for the day. He is set to make an announcement about 2:15 this afternoon at his Manhattan office.”
Not much here, but this is what Daily Politics Blog is saying.
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer is expected to discuss reports that he may be linked to the Emperor’s Club VIP, the allegedly illegal operation running expensive women to wealthy men, according to an insider.
“The New York Times is reporting that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has told senior advisers that he had been involved in a prostitution ring.”
“The complete unofficial NYCRR is now available online. This initial release of the online NYCRR does not yet include a table of contents or all graphic images. To find desired text, visitors simply enter a search term or NYCRR citation. The table of contents and graphic images will be available in the near future.”
“New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer scheduled an abrupt announcement Monday from his office as news reports were breaking that the governor told staffers he was involved in a prostitution ring.”
“The New York Times is reporting that Gov. Eliot Spitzer has told senior advisers that he had been involved in a prostitution ring.”
While the article Prostitution Case Features Prosecutors of Corruption in the New York Sun doesn't mention Spitzer specifically, it does talk about the investigation involving high ranking officials.
Prosecutors specializing in government corruption cases are leading the investigation into what authorities say was a prostitution service that charged up to $5,500 an hour — suggesting that the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan may have evidence that a public official hired a prostitute.
But lawyers said prosecutors might use that information to search for other illegal conduct.
"If a public official is making $112,000 a year and he is spending $3,500 a night on a call girl, you're going to ask some questions," a prominent defense attorney who is not connected to the case, Edward Hayes, said, adding that the "feds are in desperate straits if they're making call girl cases."
"If there are public officials involved, prosecutors will focus on that like a laser beam to see if there is anything else going on," the former federal prosecutor said. For instance, prosecutors could subpoena records connected to a credit card used to hire a prostitute to see if any expenditures involved misuse of state money or campaign funds.
Let's hope this is all wrong. It would be bad for our governor to fall over something so stupid and immoral.
“Details about the prostitution ring were not immediately clear, but last week federal prosecutors in Manhattan filed conspiracy charges against four people accusing them of running a prostitution ring that charged wealthy clients in Europe and the U.S. thousands of dollars for prostitutes.”
“THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. PLEASE REFRESH FOR UPDATES.”
“At a press conference outside the Rensselaer County Jail, the minority Democrats on the county Legislature asked that the County Executive and majority Republicans submit a shared services grant application to the state to study converting the McGregor or Hudson state correctional facilities into a regional facility for counties.”
“The media advisory announcing the governor's 2:15 p.m. press conference arrived in my in-box at 1:53 p.m. It is now 2:51 p.m. and every reporter in the city has hustled his or her butt here to Gov. Eliot Spitzer's downstate office on Third Avenue.”
“A public forum to discuss the future of the Hoosick Street corridor will be held at 6 tonight at Oakwood Presbyterian Church, 10th and Hoosick streets.”
“The governor’s aides appeared shaken, and one of them began to weep as they waited for him to make his statement at his Manhattan office. Mr. Spitzer was seen leaving his Fifth Avenue apartment just before 3 p.m. with his wife of 21 years, Silda, heading to the news conference.”
“Sources tell Eyewitness News that Governor Eliot Spitzer is going to resign, after being linked to a prostitution ring in a published report.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer has told officials in his administration that he was involved in a prostitution ring, the New York Times reported. He is expected to make an announcement shortly. Fox News reported that he has been indicted and will resign.”
“I have acted in a way that violated the obligations to my family and that violates my — or any — sense of right and wrong. I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public whom I promised better. I do not believe politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what is best for the State of New York. I am disappointed that I failed to live up to the standard that I expect of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family. I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order. Thank you very much.”
“The wiretap recording, made during an investigation of a prostitution ring called Emperors Club VIP, captured a man identified as Client 9 on a telephone call confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington, where he had reserved a room. The person briefed on the case identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.”
“New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is expected to step down as the governor of New York. That will leave a huge void in New York State and one that will be immediately filled by a man named David Paterson. Lt. Gov David Paterson is the current Lieutenant Governor of New York. He is the first African American to hold that position.”
“"Spitzer has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a person briefed on the federal investigation," the New York Times reports in a blockbuster revelation. Additionally, Fox News reports that Spitzer will resign.”
“If New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is forced to step down over his involvement in the prostitution ring Emperor's Club VIP, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson is set to become the state's 59th Governor — and the first African American to hold that position. Who is the man who may become Governor?”
“The Clinton camp's attempts to call into question both the sincerity of Barack Obama's call for an Iraq troop withdrawal and his ability to serve as commander-in-chief took a bizarre turn on Monday, when farming metaphors were deployed for the first time in the campaign.”
“According to our source, editors and reporters, led mostly by Mr. Sexton and Ms. Giordano, were shuffling in and out of conference rooms and repeatedly calling field reporters deep into the night. It was especially rare for Mr. Sexton and Ms. Giordano to be in the office on a weekend night, with Mr. Sexton only "rarely" making appearences on Sunday nights, the source said.”
“The Senate majority is saying no to Spitzer’s proposal to reorganize the gas tax, which could result in an increase or decrease (depending on gas prices) of up to 1 cent per gallon. Under the proposal, the Governor would do away with the gas tax cap enacted in 2006 on any State sales tax over $2 by consolidating the tax into the Petroleum Business Tax (PBT), and would increase gasoline taxes by nearly $56 million annually.”
“Thomas W. Wade, chairman of the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee, informed labor leaders at a monthly union breakfast today that Paul Tonko wanted the labor community to know he is considering a run for Congress representing the Capital Region.”
“Republican Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco said that if the allegations are true, Spitzer should resign. Spitzer, who would not take questions at the news conference, said he planned to continue the work he'd started but needed time right now to regain his family's trust.”
“Sen. Republican Majority Leader Joe Bruno just emerged for about 20 seconds and said this: “I feel very badly for the governor, his wife, for his children.””
“In case of vacancy in the offices of both governor and lieutenant-governor or if both of them shall be impeached, absent from the state or otherwise unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor, the temporary president of the senate [Lt. Gov. David Patterson] shall act as governor until the inability shall cease or until a governor shall be elected.”
“A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s involvement in a prostitution ring was caught on a federal wiretap.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer, accused in news reports of being involved in a prostitution ring, apologized to his family and the public on Monday at a hastily called news conference. He did not elaborate on the story.”
“It's likely both Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will reach the Democratic convention shy of the delegates needed to win the party nomination. Offering strategic advice for victory is Jim Miller, Smith College professor and author of Game Theory at Work: How to Use Game Theory to Outthink and Outmaneuver Your Competition.”
““If he is involved … then I think he should resign,” Tedisco said in a spur of the moment press conference at the Capitol, which this afternoon is both paralyzed and completely subsumed by the news of, yes I’ll say it, Hookergate.”
“Reliable sources told CBS 2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer that Lt. Gov. David Paterson could be sworn in as governor as early as 7 p.m. Monday.”
“At 3 p.m. Fox News reported — inaccurately — that Mr. Spitzer was going to resign and a little later that he had been indicted by prosecutors for the Southern District of New York, but when Mr. Spitzer made brief comments at 3:18 p.m. he did not step down, nor did he did not address any of the specifics of the case.”
The rumor mills are flying around this place with the news of Spitzer being linked to the Emperor’s Club VIP, a high priced prostitution service for wealthy people.
WAMC broke in with this story. But I keep checking as many blogs and news sites to find out what's happening, but so far very few details.
The New York Times is now reporting:
But a person with knowledge of the governor’s role said that the person believes the governor is one of the men identified as clients in court papers.
The governor’s travel records show that he was in Washington in mid-February. One of the clients described in court papers arranged to meet with a prostitute who was part of the ring, the Emperors Club VIP on the night of Feb. 13.
Mr. Spitzer appeared on a CNBC television show at 7 a.m. the next morning. Later in the morning, he testified before a Congressional committee.
An affidavit filed in federal court in Manhattan in connection with that case lists six conversations between the man, identified as Client 9, and a booking agent for the Emperors Club.
This is all very interesting and sad if it's true.
“CNBC's "Closing Bell" reported the news was greeted by cheers on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange upon the announcement of the news.”
“Albany County Executive Mike Breslin is giving the State of the County address tonight before the start of the monthly meeting of the County Legislature. Breslin will speak to lawmakers at 6 p.m. Read more about the county executive's message on this Web site.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s resignation appears imminent, according to sources, who say Lt. Gov. David Paterson could be sworn in as governor as early as this evening.”
“Here’s what he said in a news release: “The allegations against the Governor are before the public. I have nothing to add at this time.” ”
“New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer faces pressure to resign on Tuesday as well as questions about whether he will be prosecuted for any crime after a report linked him to a high-class prostitution ring.”
“A law enforcement official told the Associated Press Tuesday that the case grew out of a public corruption inquiry triggered by Spitzer's movement of cash to bank accounts operated by the call-girl ring.”
“Depending on where you sit, Gov. Eliot Spitzer's apparent downfall is either distressing or a source of rich if unpleasant irony. For a look at the hopes he carried and the enemies the governor made, Renee Montagne talks with Steve Fishman, contributing editor for New York magazine. Fishman wrote about Spitzer for the magazine last summer.”
“The disclosure that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer hired a high-priced prostitute during a recent visit to Washington, DC first reported by the New York Times has quickly led to speculation that Spitzer will be forced to resign his office. The Wall Street Journal reports this morning Spitzer is expected to resign "perhaps as early as today, according to a person close to him." The Washington Post says "even sympathetic analysts said the governor...did not have a reservoir of goodwill to draw upon that might help him overcome this latest controversy." Republicans in Albany "said that if the governor tries to keep his job, they will probably question whether his state police bodyguards, who provide him 24-hour protection, were complicit in his actions, and whether any state money or facilities were used."”
“The U.S. economy will shrink in the second quarter, but avoid a recession this year as housing's drag will ease in the second half, helping normal growth return next year, according to a UCLA Anderson Forecast report released on Tuesday.”
“Democratic leaders continue to negotiate over ways to resolve disputed primaries held in Michigan and Florida. Now Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell and New Jersey governor Jon Corzine have come forward with an offer to raise money to help finance do-over voting.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer continued to weigh whether to resign early Tuesday, a day after law enforcement officials said he was a client of a high-end prostitution ring broken up last week by federal authorities.”
“Governor Eliot Spitzer is figuring out his next moves this morning after being implicated in a scandal involving a prostitution ring.
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer publicly apologized to his wife and family Monday and began planning to exit his office in shame as both his life and political career were unraveling over his role as a patron of an international sex ring, according to government sources.”
“There, in the Hauppauge offices of the Internal Revenue Service, investigators conducting a routine examination of suspicious financial transactions reported to them by banks found several unusual movements of cash involving the governor of New York, several officials said.”
“The ascent and descent of Eliot Spitzer’s career have been dizzying. He was the brainy kid who graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law School and became an avenging state attorney general, hunting down Wall Street malefactors with a moralistic fervor that sounded pitch-perfect. Everywhere he found “betrayals of the public trust” that were “shocking” and “criminal.””
That's what all New Yorkers are feeling today, particularly those who supported Governor Spitzer last year in his election.
I really do not know what to say.
I'm sad to hear that our Governor will almost certainly resign today. It was difficult to ride up in the elevator to work, and see a Republican hop in the elevator as we quietly looked at each other faces motionless.
I do not know how to express the sadness and disappointment that so many of us New Yorkers have today, as the news goes on and on about the Spitzer's misdeeds.
“'I mean the question is, why? Was it arrogance and hubris or a feeling of invulnerability?" asked Douglas Muzzio, political science professor at Baruch College in Manhattan. "It is tragic almost in a Shakespearean sense. You had this potentially great leader, and he self-destructs."”
“It was the last thing the people of New York needed to see and hear. If the governor has violated the public trust, as it appears he may have, he must resign. If he thinks otherwise, he has to make the case for how he can lead this state, particularly in such daunting times. He has to address the public's profound anger and sense of betrayal.”
“Fox News Channel erroneously reported early in its coverage Monday of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's alleged involvement in a prostitution ring that the governor had resigned.”
“Less than two years after he reluctantly ran for lieutenant governor, David Paterson is suddenly in line to be just the eighth black governor in American history, the first in New York's history.”
“It was a question that the current holder of that office, Eliot Spitzer, did not quite answer when he spoke to reporters in Manhattan. Instead, Mr. Spitzer — who refused to take questions about reports that he had patronized a prostitution ring — left state government in a virtual limbo.”
“Before Monday, Eliot Spitzer was a rising star in the Democratic Party -- his squeaky-clean image as a corruption buster led to his being mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate and possibly even a future White House contender.”
“Over the past nine years, eight as Attorney General and one as Governor, I have tried to uphold a vision of progressive politics that will rebuild New York and create opportunity for all. We sought to bring real change to New York, and that will continue.”
Most people are saying yes. I don't know for sure, I could see him sticking around, but it would be difficult.
But I don't rule anything out for Spitzer. He's not known for his conventional approaches to Albany politics, and he could fight it for a long time, especially if he's not indicted.
He could fight it. He would probably still have more then 1/3rd of the Assembly to keep him from being impeached, should it come to that. It would require 100 votes to impeach the Governor, and put him on trial in the Senate. Republicans have 41 members in the Assembly, Democrats have 109.
Still, I suspect he's going to come clean, and avoid the pain to New York, and the people that all worked so hard for him and his party. But I really do not know.
It's all such a tragedy for every New Yorker.
“The answer of the Justice Department to all this is likely to be: Trust us. But in the current environment, the reservoir of trust is tapped. The Justice Department needs to submit to some questions about how this probe got launched, who launched it, and to what extent political appointees were involved in its direction. This has nothing to do with Spitzer’s guilt or innocence. But it has everything to do with the fading integrity of the Public Integrity Section.”
The Albany Project looks at what some of the papers and writers across the nation are saying about Spitzer today.
“With Gov. Eliot Spitzer embroiled in a prostitution scandal, it was unclear whether the turmoil at the Capitol will hamper efforts to pass a state budget by the April 1 deadline.”
Listen to WAMC's continuing coverage and analysis of the Governor's life and downfall.
“On Monday evening, reporters, news vans and police cars coagulated outside the Upper East Side apartment of Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York, nearly blocking traffic along Fifth Avenue.”
“'Kristen' the pretty, 105-pound brunette might be the watercooler element of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's link to a prostitution ring, but it was the moving around of a hunk of cash that put the crusading prosecutor in federal crosshairs.”
“The idea that Gov. Eliot Spitzer — the square-jawed crusader who promised to bring ethics to Albany, the former prosecutor who chased corruption on Wall Street so ferociously that people nicknamed him Eliot Ness — was somehow involved in a prostitution scandal was too much. New Yorkers who thought they had heard everything were, for a change, dumbfounded.”
“Finally - you've all seen the ABC report that's saying that this whole prostitution ring bust happened because Spitzer blew it for them, right? They're saying the whole investigation started when Spitzer's bank contacted authorities about suspicious money transfers that authorities initially thought were transfers to hide bribe money - instead it was money to secretly pay for hookers.”
“A resolution to continue an extra 3 percent tax on hotel and motel rooms, of which 1 percent goes to a proposed $397.5 million convention center in downtown Albany, was tabled Monday at a County Legislature meeting.”
“On Monday, a 22-year-old Troy woman who said she was unlawfully strip-searched by members of the Albany Police Department and then forced to undergo a pelvic cavity search at Albany Medical Center Hospital on Jan. 28 filed a notice of claim against the city.”
“On Monday, Aref's supporters gathered at his former mosque, Masjid Al-Salam, to unveil the finished product of that labor, a memoir called "Son of Mountains: My Life as a Kurd and a Terror Suspect."”
“Geotechnical engineer to form plan for threatened Troy homes and property”
“Stunned is what we all were, around every water cooler in the region. A prostitution ring? That's beyond the realm of the imaginable, and heaven knows Eliot Spitzer in a year-plus as governor has tested those boundaries already.”
“Democrat Barack Obama rejected on Monday rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's suggestion that he might be willing to accept the role of vice presidential running mate on a Democratic "dream ticket."”
“The story that shocked and rocked New York state yesterday was the stuff of Hollywood scandal, as reported by some celebrity rag. Only it wasn’t some actor getting busted for drugs or, in this case, caught with a prostitute, and it wasn’t The Star doing the reporting. It was the governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer, and it was The New York Times reporting that the emperor had no clothes — literally.”
“Jennings’ endorsement gives Brooks, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, access to his supporters, political base and fundraising sources, said Charles Diamond, a member of U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty’s staff. “[Jennings] has a strong base of support and will be a tremendous asset for Tracey, financially and politically,” Diamond said.”
““If the reports are true, Spitzer is in big, big trouble, and not just with his wife,” said Joseph Zimmerman, a professor of political science at the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. “If what [we’re hearing] is fact, he’ll probably be indicted by the U.S. Attorney.””
“"If what is reported is true you can’t spell disappointment in large enough letters," said Cohoes Mayor John McDonald. "This just doesn’t make any sense. To be completely honest, I pray for his wife and his children. They are just innocent bystanders.”
“In the midst of a art design lecture in front of more than a dozen students and faculty members at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, three members of the school’s administration burst into the classroom to bring the Iraqi-born guest speaker, Wafaa Bilal, to an adjacent room for questioning.”
“As we have said before, we are not opposed to the deal to swap City Hall with the Verizon building. Our reservations have been about how the deal came about — with no public input and without going through a public bidding process.”
“Albany sources confirm that LG David Paterson called legislative leaders late this afternoon saying he wanted to "start off on the right foot" during the "transition."”
“But things are suddenly looking kind of good for Andrew Cuomo in 2010, aren't they? Except, perhaps, for a little caution about making an AG the governor...”
“Mr. Paterson’s gifts—penetrating intelligence, an immediate human connection and an inspiring story of overcoming near-total blindness—make him a natural running mate for the stiffer, privileged, decisive Mr. Spitzer. But the chaos that has followed him through public life makes him a natural choice in another way. Mr. Spitzer has a strong stomach for risk, and Mr. Spitzer’s campaign, according to Mr. Paterson, engaged in no real vetting of its lieutenant-governor candidate—a man who brings to the campaign a complicated relationship with the truth and a difficulty in saying no.”
“But the broadside was yet another example of what is already among the most popular lines of Democratic attack against McCain: that the Arizona senator lacks expertise on the economy and will be uniquely vulnerable on what is shaping up to be the overarching domestic issue of the campaign. ”
“The dramatic fall of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer — from an imperious and upright prosecutor to the apparent subject of a prostitution probe — paralyzed the political world Monday and threw shrapnel across the New York and national political landscape.”
“Standing in the wings to take over from Governor Spitzer if Mr. Spitzer steps down is the lieutenant governor, David Paterson, who would become the first black governor of New York and, apparently, the first legally blind governor in American history.”
“A top executive at General Motors said Monday that the automaker is concerned by a two-week-long strike at a parts supplier that has slowed or stopped production at 29 G.M. plants, but he indicated that the automaker did not plan to intervene in the dispute.”
“Investors fear that some of the companies that these firms bought on credit could, like millions of American homeowners, begin to buckle under their heavy debts now that a recession seems almost certain. The buyout lords themselves suddenly confront gaping multibillion-dollar losses on their investments.”
“Stocks surged Tuesday morning after the Federal Reserve said it would loan up to $200 billion to banks and lenders in an effort to loosen up tight credit markets.”
“The Capitol is encircled with TV and broadcast trucks, big ones, small ones, SUV ones, with people in suits and cameras waiting, waiting, waiting.”
From The Nation: "The governor of her state—who also happens to be one of her highest-profile backers—is in trouble, big trouble. But Hillary Clinton doesn't want to go there. "
“The world's developing nations are no longer nearly as dependent as they used to be on consumers in the United States and other rich nations to keep them going by buying their exports.”
“Faced with tough budget decisions, many states are turning to gambling as an answer to their economic woes. But most end up getting far more than they bargained for.”
“So far, however, Paterson said stayed out of the limelight and avoided making any public statements. Word now is that Gov. Eliot Spitzer might step down at noon, but keep in mind there have been any number of so-called deadlines that have already come and gone with no change in leadership at the executive mansion.”
“The criminal complaint filed by Manhattan federal prosecutors indicates that Client 9 - identified by law enforcement sources as Spitzer - was well aware of the need to hide the source of the illegal transaction.”
I sit like so many other people in New York just waiting to hear what will happen. It feels almost as though our once great Governor was assainated, if only on his own behalf.
I listen to hours of WAMC coverage, with dozens of psychoanalyists, personal friends, and writers talk about Spitzer. I hear the Sound of Silence by Simon and Garefunkel on the radio. It is so sad.
Noon-time is when the rumor mills are saying it will be over.
The mountains seem more distant today. The sky is a dark grey haze surrounding the mountains, much like the first Day 1 of the Spitzer administration.
The Sound of Silence as people wonder about the future of such a great man who fell so quickly.
“Alan Dershowitz taught Eliot Spitzer at Harvard Law School and has come to his former student's defense, after it was revealed Spitzer was tied to a prostitution ring. ”
“New York Republicans will seek to impeach Gov. Eliot Spitzer if he does not resign within 48 hours after a report linking him to a prostitution ring, a spokesman for a leading assemblyman in the minority said on Tuesday.”
“Talk has now turned from "if" the governor will resign to "when" that will occur. No word yet on timing. ”
“On the face of it, there's very little reason for the Democrats in the State Assembly to go out on a limb for Eliot Spitzer. Hence the response of Assemblyman Richard Brodsky of Westchester when I asked him what their position was on whether the governor should stay or go: “There is no position of the Assembly majority on Eliot Spitzer,” he said.”
“Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson, 53, who is in line to succeed to the governor’s office if Gov. Eliot Spitzer were to resign, would be the first African-American governor of New York State and the fourth black governor in the nation’s history.”
“Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson and his staff have begun laying the groundwork for him to take over as governor and are reaching out to members of the Legislature, the aides said.”
Probably this is saddest news headline I've seen in a long time.
I really had hope somehow the governor could overcome this scandal, but it looks increasingly unlikely.
“Aides close to Spitzer, 48, expect Lt. Gov. David Paterson, 53, a Harlem Democrat, will succeed him as governor before the week's end to fill out the remaining 33 months of his term. Spitzer has been in office just over a year after voters overwhelmingly elected the former attorney general dubbed "the Sheriff of Wall Street."”
“Credible sources have been saying since last night that the Governor would resign today and now it appears as if they were correct. Word has it that Lt. Governor Paterson is en route to Albany and that the "transition" we've been hearing about for almost 24 hours will begin shortly after his arrival.”
“Stuart Brody, chairman of the Democratic Rural Conference of New York State and an ally of AG Andrew Cuomo, just released a statement praising Gov. Eliot Spitzer's "courage to challenge the balance of power in Albany" and urging New Yorkers to show the governor "respect" and "compassion" as he struggles to put his personal life in order.”
“I think biologists could tell you this has something to do with natural selection — the person who acquires power becomes the alpha male,” said Tom Fiedler, who teaches a course in press and politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School. He was involved in reporting Gary Hart’s notorious fling with Donna Rice in 1987 that terminated the senator’s presidential bid.”
“Dr. Frank Farley, a psychologist at Temple University, said that many politicians are what he calls Type T personalities, with T standing for thrill-seeking. “Politics is an uncertain business,” he said. “You’re at the whim of the electorate. There’s no tenure. It’s often hard to know what the criteria for success are. It’s either all or nothing — you either win or you lose. And so it inspires a risk-taking person to go into that line of work. But on the public side, they’re supposed to show stability and responsibility, and so this risky nature may show itself more on the private side.”
“A further tragedy here, beyond the personal one of the Spitzer family and the damage he has done to the reform cause, is that Mr. Spitzer’s targets are now relishing their tormentor’s torment. Those on Wall Street who fumed at having to make their world fairer for ordinary shareholders can now chortle with satisfaction in their private enclaves. For New York Republicans, who have blocked some of the most important reforms in Albany, it is hard to imagine the private glee — especially at a moment when they are fighting desperately to hold their majority in the State Senate.”
“Under heavy pressure to quit over his hooker-sex scandal, aides to Gov. Spitzer Tuesday were in transition talks to hand the reins of government to Lt. Gov. David Paterson Eliot.”
“Why do otherwise smart, successful people do such risky things? For psychologists and political analysts who found themselves dissecting the Spitzer story, it was a question of the chicken or the egg: In such situations, does the risky behavior precede the powerful job? Or does something about being in power cause the behavior?”
“New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer had at least seven or eight liaisons over the last several years with prostitutes supplied by an international call girl ring based in New Jersey, according to sources familiar with the investigation into Spitzer's relationship with the ring.”
“That the Governor of the State of New York and former Attorney General would willingly patronize organized crime. This wasn't a couple of girls working out of their college flat. This was an international ring who would ship hookers to their clients. ”
“WABC's Curtis Sliwa brought up an interesting topic this morning regarding the responsibility of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's State Police security detail to not only keep him from harm, but prevent him from doing harm to himself - and his career.”
“A top Spitzer aide tells TU reporter Marc Parry that reports that Eliot Spitzer is on the verge of quitting are not true, although he didn’t elaborate on whether it may occur later than sooner, or whether the governor is looking to stay on.”
“With all eyes on Eliot Spitzer and the future of the governorship unclear, Joe Bruno is introducing a cap on how much an executive budget can increase state spending.”
“In New York state, even as cabinet-level officials began to prepare an orderly transition by briefing Lt. Gov. David Paterson on key details of their components of the government in anticipation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer stepping down, criminal justice officials launched a preliminary inquiry into how the disgraced governor slipped his security detail while traveling, state sources told ABC News.”
“"This is very grave and sad news. My heart goes out to the governor’s family," Gillibrand said in a prepared statement. "If these serious allegations are true, the governor will have no choice but to resign."”
“Another source close to the governor said Mr. Spitzer was refusing to resign until he clinches an agreement with federal authorities about charges that he could face. "I don't think anything happens for a couple of weeks," the source said.”
“The mayor did not elaborate on his discussions with the governor, saying they were "private conversations." He did say that he offered to give the governor advice on his situation.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who has spent much of the day considering his options following allegations that he was linked to a high-priced prostitution ring, , will not resign his office on Tuesday, according to a person involved in discussions with the governor.”
He's going to resign, almost certainly, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 12th. It's almost 100% certain, regardless of what deal he gets with the US Federal Prosecutor in relationship to jail time.
People don't realize what serious trouble Spitzer is in right now. While he has yet to be charged with a crime, the actions gotten on the federal wiretap, make him guilty of several potential crimes including:
This is all very serious business.
Spitzer wants to avoid jail time, and has asked the federal prosecutor to consider the fact that he will resign the governorship and pay a very significant fine, along with other conditions, if only he stays out of jail.
He might get it, but the federal prosecutor still wants more, and that is why there is no deal, and that's why he has yet to resign. But Spitzer's lawyers and the prosecutors are working overtime to come up with a settlement.
Jimmy Tedisco, the Assembly Minority Leader, threatens to impeach the governor on tommorow afternoon, if Governor Spitzer fails to resign by that point. That is why it's so essential to get a deal with the federal procecutor, and get done with the resignation.
Nobody wants to go through with an impeachment, except for Jim Tedisco, who wants to turn his national spotlight into higher ambitions, then being the Assembly DogCatcher. If he leads the impeachment of Spitzer, he will get national attention. Tedisco's impeachment articles have already be introduced in the Assembly, and will have aged enough by Thursday to be voted for through a hostile amendment to a bill.
This time, nobody will come to the aid of the governor to fight it. At least, there will not be 51 out 150 members (more then 1/3rd voting no) to prevent him from being impeached, with everybody knowing the political consequences of defending the governor. A few liberal members, might support the governor, but that will be very few, as it will look very bad to the folks back home.
Moreover, any effort to stop the Governor from being removed by the Senate will be futile. Even more then 22 Senators vote against removing Spitzer from the office, Spitzer is ultimately facing several federal felony charges, that will lead to his removal from office when convicted, per the public officers law.
And the evidence is that Spitzer, while his heart was in the right place on all his public pursuits, faced some serious daemons in his private life, unbeknown even to the men closest to him and his wife.
Spitzer probably was addicted to the pleasures of prostitution, probably a field he got involved in somewhat accidentally early on in his career. He publicly fought after disgusting sex criminals, while knowing after hours that he would slip out and get the pleasures from ever growing in expense prostitutes. It was similar to a drug addiction, that the addict tries his hardest to hide from everyone.
Could we have ever known? Probably not—the fear of Spitzer being revealed, made this man as straight as an arrow in his public life. Spitzer couldn't ever show any sign of moral weakness, because he was very much in denial of what was happening in his private life.
It is such a tragedy, that such a truly great man would fall so fast. I feel so incredibly sorry for him, and wish he could have found some help from somebody a long time ago, before he fell down so fast and so far.
Eliot Spitzer will resign from the governorship tomorrow. But then, Lt. Governor David Patterson will take over, and he will be able to start over with a fresh slate.
The many positive aspects of Patterson have been enumerated in many articles linked to throughout the past day, and I believe he will be a fresh start, both for Democrats and Republicans alike.
I have great hope for our state, even after one it's greatest champions of progressive governor fall, for personal daemons that ultimately destroyed himself. But ideas live on, even beyond that of people.
“Earlier this morning, Talk1300 radio noted that H. Carl McCall was in town, and I’d earlier heard that David Paterson’s father Basil, was headed to Albany on Tuesday (I called the senior Paterson late yesterday and he wasn’t around. )”
“Aides say governor preparing to quit as lawyers negotiate with federal officials.”
“"The longer it goes, the worse it becomes for everybody," said Sheinkopf, who once advised Spitzer and also helped orchestrate the departure of former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey from office amid a gay sex scandal. "He's an impediment to the resolution of the budget and other issues because he's there."”
“As Gov. Spitzer held the state hostage to negotiate a sweet plea deal Tuesday night, probers looked to see if he used tax dollars for trysts with high-priced hookers totaling up to $80,000.”
“Today's Q poll finds an overwhelming percent (73-22) of NYC voters think Mayor Bloomberg would be a good governor and more than half (57-34) think he should remain in politics once his current term ends in 2009.”
According to the Times Union in the Liaisons took place over years article, it looks like that the prostitution scandal took place over a number of years, and total some real money.
The liaisons between Spitzer and a number of different prostitutes occurred around the country, including in Washington, D.C., and Florida, the sources said, adding that Spitzer paid several thousand dollars for each encounter. One official told The Associated Press the total amount could be as high as $80,000
Apparently it was caught and investigated when an automatically generated suspicious bank activity report was generated, and the IRS decided to look deeper at the finances of this high ranking public official.
The bank, as is required by law, filed an SAR, or Suspicious Activity Report, with the Internal Revenue Service, reporting the transfer of the money that exceeded $10,000, but had been broken down into smaller amounts, the sources said.
Millions of SARS are generated each week and flow into the Internal Revenue Service nationwide, but an analyst at the regional IRS office in Hauppauge singled out Spitzer's for attention to criminal investigators, the sources said.
Sources said the assumption was Spitzer was being victimized either by a blackmailer or an impostor. The agents also speculated Spitzer was involved in some sort of political corruption, the sources said.
He was addicted, he got sloppy with it. This is what happens to all arsonists and sexual predators of other sorts, and why they almost all ultimately get caught. I'm sure Spitzer knew the risks of what he was doing, and that SARS reports would be generated, if he kept doing what he was doing with so much money.
An interesting biography of Paterson, talking about why he will be good for Albany.
“The FBI court documents state: "There is probable cause to believe that the defendants are organisers and managers of a criminal organisation engaged in illegal prostitution and money-laundering activities throughout the United States and Europe."”
“New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer will resign effective Monday, completing a stunning fall from power after he was nationally disgraced by links to a high-priced prostitution ring, according to a state official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made.”
“Eliot Spitzer knew how to catch bad guys by following the money. As attorney general, he once broke up a call-girl ring and locked up 18 people on corruption, money-laundering and prostitution charges. He ruthlessly investigated the pay packages of Wall Street executives and was so familiar with shady financial maneuvers that he rose to become the top racketeering prosecutor in Manhattan.
Eliot Spitzer knew how to catch bad guys by following the money. As attorney general, he once broke up a call-girl ring and locked up 18 people on corruption, money-laundering and prostitution charges. He ruthlessly investigated the pay packages of Wall Street executives and was so familiar with shady financial maneuvers that he rose to become the top racketeering prosecutor in Manhattan.
But in the end, it appears that Spitzer may have been done in by the same behavior he built a career out of prosecuting.
In fact, it seems he was tripped up by some of the very financial accounting methods he used so successfully against multibillion-dollar Wall Street firms.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer, reeling from revelations that he had been a client of a prostitution ring, will resign today, some of his staff members said they have been told. Mr. Spitzer is scheduled to speak today at 11:30 a.m. at his Manhattan office, a top aide said.”
The former speaker of the Assembly, who was convicted and vindicated on public corruption charges, spoke on Spitzer's Future (mp3), and the importance of putting this behind him, rebuild his home life, and go on to new persuits.
It's very fascinating to listen to. See the related New York Times story.
“And with his typical zeal, he embraced their push for new legislation, including a novel idea at its heart: Go after the men who seek out prostitutes.
It was a question of supply and demand, they all agreed. And one effective way to suppress the demand was to raise the penalties for patronizing a prostitute. In his first months as governor last year, Mr. Spitzer signed the bill into law.”
“On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson waited. Around noon, he was driven from his home outside Albany to the Capitol, raising expectations that Gov. Eliot Spitzer would soon resign and that Mr. Paterson was about to become the state’s 55th governor — and the first African-American to hold the post.”
we need a little humor to break up all the tense feeling about the governor today. This is also a way to learn a little bit more about our 55th Governor Patterson and his personality.
“Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno insisted he is taking "no pleasure" in the prostitution scandal taking down his political nemesis, Gov. Eliot Spitzer, refusing even to note the irony in the fact that the man who tried to end Bruno's political career is now being undone by his own hand.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer, reeling from revelations that he had been a client of a prostitution ring, announced his resignation today at his headquarters in Manhattan.”
This is a screenshot from the New York Times page, that notes that Eliot Spitzer has resigned from the Governorship of the State of New York.
So it is over.
“How exactly did the feds end up snagging Eliot Spitzer? We've been asking the question since the story broke on Monday. Reports from a number of news outlets have been providing more and more details so that now, with the help of the feds' filings, it's possible to piece together a reasonably detailed timeline of how the investigation went down. So, without any more ado, here it is:”
“Weeks before a hotel meeting with a prostitute that threatens to derail his career, the FBI staked out New York Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer at the same hotel in an unsuccessful effort to catch him with a high-priced call girl, according to a person with knowledge of the investigation.”
It's now on YouTube:
“Secret trysts are complicated under any circumstances, but the logistical challenges are steeper for elected officials who live surrounded by armed security officers whose mandate is to remain close enough to step in front of a bullet.”
“Like all New Yorkers I am saddened by what we have learned over the past several days. On a personal level Governor Spitzer and Silda have been close and steadfast friends. As an elected official the Governor has worked hard for the people of New York.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced Wednesday that he is resigning, completing a spectacular fall from power for a politician whose once-promising career imploded amid allegations that he paid thousands of dollars for high-end prostitutes. ”
From the NY Times:
In the past few days I have begun to atone for my private failings with my wife, Silda, my children, and my entire family. The remorse I feel will always be with me. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the love and compassion they have shown me. From those to whom much is given, much is expected. I have been given much: the love of my family, the faith and trust of the people of New York, and the chance to lead this state. I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me. To every New Yorker, and to all those who believed in what I tried to stand for, I sincerely apologize.
I look at my time as governor with a sense of what I might have been, but I also know that as a public servant I, and the remarkable people with whom I worked, have accomplished a great deal. There is much more to be done, and I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people’s work. Over the course of my public life, I have insisted, I believe correctly, that people, regardless of their position or power, take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor. At Lt. Gov. Paterson’s request, the resignation will be effective Monday, March 17, a date that he believes will permit an orderly transition.
I go forward with the belief, as others have said, that as human beings, our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. As I leave public life, I will first do what I need to do to help and heal myself and my family. Then I will try once again, outside of politics, to serve the common good and to move toward the ideals and solutions which I believe can build a future of hope and opportunity for us and for our children. I hope all of New York will join my prayers for my friend, David Paterson, as he embarks on his new mission, and I thank the public once again for the privilege of service.
It's over.
“If all politicians who ever cheated on their spouse were banished from office, government would be overworked and under-accomplished. In Eliot Spitzer's case, though, it's how he cheated.”
“Assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian is planning to run for Congress in Michigan. Kevorkian is on parole since being released from prison last year.”
“Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. President Steve Mendell made the admissions after a congressional panel forced him to watch undercover video of abuses of cattle at his plant. Mendell watched head-in-hand as cows were dragged by chains, jabbed by forklifts and shocked to get them into the box where they'd be slaughtered.”
“A blanket, or countywide, patrol is scheduled for various sites beginning 10 p.m. Thursday and ending at 4 a.m. Monday, March 17. Albany County Stop-DWI Program Coordinator Lenny Crouch announced that 11 municipal police forces in the county, in addition to deputies and State Police, will participate.”
“While several Assembly Democrats talked about the sad fall of Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the optimism of working with David Paterson as governor, Assemblyman David Townsend, R-Sylvan Beach, a former state trooper, had a different take. He didn’t show sympathy for Spitzer. He offered a question: When Spitzer was the attorney general, did he close down competitors of Emperor’s Club VIP as a favor to his preferred prostitution ring? ”Put that question out there. How many free rides did he get?””
““There is no agreement between this office or Eliot Spitzer relating to his resignation or any other matter.“”
“The governor’s resignation is appropriate. Eliot Spitzer has to take care of his family now and we must move forward and continue to govern and serve the 19 million people of this state. I have already been in continuous dialogue with Lt. Governor David Paterson, Speaker Sheldon Silver and Majority Leader Joe Bruno. We all remain focused on the business of government, including passing a fair, on-time budget.”
“One sign that this day was really extraordinary: A flat screen TV was installed in the hallway behind the Assembly chamber - right outside the members lounge - where Gov. Eliot Spitzer's fellow Democrats gathered to watch the official end of the political career of a man with whom they once both feared, admired and yes, even hated.”
“Governor Spitzer could soon find himself beset on all sides by legal proceedings, as the Assembly weighs impeachment, federal prosecutors consider indictment, and an attorney disciplinary committee mulls disbarment.”
“"Essentially [Senate Majority Leader Joesph Bruno] would have the powers of the governor," the deputy director of the Rockefeller Institute, Robert Ward, said of Mr. Bruno's status should Mr. Paterson leave town. His powers would include issuing executive orders, hiring and firing staff, approving expenditures that have been appropriated but not yet spent, issuing pardons, and calling in the National Guard, among others. Mr. Bruno could even sign legislation the governor had planned to veto, were it to reach his desk.”
The New York Post has this video on their website, which seems like a nice intro.
“The information technology industry needs to show that it isn't just for "geeky, unsociable" people if it is to attract more women to fill a skills shortage, according to the EU's top technology official.”
“Speculation surrounds who's in, who's out if administration changes”
This blog has a lot of good coverage of the downfall of Spitzer and many official reactions.
“The Currency Transaction Report (CTR) came into existence with the passage of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, better known as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), in 1970.”
He was really stupid, arrogant, or both, and did some things that raised some serious red flags.
According to Newsday Reports:
Spitzer last year had wanted to wire transfer more than $10,000 from his branch to what turned out to be the front for the prostitution ring, QAT Consulting Group, which also uses a number of other names, in New Jersey, the sources said.
But Spitzer had the money broken down into several smaller amounts of less than $10,000 each, apparently to avoid federal regulations requiring the reporting of the transfer of $10,000 or more, the sources said. The regulations are aim to help spot possible illegal business activities, such as fraud or drug deals.
Apparently, having second thoughts about even sending the total amount in this manner, Spitzer then asked that the bank take his name off the wires, the sources said.
Bank officials declined, however, saying that it was improper to do so and in any event, it was too late to do so, because the money already had been sent, the sources said.
The bank, as is required by law, filed an SAR, or Suspicious Activity Report, with the Internal Revenue Service, reporting the transfer of the money that exceeded $10,000, but had been broken down into smaller amounts, the sources said.
So he got caught doing something bad. Being a Politically Exposed Person, via the Patriot Act defination, and caught engaging in structuring to avoid reporting, the feds got very interested.
“These final regulations implement section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which directs that regulations be issued requiring that financial institutions implement reasonable procedures to (1) verify the identity of any person opening an account; (2) maintain records of the information used to verify the person’s identity; and (3) determine whether the person appears on any list of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations. ”
“As news of Mr. Spitzer’s impending departure spread Wednesday morning, Mr. Paterson’s staff grappled with the need to plan a transition at a time the state faces a $4.4 billion deficit. Mr. Paterson himself has begun to reach out to the state’s senior Democrats, including Senator Hillary Clinton and Congressman Charles B. Rangel, a fellow Harlem Democrat with long ties to Mr. Paterson’s family.”
“Tell me again: Why should we get all worked up over the revelation that the New York governor paid for sex? Will it bring back to life the eight U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq that same day in a war that makes no sense and has cost this nation trillions in future debt? Will it save those millions of homes that hardworking folks all over the country are losing because of financial industry shenanigans that Eliot Spitzer, as much as anyone, attempted to halt? Perhaps it provides some insight into why oil has risen to $108 a barrel, benefiting most of all the oil sheiks whom our taxpayer-supported military has kept in pow”
“That's why, when Spitzer prepared to seek the governorship, he asked Paterson to run with him. Spitzer recognized that he needed the state senator's credibility with community activists and progressives, even if the gubernatorial candidate never quite embraced his running-mate as a full partner.”
“The Sanctuary for Independent Media was forced to stop hosting public gatherings Tuesday as the city enforced previously discussed code violations the day that a controversial exhibit was set to fully open to the public.”
“Senate Republicans today expressed reservations about the soon-to-be new governor, David Paterson, saying that he is far more liberal than Eliot Spitzer and might not be as attuned to the needs of upstate as his predecessor.”
“Phil Steck, Democratic congressional candidate for New York’s 21st Congressional District announced today that he is very pleased with the grassroots support he has received from elected officials and community leaders in the City of Albany.”
“"It's hard to know what Governor Paterson would have in mind, but being the lieutenant governor, I assume they are on the same wavelength," said Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst). "Considering the fact that we are midway through the session already, it would be difficult ... to change things abruptly, so I would anticipate that Governor Paterson would move forward with essentially the same kind of programs and agenda that Governor Spitzer had."
“"It's hard to know what Governor Paterson would have in mind, but being the lieutenant governor, I assume they are on the same wavelength," said Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst). "Considering the fact that we are midway through the session already, it would be difficult ... to change things abruptly, so I would anticipate that Governor Paterson would move forward with essentially the same kind of programs and agenda that Governor Spitzer had."
“"In America, our institutions are stronger than the people who preside over them. We have a system of government premised on the fact that the individuals that serve us are subject to failure. But that same system is designed to ensure that no matter the setback, we as a people will be able to change course and continue to move forward. And under Governor Paterson, we will move forward. We wish him great success."”
“The nearest likeness is Gov. William Sulzer, who was impeached and removed in 1913 over his campaign records. But many historians believe Sulzer, a sometimes abrasive reformer like Spitzer, was railroaded by Tammany Hall political bosses. ”
“European and Asian markets tumbled and Wall Street headed for a sharply lower opening Thursday as Carlyle Capital appeared close to collapse, the dollar plunged against foreign currencies and oil hovered near record highs.”
“The Defense Department is conducting an extensive review of the videotaping of interrogations at military facilities from Iraq to Guantánamo Bay, and so far it has identified nearly 50 tapes, including one that showed what a military spokesman described as the forcible gagging of a terrorism suspect.”
“He was a headstrong and temperamental politician, but no fool. He told family and friends the night before that he could not survive this scandal. But by the time he arrived at his office on Monday, he decided only to acknowledge the obvious — that his behavior was deeply troubling — and he apologized to his family and the public.”
“Hillary Clinton says the results of Michigan's Democratic presidential primary should count, even if Barack Obama's name did not appear on the ballot.”
“Gov. Eliot Spitzer, whose rise to political power as a fierce enforcer of ethics in public life was undone by revelations of his own involvement with prostitutes, resigned on Wednesday, becoming the first New York governor to leave office amid scandal in nearly a century.”
“Ashley Alexandra Dupre, a 22-year-old nightclub singer from the Jersey Shore, has been identified by The New York Times as "Kristen", the woman Spitzer is alleged to have met in a Washington hotel room.”
“I am all about my music, and my music is all about me… It flows from what I’ve been through, what I’ve seen and how I feel. I live in New York and am on top of the world. Been here since 2004 and I love this city, I love my life here. But, my path has not been easy. When I was 17, I left home. It was my decision and I’ve never looked back. Left my hometown. Left a broken family. Left abuse. Left an older brother who had already split. Left and learned what it was like to have everything, and lose it, again and again. Learned what it was like to wake up one day and have the people you care about most gone. I have been alone. I have abused drugs. I have been broke and homeless. But, I survived, on my own. I am here, in NY because of my music.”
“Paterson is expected to outline his priorities during his appearance at the Capitol at 2 p.m. today.”
“Paterson is said to be a man who speaks his mind but gets along well with and is well-respected by politicians on both sides of the aisle. This is quite a change from a governor who made enemies among both parties.”
“John E. McArdle, a spokesman for Mr. Bruno, offered a different interpretation. “We believe the Constitution is clear,” he wrote in an e-mail message in response to questions from The Times. “The lieutenant governor only votes on procedural matters in the event of a tie. Not on legislation. As the temporary president, Mr. Bruno assumes all the duties of the lieutenant governor and would vote in the event of a tie — in effect, twice.””
As we haven't really had enough pictures for the blog this morning. It's really short and sweet, telling Bruno and Silver that it's officially over, in case they where hiding under a rock.
Thanks to Albany Project for posting it. And if your really need a high-quality copy of it for your archives, you can get it from the Governor's Website in P°F format.
It's great to hear that he's getting off to a good start with sometimes the meanest journalist on the radio, with humor and a lot of love from Dicker.
I think things will get off to a good tone with Governor Patterson. Listen now until 11 AM.
Update: Paterson was awesome. Bruno is on now, and has nothing but praise to say about the new governor.
“It’s hard to argue with the “war on blight” Mayor Brian Stratton has declared in the city of Schenectady: Scores of houses are in such dilapidated condition that the wrecking ball is the only practical solution. While there are some safety issues involved, e.g. fires, the problem is primarily an aesthetic one. Still, the mayor wants to spend $875,000 — $725,000 more than last year — to remedy it, at the same time he’s cut corners on a program that not only touches on aesthetics, but safety and money as well: roads.”
Having ridden my bike into work this morning, I can really sympathize with the practical aspect of this editorial.
— Comment By Andy Arthur