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Bronx, New York.- I was extremely disappointed with the news that Speaker Sheldon Silver did not appoint any Latinos, not one single Latino, to any of the Assembly's Leadership positions for 2009-2010 legislative session. This raises questions on the importance Latinos are for the Speaker and I hope that our Latino leaders in the Assembly do not let this pass as if it has no importance.
On December 30th, 2008, I issued a statement calling for the Speaker to consider selecting one or more of our 11 Latino Assembly members. While I did not support any one Assembly member, I was hoping to see Assembly Peter Rivera (no relation to me) selected to a position with the Assembly's Leadership. As the longest-serving Latino lawmaker in New York State, Assemblyman Rivera had definitely earned it and would have been the ideal candidate. But, again, Speaker Silver has failed to recognize the importance Latinos play in this City and State.
If this does not change by the next session, I will make sure that the Speaker hears the voice of Latinos. We will pay him a visit at his home and his office. Maybe then will the Speaker give Latinos the opportunity we have earned in the State.
In the meantime, I would like to remind the Speaker that the 64th district has undergone some demographic shifts since he was first elected and elections are every 2 years, not in four or six.
I am also ready, willing and able to stand shoulder to shoulder with any of our Latino Assembly members who is/are willing to stand up for the fight. Unity works, just look at the recent results in the State Senate where The Three Amigos (Senators Espada, Diaz and Krueger) stood with each other from beginning to end and now the Senate has Latinos in the leadership. It takes courage and we will all be waiting to see who has it.
"What made this campaign special was you. And don't let anybody forget it. Don't let anybody take that away from you. Because I promise you, I promise you, if everybody in this hall is willing to keep doing what you guys did over the last two years, then I'm optimistic about America." President Barack Obama, Staff Ball - January 22, 2009, Washington, DC
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PPPPPUUUURRRRRRRR!!!!!!
Is it real change when they change the color of the person screwing you?..........
It still feels the same to me (ouch!)
I hope it is NOT a case where we have one color blind guy (Gov Patterson) who qualifies as a double minority since he has a handicap... and that was the redneck rationale for not appointing latinos. This type subtle racism has happened all over the USA and now rednecks live everywhere and they have ways to rationalize their thoughts (in order to make themselves feel better).
Lastly, my problem is ... what in the hell is TS talking about with the comparison "change we can believe" thus making a local issue comparable with our new US President? The add-on comment by Actionshots only reinforce this reign of thought.
I am perplex especially after the former President from Texas brought us to economic meltdown! WTF!
I'll be happy to discuss the past 8 years & impacts. First, when the Texan Prez took office after Clinton, he (Bush) was handed not only a "balanced" budget & strong peace time economy but a "budget surplus". What happened? ANSWER: It's leadership stupid!
Now while these GOP guys talked "less Gov regulation" including the banking industry, cutting taxes while raising spending (i.e. $10 Billion/month - Iraq) they were also talking "fiscal responsibility" out the other sides of their mouths (while creating Trillion $$ debt for Obama).
More history shall prove GOP-R-hypocrites & US does NOT need another Hubert Hoover to push US over the edge!
So, pick a topic - record foreclosures, bankruptcies, Deficit, home values, failing banks but sky-high exec pay & massive layoffs, Iraqi war, costs & deaths in many American families BUT NOT 1 weapon of mass destruction to put in the Smithsonian Institute! WTF!
Recall, Obama wanted more controls b/4 Madeoff came out!