Saturday, October 20, 2018

The Honeymooners: Why I Believe Ralph Kramden Would've Defended Rosa Parks

 
It was 1955 when the American television audience was introduced to a lovable group of characters known as The Honeymooners", which starred Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph. Gleason, who was in charge of production, portrayed Brooklyn bus driver Ralph Kramden, a hapless spirit in search of his next big break or investment scheme. His best friend, Ed Norton, was a bumbling sewer worker who wasn’t exactly blessed in the brains department. Their wives, Alice and Trixie, may have seemed subtle in their roles, but they frequently kept their husbands in check or got the upper hand in each episode.

This was also the year that the civil rights period was launched. On December 1, a weary seamstress named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on an Alabama bus. Parks was actually sitting in the “colored” section when the driver ordered her to move. She was well within her rights to remain seated when the monsters called racism and segregation reared their ugly heads and attacked. Parks, like the biblical David, stood up to the beasts and issued the initial blow in the form of defiance. As a result, a force of one became an army of thousands. A Black brigade came forth and boycotted the Alabama bus system, and within a year or so they managed to slay these evil beasts. 



I recently caught an episode of The Honeymooners. I laughed hysterically, as usual, but this time I actually stopped and analyzed Ralph Kramden’s character. I thought about the fact that he drove for the Gotham Bus Company and would have no problem getting in someone’s face if they pissed him off. He may have come off as a loose canon in each episode, but he was always level-headed, kind, and reasonable in the end. Moreover, I don’t think Ralph had a racist bone in his body. Why do I say this? Well, any man that was willing to admit that he grossly misjudged someone and their culture, as he did in the episode with “Carlos”, the Mambo dancer, you have to believe that man was on point when it came to issues of race. 

The bus segregation that Rosa Parks fought against was commonplace in southern states. However, if it had been a common practice in New York City, and had Gleason decided to tackle the issue in an episode, I strongly believe Ralph would’ve defended his Rosa Parks-like character. More than likely, Ralph would’ve gone as far as to tell anybody that hassled the character, “Keep it up pal and you are gonna get yours!”  

Undoubtedly, the other characters would've stood firmly behind him. Alice and Trixie gave you the impression they were always willing to engage in “girl talk” with anyone, and Alice frequently associated with people in her building. “Mrs. Manicotti.”, an Italian neighbor, is a perfect example. The wives probably would have wasted no time inviting Parks over for dinner upon hearing about the incident. With Ed Norton, you always got the sense that he was cool with everybody, especially if they had a refrigerator that was always fully-stocked. He probably would have summed up the situation by saying, “Geez! You did the right thing there, Ralphie Boy! It’s like we say down in the sewer; White or Black, we all smell the same at some point!”

If Gleason had been able to write and produce such an episode, it would've been a monumental television event. I'd like to think that he considered it, but given the state of race relations in the country at that time, and the fact that he couldn’t risk angering the CBS station managers during the show’s first season, he may have been forced to dismiss the idea. I believe Gleason would've written the episode, and I offer the following as proof.

“Keeping Time: The Life, Music and Photographs of Milt Hinton” is an amazing documentary film that chronicles the life of legendary jazz bassist Milt Hinton. Hinton, who died in 2000 at the age of 90, played with Cab Calloway and other legends of the Big Band era. The documentary noted the following: “After the disbanding of the big bands, many Blacks were not able to get work as studio musicians because of the racist belief that they could not read music. Hinton became one of very few Blacks to break the color barrier and secure a job as a studio musician thanks to a chance meeting with longtime friend Jackie Gleason. Gleason insisted that Hinton join his television show orchestra.” 

Furthermore, Gleason, who had an intense love for jazz, frequently showcased Black artists, such as Nat King Cole, when he hosted The Jackie Gleason Show. Airing in 1952, the show made Gleason a national star and provided exposure for many Black stars that were shunned by other networks and shows. Based on these revelations, I'm more than confident that if Gleason had written the controversial episode, the legendary, tough-talking Kramden would've stared down racism while uttering those immortal words...“Bang, Zoom!”

This commentary is from the heart and....from The G-Man. 

How the 2018 Vote Is At Risk — and What You Can Do to Protect It


As the 2018 elections approach, we’re seeing a growing range of threats to voting: Strict voter registration rules in Georgia that could create hurdles for minority voters; a voter ID law in North Dakota, blessed by the Supreme Court, that’s likely to hit Native Americans hardest; and in several states, purges of the rolls that risk disenfranchising eligible voters. Meanwhile, gerrymandered maps in several large states are set to produce results that don’t reflect the will of voters. And although intelligence officials have warned that foreign adversaries are likely to attack our election systems again, few states have done enough to keep the vote secure.

Click here for the full report. 

Source: Brennan Center for Justice

News Time Capsule: There Are 'Nazis' in Congress, Says Former Republican Leader John Boehner

 
By Jeremy B. White 

This article was originally published on October 31, 2017.

Former Republican Leader of the House John Boehner has claimed there are “Nazis” serving in Congress

“We’ve got some of the smartest people in America who serve in the Congress, and we’ve got some of the dumbest”, Mr Boehner said. “We have some of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet, and some that are Nazis”.

The Ohio Republican and former Speaker of the House talked candidly about his former congressional colleagues in a lengthy article.

After presiding over a caucus fractured by the rise of the Tea Party, which propelled multiple challenges to his leadership, Mr Boehner ultimately stepped down. He has since become a critic of Donald Trump, whom he described as a “populist” without “an ideological bone in his body”, but he said Mr Trump is not prejudiced.  

“I do not believe that he is a racist. I do not believe that he is a white supremacist,” Mr Boehner told POLITICO Magazine. “He has clearly done some things to lead people who never liked him to say those things about him.” 

Click here for the full article.

Source: The Independent

Shields and Brooks on Health Care, Trump's Khashoggi Reaction


Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss health care, Democrats’ campaign strategy and an unfolding American “cultural drama.”

This report was published on YouTube on October 19. 

'Future Hope' Column: Get Out the Vote Time -- to Stop Fascism

 
By Ted Glick

I don’t think I’ve ever written one of these columns using the word fascism in the title. Unfortunately, very unfortunately, I think it’s accurate for what we are facing under Trump and his Republican Party if at least one house of Congress is not lost by the Republicans on November 6.

I remember a meeting in Washington, DC a couple of days before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2017. 50 or 60 of us were making plans for what turned out to be a very successful nonviolent blockade by a thousand or more people of many of the entrances into the Trump inauguration ceremony. Someone made a comment about how he was very concerned about what would happen after Mafioso Don took office and we had to operate under conditions of fascism. I spoke up and said that I didn’t agree with that point of view, that having a President who wants to rule in a fascist-like way didn’t mean it was going to happen, that between the courts and the press and maybe the Democrats and definitely our independent resistance movement, there were reasons to have hope that we could forestall fascism.

So far, I think the united front of resistance in all its different forms has done that, even as, on one front after the other, we are either moving backwards or standing still. But if the Republicans maintain control of Congress in this election, we and the rest of the world are in deep shit.

Polls continue to show that a big majority of the US voting population is down on Trump. But if that majority doesn’t come out to vote in big numbers the polls really don’t matter.

I’ve been thinking about what I personally can do beyond what I’ve done so far, which is: speak with friends and people I know about the importance of this election—write in these columns and elsewhere urging people to do the right thing November 6—and put up a yard sign for the Democrat running for Congress in my district. If there was a strong progressive who had a decent chance of winning for the House or the Senate in my area, I’d probably be doing a lot of work for them, but there just isn’t such a person.

I’ve decided that what I’ll do, over the next two weeks leading up to election day, is make a lot of calls to people I know but who I don’t know well enough to be sure that they’re going to come out and vote. I plan to call dozens of people over that time, maybe as many as 100.

That’s my personal plan to help prevent Trump and the Republican’s continuing control of Congress, to forestall fascism. I hope others who aren’t already actively working in the way they’ve decided is right for them will do the same.

Each of us ultimately has but one thing to offer to the cause of justice and human progress: our life and how we use it for good. Let’s all do so right now, as much as we can over the next two weeks.

 
Ted Glick has been an activist, organizer and writer since 1968. Past writings and other information can be found at https://tedglick.com, and he can be followed on twitter at https://twitter.com/jtglick.

NYS Assemblyman Blake: 'We Must Continue to Fight for Justice for Andrew Kearse and His Family'


The following statement was issued on October 19 by New York State Assembly member Michael Blake, who represents the 79th district. The assemblyman also serves as a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Andrew Kearse’s life was taken away at the hands of law enforcement and today, our justice system failed him once again.  We must continue to fight for justice for Andrew Kearse and his family.  
 
My heart goes out to Andrew’s wife Angie and their entire family as a Grand Jury inexplicably declined charges against the officers of the Schenectady Police Department. On video, Andrew conveyed that he was having breathing problems, and yet, in an inhumane manner, he was denied assistance and subsequently perished. The deliberate indifference to his obvious medical needs shocks the conscience. These police officers thought that because he was under arrest, he did not deserve pure decency and civility. The list of injustices in this case are extensive. Yet again, a District Attorney's instructions and the transcript of the proceedings were not released.  We therefore do not know what guidance was shared or even worse, if a charge that was difficult to prove was the only option presented for consideration.  

Assembly member Michael Blake

Andrew, Angie and their family are our constituents and moreover, they are part of our community, one that is consistently faced with challenges simply to survive. Angie and their children live in public housing and have endured substandard living conditions, the most recent of which is living without sufficient gas service in their building for weeks. Now, her family must endure another reminder of heartbreak. Angie lost her husband, her children lost their father and our community has lost another Black male to unjust treatment at the hands of law enforcement. 
 
We refuse for today's disappointing news to be the final part of this story. Andrew Kearse will not be another number or statistic added to a growing list of Black men who are being ripped from our communities. We will continue to press forward and demand #JusticeForAndrewKearse.   

Source: The Office of New York State Assemblyman Michael Blake

Friday, October 19, 2018

The Press and the Civil Rights Movement


This video was published on YouTube on July 9, 2016. 

Source: npatou

'Flashback Friday': When Teens Rebelled Against Society's Rules


This video was published on YouTube on November 27, 2017, by David Hoffman, who stated the following: 

This is a clip from the television series I made for PBS called "Making Sense of the Sixties". I had the chance to spend a year examining my youth and how and why kids like me became active members of the 60s generation. If you are from that generation or a child of the 60s, I think you would find the entire series of value.

Trailblazers in Black History: Samuel 'The Jet' Jethroe


Samuel Jethroe (1918-2001) was one of three of Negro league players, along with Marvin Williams and Jackie Robinson, urged to try out for the Boston Red Sox in 1945, but was ultimately turned away as Boston had no interest in being the catalyst of integration in Major League Baseball. 

Sam played eight seasons in the Negro Leagues with the Indianapolis ABCs (1938) and the Cincinnati/Cleveland Buckeyes (1942-1948) before getting his shot at the Major Leagues. Sam was a two-time batting champion and was instrumental in the Cleveland Buckeyes four-game sweep of the Homestead Grays in the 1945 Negro League World Series. 

He also helped lead the Buckeyes to the 1947 pennant, but they then lost to the New York Cubans in the 1947 Negro League World Series. Just as Brooklyn Dodgers manager Branch Rickey had done with Hall of Famer integrator Jackie Robinson, Jethroe signed with the Dodgers organization and began playing with their minor league affiliate, the Montreal Royals.

Click here for additional information.

Source: Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)

Derrick Johnson Discusses NAACP's Role in Campaign 2018


Johnson discussed his organization’s efforts to increase African-American turnout in this year’s midterm elections.

Click here for video.

Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Shields, Jr. Named 54th Adjutant General of NY


Major General Raymond F. Shields, Jr., a veteran of the War in Afghanistan who has served 35 years in the New York Army National Guard, has been named the 54th Adjutant General of New York. As Adjutant General, Shields will lead New York's military forces which include the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard. Major General Shields has been serving as Assistant Adjutant General and Commander of the 10,000 member New York Army National Guard since 2016.

Major General Shields replaces Major General Anthony German, an Air National Guard officer, who was named Adjutant General in April, 2016 and left the position on September 30. German will serve as a traditional National Guard officer in Washington, D.C. before retiring after 35 years of military service later this year.

"Major General Raymond F. Shields, Jr. is an outstanding leader who has distinguished himself in service overseas and played a key role in the New York National Guard's response to weather emergencies across the state and the nation," Governor Cuomo said. "His wealth of experience and knowledge in military affairs makes him the ideal candidate to lead the nearly 20,000 men and women who serve in our state's military forces and serve the people of New York. I thank Major General Anthony German for his service as Adjutant General and his many contributions to New York. He truly embodies the service and leadership that the National Guard stands for and I wish him the best in this next chapter."

Major General Raymond F. Shields, Jr. said, "I am truly honored by the confidence that Governor Cuomo has shown in me and I look forward to working with the men and women of the New York National Guard, the Naval Militia and the New York Guard to improve readiness and our ability to provide emergency responses when called by the Governor."

Major General Shields, a resident of Saratoga Springs, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the New York Army National Guard through the Reserve Officers Training Corps program in May of 1983 after graduating from the State University of New York at Albany.

He has served in a variety of military positions, including platoon leader, infantry company commander, battalion staff officer, battalion commander, brigade staff officer, brigade executive officer and deputy commander, brigade Chief of Staff, New York Army National Guard Chief of Staff and New York National Guard Director of Joint Staff.

Major General Shields served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009 as Chief of Staff for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, a NATO training mission which was led by the 27th brigade.

During his service, Major General Shields has been involved in the New York National Guard response to Superstorm Sandy, several snowstorms, Lake Ontario flood control missions, the New York National Guard response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017 and the response to Hurricane Florence earlier this year.

Major General Shields holds a bachelor's degree in history from SUNY Albany; a master's degree in public administration from Marist College, and a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.

His military education includes the Army Strategic Education Program, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, the National Security Studies Management Course at Syracuse University, the Army Senior Leader Development Program, and the General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar taught by Harvard University.

Major General Shields' awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

The New York Military Forces consist of 10,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, 5,800 members of the New York Air National Guard, 2,500 people who serve in the New York Naval Militia and 500 members of the New York Guard, the state's volunteer self-defense force.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Abolitionist Law Center: 'Sussex II Inmate Not Receiving Fair Treatment or Medical Care'

A self-portrait of Kevin Rashid Johnson 


The following report was submitted today by special correspondent Noelle Hanrahan, a private investigator and the director of Prison Radio

We just received an urgent report from the Abolitionist Law Center that requires our action to support Kevin Rashid Johnson. Rashid, who is a longtime prison organizer, artist, writer, Prison Radio contributor, and co-founder of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party-Prison Chapter, was just transferred again as retaliation for his commitment to speaking truth to power and his role in the #August21 Prison Strike.  


When he arrived at Sussex II in Virginia, he was treated so violently that he is currently having a high blood pressure episode that could lead to a stroke, but the prison refuses to give him a medical evaluation.

Here is an assessment of the situation, which was provided by the Abolitionist Law Center.

"On arriving at Sussex II (Wahe was greeted with attack dogs lunging at him while he was fully chained up. He is being served meals on a rubber mat, without utensils, and with no cups, so he is being made to eat with his hands. He was placed in a filthy cell that has blood on the toilet. There is no toilet paper or other hygiene products for him to clean himself with. He is currently refusing meals because he is being presented with the choice of eating like an animal in filthy conditions where he cannot clean himself.

"He is in his cell 24hrs per day. He is being refused any recreational time. He has a guard standing sentry in front of his cell door 24hrs a day. All staff have been instructed not to speak to him, and with the exception of brief conversations with the warden and a nurse they are following through on that. About 2 or 3 cells on  either side of his cell are being kept empty so he can't communicate with other prisoners. They placed a sandbag in front of his cell door so he can't send kites. has not been let out of his cell since arriving yesterday. When he eventually does leave his cell he will be required to have a 4-guard escort along with a supervisor.

"He was not given his blood pressure medications last night. He began having a headache at that time and repeatedly asked a Sgt. Morse for medical assistance. When he woke up around 4:30am he had a sever nose bleed, and again repeatedly requested medical attention from the guard posted in front of his cell. He was ignored. When he requested forms to file an emergency grievance he was told that he was not allowed to have the forms, and that he was not allowed to have ink pens to write with.

"A nurse Burgess came by his cell on rounds at about 5:30am and gave him his first dose of medication. She said that with his symptoms and diagnosis he should be sent to medical for evaluation, but the guards refused to allow it. She went back to talk to her supervisor and was told that security would have to arrange to move him. Security never made those arrangements, and so Rashid is stuck in his cell without anyone monitoring his blood pressure or adjusting his medications while he's having a high blood pressure episode that could lead to a stroke.

"He has been presented with no disciplinary reports since being placed back in the Virginia Department of Corrections. He suspects that, while at Sussex I, VADOC security personnel arranged for him to be put in a holding area with a prisoner with a psychiatric disability who was setup to tell lies about Rashid regarding gangs and a plan to hurt a guard. This happened just before he was told about an impending hearing for an interstate transfer. He also says that he'd sent 4 articles for publication, which have never arrived, and would have included writings about the use of dogs to abuse VA prisoners and more."

We must stand up to the constant abuse, medical neglect, and censorship targeted toward Rashid. Help us amplify his fight for his own health and safety, and his commitment to speaking out against injustices and organizing movements from the inside.

Your calls matter! The warden at Sussex II is Beth Cabell. The number to reach her is (804) 834-2678. Please call and if you can't get Cabell on the phone, ask to speak with her assistant or with Assistant Warden Darden. 

From The G-Man placed a call today to speak with Warden Cabell and obtain an update on Johnson's condition, but no one was available. Updates will be posted as they become available.  

Cardi B Hands Out Coats, Takes Selfies with Fans in Brooklyn



From The G-Man applauds the music superstar's kindness and generosity and hopes she will continue to do things that showcase her in a positive light. As long as she and her management team are consistent in this effort, a spot will always be reserved for her on this site.  

Continued success, Miss Almánzar

"G-Man"  

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Here Are the Trump Projects Where Ivanka and Her Dad Misled Buyers

 
Read the Trumps’ false statements — and what the actual facts were.

Washington Journal: Simone Pathe Discusses Most Vulnerable House Members


Pathe, Roll Call's senior politics reporter, talked about her publications list of the most vulnerable House of  Representatives members.

Click here for video.

Source: C-SPAN 

Governor Cuomo Tours the Gateway Tunnel


October 17, 2018 - Governor Cuomo tours the Gateway Tunnel to expose corrosion and damage, calling on President Trump and Washington to stop playing politics and fund their share of the repairs.

Source: NYGovCuomo

David Dinkins to Attend NYJTL Leadership Luncheon


For over 30 years, all of the proceeds from New York Junior Tennis and Learning's (NYJTL) Leadership Luncheon have directly supported free tennis and education programs. This has been possible, in large part, through the efforts of the Benenson family, which underwrites all expenses for the annual fundraiser. 

This year's event will be held at The Pierre on November 6. Katrina M. Adams, Chairman and President of the Board of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), and Michael Cayre, President of Midtown Equities will be honored and Jon Wertheim will serve as emcee.    

Wertheim is an accomplished author and full-time tennis journalist at Sports Illustrated. He is also a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes on CBS, and an analyst for Tennis Channel. 

Earlier this year, his book, Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played, was adapted into a Tennis Channel documentary.

Click here for additional information. 

Source: NYJTL

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Black Panther Party Historical Landmark Faces Foreclosure


On Tuesday October 16, 2018, the Black Panther Party Cubs launched a 48-hour fundraiser telethon to save the Hampton House starting at 3p.m. (CST). This event comes on the 50th anniversary of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party and the second-year anniversary commemorating the death of Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton Senior’s mother, Mrs. Iberia Hampton.

Deputy Chairman of the Illinois Chapter of The Black Panther Party, Fred Hampton, was born on August 30, 1948. He was raised in the Chicago neighborhood of Maywood, Illinois.

In 1968, he joined The Black Panther Party (BPP), which was headquartered in Oakland, California. Under Chairman’s leadership, the following programs were developed: The Free Breakfast Program, which fed thousands of children every week, and medical programs, which provided the nations first sickle cell anemia testing programs and laid the foundation for government research on sickle cell disease.

Additionally, The Transportation Programs provided access for individuals to and from prisons for visiting loved ones and encouraging self-determination.

Notice of Foreclosure

Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr. recently obtained information detailing a Notice of Foreclosure and Sale of the Hampton property. Upon contacting the mortgage company, he has learned that $80,000 is required to stop the foreclosure sale of this historical landmark. The sale is scheduled for October 23, 2018, and an additional $200,000 is required to make necessary repairs and updates to bring the building up to code.

The Hampton House is located at 804 South 17th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois.

Click here and here for additional information.

Source: Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr. 

Pompeo Remarks on Jamal Khashoggi Disappearance (Audio Only)


After meetings in Istanbul to discuss Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells reporters the administration is not giving the Saudis the benefit of the doubt on the matter, but rather giving them time to investigate it.

Click here for audio. 

Source: C-SPAN 

Chief Justice Roberts Stresses Supreme Court's Independence

 
Referring to the "contentious" confirmation hearings for now-Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Chief Justice John Roberts, stresses in a speech at the University of Minnesota the importance of keeping the judiciary separate from the "political branches." He goes on to say that "the story of the Supreme Court would be very different without that sort of independence," and he highlights several decisions that would not have come about, including 1954 Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. Quoting Justice Kavanaugh, Chief Justice Roberts says, "As our newest colleague put it, we do not sit on opposite sides of an aisle, we do not caucus in separate rooms, we do not serve one party or one interest, we serve one nation." And he concludes, "I want to assure all of you that we will continue to do that, to the best of our abilities, whether times are calm or contentious." 

This report was broadcast on October 16. 

Click here for video.

The 'I Am Woman' Series: Amy Adams


This video was published on YouTube on January 3, 2017. 

Source: Deadline Hollywood

Michael Beschloss Chronicles American ‘Presidents of War’


When it came to involving the nascent republic in military conflict, one of the founding fathers’ biggest fears was that American presidents would be reckless and aggressive to suit their own agendas. Judy Woodruff sits down with presidential historian Michael Beschloss, author of the new book "Presidents of War," to discuss the history of executive war decisions and why they’re problematic.

PSC Seeks Comment on Community Distributed Generation Proposal

 
ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced today that it was seeking comment on a Department of Public Service report recommending options to create additional opportunities for customers to participate in Community Distributed Generation (CDG) projects. The objective of CDG programs is to open participation in renewable energy to those previously blocked from participating.

In the report, Department staff recommend expanding opportunity for customers to participate in CDG projects within utility territories where previously authorized incentives for distributed solar have been fully subscribed. This includes Orange & Rockland and Central Hudson, where more than 190 megawatts of CDG are already in service or in advanced stages of development. Staff propose making increased upfront incentives available to about 100 megawatts of new projects split between Orange & Rockland and Central Hudson, in order to nurture continued market growth while managing overall costs.

With the issuance of the report the Commission sought public comment, concurrently Department staff continued to work with interested stakeholders to develop final recommendations for Commission consideration. The comment period on the report ends on October 22, 2018.

Click here for the full announcement.

Source: New York State Public Service Commission

Charter Spectrum Update: Statement from Governor Cuomo


"In 2016, the Public Service Commission granted Charter Spectrum a lucrative franchise to operate in this state. That PSC approval was expressly conditioned on certain representations made by Charter Spectrum. Those representations included maintaining the skilled workforce and bringing high speed internet to unserved and underserved communities. The company has not lived up to their representations and the PSC has been engaged in a protracted process to revoke their franchise. 

"I have publicly stated my opposition to and outrage at Charter's conduct on numerous occasions. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for boycotting the network and encourage other officials to do the same. Consumers must be made aware of the abuses of Charter Spectrum, which the network has conspicuously failed to report on any of its broadcasts. Consumer pressure will affect Charter's bottom line, which is obviously their only concern." 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Senator Sanders Provides Encouragement and Support at Queens Events

 
Senator James Sanders Jr., center, joined Flowers of Hope for a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Brookville Park. (Click on the photos to increase their size.)

Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) supported Breast Cancer Awareness Month by attending and co-sponsoring events in Southeast Queens. About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12.4%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, according to statistics by breastcancer.org

Senator Sanders joined Flowers of Hope for a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 14, at Brookville Park, where he presented certificates of recognition to survivors (male and female) at a ceremony during the event. He commended the honorees for their bravery and expressed his support for those still battling the disease. In a symbolic gesture, pink balloons were released into the air. Pink is the color associated with breast cancer awareness.

Senator Sanders, center, was pleased at the turnout for the Rochdale Village Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.

"We are turning our attention to a real war," Sanders said. "Yes, the government should be involved in a war, but not those foolish wars overseas, I'm talking about a war on cancer. Instead of spending all that money on planes and bombs, put half of that into cancer research. If you just took even 1/3 of what is being spent, you could solve this problem. We do want war - war on breast cancer, war on ovarian cancer, war on prostate cancer, and all the other types of cancer."

On October 13, Senator Sanders attended a breast cancer awareness walk at Rochdale Village, where he was pleased by the outpouring of support from the community. The Rochdale Village Board of Directors donated $1,000 to the American Cancer Society. The walk kicked off with a performance by the Elite Marching Band. 

Senator Sanders offers words of encouragement at a Breast Cancer Awareness Month mass at Christ the King Church.

Later that day, Sanders co-sponsored an "Aware with Prayer" mass at Christ the King Church in Jamaica, where survivors shared their stories of how they overcame breast cancer. Informational materials about the disease were also presented.

Source and photo credits: The Office of State Senator James Sanders, Jr.