VIDEO : NYC Primary Election Day - Broken Lever Voting Machine - Queens 63rd Election District - No Paper Ballots

Broken Lever Voting Machine - Queens 63rd Election District - No Paper Ballots http://t.co/m2qMmqBIgP @BOENYC

— Stop Christine Quinn (@stopchrisquinn) September 10, 2013

VIDEO : Broken Lever Voting Machine - Queens 63rd Election District - No Paper Ballots - NYC Primary Election Day

Voting problems with the single lever voting machine for the 63rd Election District in Jackson Heights, Queens. I was detained by a police officer and nearly taken into custody for using my iPhone to take a photograph and video of the broken voting machine.

We were denied paper ballots, as you will hear on the video. They tried to let us use another voting machine, but then we were taken back to the using the broken 63rd ED lever voting machine after it was "reset."

I'm taking a risk by uploading this video, but I feel it is important to document what happened and to register my vote.

Christine Quinn Compromised Her Commitment To Reproductive Health To Become Speaker In 2006

Christine Quinn Compromised On Reproductive Freedoms For Women

A passage from Chapter 8 of ''Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of Christine Quinn'' about Christine Quinn's ascension into the speakership of the New York City Council :

For Christine to make these giant leaps in power after less than six years in the City Council, she had to cut deals. The winners weren’t going to be the voters, who were still naively waiting for Christine to be a source of top-down support for bottom-up community empowerment. Instead, the winners were going to be the power brokers, the insiders, the lobbyists, and the political operatives on whose backs Christine climbed to further her own position in government. For example, in the weeks leading to the formal announcement that Christine had clinched the speakership, Christine co-hosted a fundraiser for Rep. Joe Crowley, a weak supporter of reproductive freedom for women. Rep. Crowley had succeeded Tom Manton in Congress, and Mr. Manton expected his subjects, which now included Christine, to express loyalty to the members of his political machine. Even though Christine kept brandishing her myth as an advocate for, among other things, abortion rights, the LGBT activist and social critic Bill Dobbs told The Village Voice that Christine was motivated to help Rep. Crowley “solely to win Manton’s support and the Queens delegation.” It was no coincidence that the higher up the totem pole that Christine climbed, the more glaring the betrayals to her own political ethics became. The rationalizations of Christine’s supporters became all the more bold, as well. Michael McKee, the controversial tenants’ rights activist, who was called on to provide more and more political cover to Christine, expressed his support to Christine for her contradictory support of Rep. Crowley. “Does it bother me ? No,” he told The Village Voice.

Why Is A Roosevelt Institute Fellow Endorsing Progressive Era Traitor Christine Quinn ?

Several weeks ago, I was Tweeting at the Roosevelt Institute, supposedly one of the last hold-outs of progressive political values anywhere in New York State, the way that things are going. I even sent them an e-mail, or filled out the e-mail Web form, or something, I might have even left them a voice mail, but I moved on, because I can't even begin to think about how much outreach I have done to try to roll up my research for Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of Christine Quinn into a larger narrative about the corruption of progressive politics sensibilities in New York City. Meanwhile, fast forward to today, and what do I happen to see on Huffington Post ? A fellow from the Roosevelt Institute writing a blatantly shallow, identity politics piece, advocating for Christine Quinn's campaign. I jammed my arms up into the air and asked God, "Why ? God, Why ?" We're talking about a City Council speaker, who unilaterally overturned term limits, which were adopted by voters twice through voter referenda. Voter referenda were one of the primary gains made during the turn of the last century during the Progressive Era. This gave voters a way to directly participate in a government that had, back then, become beholden to industrialists and was prone to corruption. Remember learning about meat packing scandals ? Remember learning about corporate trusts ? Remember learning about crack downs on union organising ? Sound familiar ???

"Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of @ChrisCQuinn" documents reversals of Progressive era reforms. @rooseveltinst http://t.co/r3mpZXdu8v

— Stop Christine Quinn (@stopchrisquinn) July 18, 2013

One of the other important gains during the Progressive Era, one that we can all appreciate right here in New York City, was the passage by the state legislature of the Tenement House Act, which regulated the size and conditions of apartments. Prior to its enactment, slum lords were putting up apartment buildings that skimped on windows, livable space, and other necessities, like indoor toilets and fire escapes. In the last year, you might remember Mayor Bloomberg trying to give us poor folk a hard sell on trying to live in new micro apartments as small as 250 square feet ! Christine Quinn, a former advocate for affordable housing and tenents' rights, remained mum as Mayor Bloomberg violated the very essence of the Tenement House Act. I could go on and on about how Quinn has been undermining the progressive political advances we made during the turn of the last century. Eventually, according to the history books, progressive political sensibilities gave way to Roosevelt's New Deal, which gave way to LBJ's War on Poverty and his vision of a Great Society. Fast forward to today, during the last vestiges, we hope, of the Bloomberg-Quinn era, and you see what's left of our progressive heritage is now in tatters, and somehow Ellen Chesler, a fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, would have you believe that Christine Quinn deserves your vote, just because she's a woman. Ms. Chesler had the audacity to write, "Chris Quinn has been a powerful agent of progress and change." How do progressive political sensibilities get to the point that they are openly undermined by Bloomberg and Quinn today ? By the corruption of those last standard-bearers of this ideology.

Roots of Betrayal : Book Reading and Q&A at Bluestockings

"Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of Christine Quinn" -- Book Signing and Discussion

On Tuesday, July 23 at 7 p.m., the LGBT blogger and activist Louis Flores will be at Bluestockings, 172 Allen Street, Lower East Side, to present a short YouTube video from his online activism, which shows how the closing of St. Vincent's Hospital led to the beginning of his research about the political betrayals of Christine Quinn. And then the author will read from Vol. I of Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of Christine Quinn. A Q&A will follow.

Please RSVP to the Facebook event : "Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of Christine Quinn" -- Book Signing and Discussion

By the end of this week, Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of Christine Quinn can presently be purchased at the following bookstores :

• Book Thug Nation, 100 N. Third Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn ;
• Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers, 218 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
• St. Mark’s Bookshop, 31 Third Avenue, Manhattan ; and
• Bluestockings, 172 Allen Street, Manhattan.

2013-06-26 "Roots of Betrayal : The Ethics of Christine Quinn" - Press Release by Connaissable

Bill de Blasio Is Uncommitted To Saving NYC Libraries

New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio talks down the wave of library closings under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He says it is not his priority.

The Public Advocate, who is running for mayor this year, does not directly address the fact that civic activist Michael D. D. White points out that the Public Advocate has accepted campaign money from the Ratner real estate developer.

How disappointing to see the Public Advocate have no position on library closings in Brooklyn, or the disastrous plans (known as the Central Library Plan) for the Main Library on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Isn't he supposed to be advocating for the people as Public Advocate ? If he abdicates that role as Public Advocate, what would he be like as mayor ?

For more information, please visit http://www.savenypl.org or visit the blog : Citizens Defending Libraries or sign the petition.

Bill Thompson Starts To Show Up To Mayor's Race

“School closing is not an educational strategy, and the Bloomberg administration has embraced it as such,” former comptroller Bill Thompson said. “They act as if school closings are real policy. They are not. If anything it’s an admission of failure.” (Gotham Schools : Support For A Moratorium On School Closures Gains Steam) Meanwhile, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn still supports mayoral control of schools, which allows Mayor Bloomberg to continue his scorched earth campaign against public education. (Capital New York : Christine Quinn Opposes Union Plan To Undo Mayoral Control Of Schools)

The Wrath of Quinn : Endorse Her Or Else No Slush Funds For You !

City Council Members Fear Budget Revenge if They Don't Endorse Quinn

From DNA Info :

Many City Council members are wary of endorsing candidates in the 2013 mayoral race until after budget season because they're afraid a vengeful Speaker Christine Quinn will cut their share of $50 million in discretionary funds, DNAinfo.com New York has learned.

The funds, which are controlled by the speaker, are dished out to members each summer to fund constituent-pleasing services, such as community centers and seniors programs. While Quinn’s office has long insisted that the money is allocated based on districts' needs, it’s no secret that members on Quinn’s good side tend to profit — while those who cross her get their budgets slashed.

And many Council members now worry that endorsing a rival in the mayor's race, where Quinn is widely perceived as the front-runner, will result in the same fate.

“I definitely think that discretionary funds will be wielded as a weapon in the fight for endorsements,” said one Democratic Council member, who, like nearly a dozen others who spoke to DNAinfo.com New York, asked for anonymity to avoid angering Quinn.

“Certainly, that is the elephant in the room,” another member said.

“It’s a legal form of blackmail," still another member said.

To avoid retribution, some Council members are weighing postponing their endorsements until July, after the budget is adopted and Quinn no longer has sway over the money.

See also : Endorse Quinn - or else ! (via Queens Crap)

Over 1,000 Tweets on @StopChrisQuinn Account

Over 1,000 Tweets ! Thanks to our followers. Visit our blog : christine-quinn-sold-out.blogspot.com and 'LIKE' our Facebook page : facebook.com/pages/Queers-A…

— Stop Christine Quinn (@stopchrisquinn) January 29, 2013

Moss Engages Emily's List President Over Quinn Endorsement

Donny Moss, one of the core organisers amongst the activists, who are launching a grass-roots government integrity campaign against New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, engaged over Twitter today with Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emily's List, over the group's endorsement of Speaker Quinn's mayoral ambitions.

@schriock1 Have u spoken 2 @gloriasteinem re Quinn’s record on issues affecting women in NYC? @paidsickdays @livingwagenyc@stopchrisquinn

— Defeat Chris Quinn (@donnymossnyc) January 11, 2013

John Liu Has No Problem Being ‘Embattled’

From Politicker :

Comptroller John Liu, a likely candidate for mayor this year, has been consistently tagged as “embattled” by media outlets due to the criminal indictments against his campaign treasurer and a top donor. Over time, however, the press has largely dropped the term, even as his campaign treasurer’s trial plows ahead.

However, in a brief email to reporters inviting them to attend his birthday party fundraiser tonight, Mr. Liu’s campaign embraced the term themselves with a tongue-in-cheek reference to the candidate as “embattled.”

“Embattled Comptroller John Liu would like to invite you as a guest to his birthday fundraiser tonight,” the invitation read.

This is not the first time Mr. Liu has addressed this “embattled” reputation. In May of last year, he held a campaign event and mocked the moniker while turning the it into a rallying cry.

“I have a new nickname: ‘The embattled comptroller,’” he said. “Well let me say this: I am ready, willing and able to go into battle for what I think is right for the City of New York.”

Tonight’s fundraiser for Mr. Liu will take place at Jing Fong dim sum restaurant in Chinatown.

Upcoming January 2013 Protests Against Christine Quinn

Upcoming Protests Against Christine Quinn : January 2013

Here are two upcoming protests against the mayoral campaign by New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn :

Protest against Christine Quinn at education forum 1/15myemail.constantcontact.com/Protest-Agains… @uft @chriscquinn @stopchrisquinn @nycschools #defeatquinn

— Defeat Chris Quinn (@donnymossnyc) January 7, 2013

Christine Quinn will be speaking (campaigning) at an education event next Tuesday morning (1/15) at the New School on West 11th between 5th and 6th. If you live in on the West Side, please join us in a protest against Quinn. This is a great opportunity to educate voters about her record.

What: Protest Against Quinn

Where: 65 West 11th Street (btwn 5th & 6th Aves)

When: Tuesday, Jan 15th - 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

RSVP: via Constant Contact (click on e-mail hyperlink)

On Wednesday, January 16th, the Financial Women's Association is hosting a panel of "power women" which will... fb.me/1N5G7hqk6

— Defeat Chris Quinn (@donnymossnyc) January 7, 2013

On Wednesday, January 16th, the Financial Women's Association is hosting a panel of "power women" which will feature Christine Quinn. Please join us in protesting Quinn's consistent abuse of power to advance her political career.

What: Protest Against Christine Quinn

Where: Bank of NY Mellon 101 Barclay Street (Between Greenwich & West Streets). We will be at the entrance on Murray Street.

When: Wednesday, Dec 16th - 5:00 - 6:15 pm

RSVP: via Facebook

See you there.

Josh Isay Spin Described As ''Silliness'' By The New York Times

''Fast One'' comment by @joshisay described as ''silliness'' by @powellnyt nytimes.com/2012/12/25/nyr… @chriscquinn @suzannahbtroy @donnymossnyc

— Stop Christine Quinn (@stopchrisquinn) December 26, 2012

MTA Chairman Lhota Will Step Down To Run For Mayor

Eyeing a mayoral bid, the M.T.A. Chief Joseph J. Lhota is expected to resign on Friday to seek the Republican nomination in New York.

"Mr. Lhota, a former deputy mayor under Rudolph W. Giuliani, was widely hailed after the authority restored much of its subway service within a week of suffering unprecedented damage from Hurricane Sandy," reported The New York Times.

Alec Baldwin : Christine Quinn is "untrustworthy"

Video: Alec Baldwin Says Christine Quinn Is "Untrustworthy," Has "Blood On Her Hands"

Alec Baldwin dropped by CNN's Piers Morgan program last night and he said that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is "untrustworthy." Unfortunately, Mr. Baldwin didn't mention the post-Hurricane Sandy risk to public health following closing of St. Vincent's Hospital, but he did say that Speaker Quinn has "blood on her hands" from the over-turning of term limits. (read more : The Gothamist)

Piers Morgan : The last time we spoke, you were flirting with the idea of possibly running for mayor of New York. Are you still flirting with it ?

Alec Baldwin : No, because to do so - I mean, I was convinced, and people told me - although it was something that I would have loved to have done, truly, you would have to take about a year and a half of your life to do nothing but to raise money. And I didn't have time, because I'm doing the TV show now, and I have other commitments. But I'm very interested in what the post-Bloomberg New York will look like.

Piers Morgan : Who would you like to see of all the names you have heard in the frame outside of yours ?

Alec Baldwin : Probably Bill de Blasio. Right now, I'd have to say Bill de Blasio.

Piers Morgan : Why ?

Alec Baldwin : Well because, first of all, I start looking at the other candidates, all of whom have good qualities. The thing that concerns me most is obviously about Quinn. I've been very outspoken about Quinn, who's a lovely person. But she certainly is Bloomberg's hand-picked successor. And I resent that to some degree that Bloomberg feels he needs to control the fate of City Hall and of Gracie Mansion beyond his term. He already over-turned a voter-approved referendum that had term limits for two terms. Quinn has that blood on her hands. She was the one, who single-handedly killed the voter referendum at Bloomberg's behest and gave him a third term. And I was very, very upset about that. And I just don't think that Quinn is trustworthy. I think that she's a very, very - she's a very nice person, I've met her. But in terms of her political aspirations, she's a very untrustworthy person. She's very, very self-seeking.

Hillary Clinton vs. Christine Quinn

The story that seems to have been intentionally leaked, or planted in The New York Times, that Mayor Michael Bloomberg approached Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run for mayor in 2013 is full of half-truths. First, it was an attempt to saddle Mrs. Clinton in another public office, so that she would not run for president in 2016, a win for Republicans. Second, it was an attempt to make it appear that Mayor Bloomberg was not so invested in electioneering machinations to clear the Democratic Primary field for the mayoralty, so that Speaker Christine Quinn could have an easier time at winning, because, as we all know, the only way that she can win is if a billionaire Republican with his own Super PAC would interfere with the election process.

From The Wall Street Journal :

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg organized an awkward show of unity with City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, standing side by side at a press conference Tuesday following reports that he had discussed next year’s mayoral race with Hillary Clinton.

Quinn, of course, is the mayor’s political ally and the potential candidate widely viewed as his favored successor. Bloomberg on Tuesday didn’t confirm or deny a report in the New York Times that he has sought to lure Clinton into the race.

When asked why he recommended that the current U.S. secretary of state consider running for mayor, Bloomberg replied: “Why do you think I encouraged Hillary Clinton to run for mayor? I mean, were you — did you hear me say that?”

“I have run for mayor three times, successfully each one,” he added. “I considered a fourth. Chris [Quinn] and I talked about it. She kept urging me to do it. But I said, ‘No. It’s enough.’ ”

The mayor was joking about running for a fourth term. As he did so, Quinn made a face and motioned with her hand to suggest Bloomberg was talking crazy.

In 2008, Quinn reversed her position on term limits and persuaded her colleagues in the City Council to overturn the law, paving the way for the Bloomberg to run for a third term in 2009. As she pursues an expected mayoral campaign in 2013, her position on term limits will certainly be brought up by her opponents.

On Tuesday morning, however, Bloomberg focused more on extolling Quinn’s leadership. He said her role in the council had been a major factor in his success at City Hall.

The two politicians were speaking at a news conference marking the ground breaking at a 26-acre development on Manhattan’s West Side. During the mayor’s first term in office, he attempted unsuccessfully to win approval to build a stadium at this location — marking one of his biggest setbacks. Quinn, who was not yet speaker, fought aggressively against the stadium.

Bloomberg did not dwell on that Tuesday. “This woman has made an enormous difference in this city,” he said of Quinn. “She’s a leader and I have nothing but respect for her.”

When asked if he’s dissatisfied with the current crop of mayoral candidates, the mayor said: “I don’t know who’s going to run. But if you want to start a fight between me and Chris Quinn, you’re not going to do it. It’s cheap, lousy journalism.”

For her part, Quinn said she thought Clinton would make an excellent mayor. Clinton, a former U.S. senator from New York, is planning to step down as secretary of state next year and is being discussed as a potential Democratic candidate for president in 2016.

“You know, I think Hillary Clinton would excel in any position she ever takes. And why do I say that? Because she has,” Quinn said. “I don’t think there’s anything Hillary Clinton would put her mind to that she wouldn’t do extremely, extremely well — better than maybe anybody else who’s ever done it.”

Quinnipiac Poll : NYC Mayor - 11/21/12

If the election were held today, MTA boss Joe Lhota would lose to the Democratic nominee 60% to 9%, according to the Quinnipiac University poll. Another potential Republican candidate, former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, would not fare much better than Lhota, the poll found: Carrion would lose 62% to 11% if he ran on the Republican ticket.

(Source : The New York Daily News)

Tom Allon : Mandate Foreign Language Education

The United States is falling behind in international education standards, and one area where we lack a clear advantage is in being able to communicate in languages spoken in foreign countries.

Tom Allon at education forum: Eliminate testing in grades 1 through 5, mandate foreign language and science instruction in elementary.

— Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) November 21, 2012

For example, in France, all students are required to pick a foreign language in 6th grade, which each student will continue to learn until 12th grade. And then, in 8th grade, students against pick a second foreign language, which the student will learn concurrently with the first, all the way until 12th grade. In France, students graduate with proficiency in speaking three languages : French, and their two elective foreign languages.

Meanwhile, in the United States, we are lucky if students graduate with fluency in just one language. Leadership provided by Tom Allon's proposal would improve our education standards, not the least of which would also foster a truly global sensibility among America's youth.

Christine Quinn Is Politically Married To Vito Lopez

In 2006, when she was elected to become Speaker of the New York City Council, Christine Quinn turned to help from Vito Lopez in Brooklyn, for the votes of Brooklyn councilmembers, in an effort to thwart Bill De Blasio, who (no surprise) failed in his campaign to become Speaker. Like then, Speaker Quinn is now turning to extending favours to Mr. Lopez. Only now, what is at stake is not the speakership, but the mayoralty.

Speaker Quinn needs to pump the political machine in Brooklyn for votes, because she has angered so many voters in her own City Council District over community-crushing development that is allowing New York University to overwhelm the special social fabric of Greenwich Village, that closed St. Vincent's Hospital, and that is going to destroy the character of Chelsea Market.

And, in exchange, Speaker Quinn is being suspected of delivering to Mr. Lopez a redistricted seat in Brooklyn, to give him a soft landing, once he gets kicked out of the New York State Assembly.

Bill Thompson "Invisible Man" ?

Mayor Bloomberg's spokesman calls Bill Thompson, "the invisible mayoral candidate" bit.ly/Q5gqUV

— Dana Rubinstein (@danarubinstein) November 19, 2012

Carrion's Long Road To Mayoral Quest

Carrion's long road ahead in quest for mayorm.nypost.com/p/news/opinion…

— NYC Politics (@PoliticsInNYC) November 20, 2012