How’s this for a headline: “Prosecutor in Garner case ponders Grimm seat” ?

That was the way the AP decided to put it right out there on Yahoo News

It probably could fly pretty well in Staten Island and Southwest Brooklyn   —   However, do Boehner insiders in the GOP congressional caucus and the rest of the National GOP Establishment want that albatross around their necks through the 2016 elections ?

Boehner called Grimm’s decision to resign “Honorable”  —   But he might also see the selection of Donovan to be the GOP candidate as going from the frying pan into the fire

According to an AP headlined article that appeared on Yahoo, “Potential candidates eyed a Staten Island congressional seat Tuesday as Republican Rep. Michael Grimm announced his resignation, following a guilty plea on tax evasion charges. ***   Among the possible candidates is a Staten Island prosecutor who oversaw a case in which a white New York City police officer was cleared in the death of a black man in an apparent chokehold. Two state lawmakers [Republican Nicole Malliotakis and Democrat Michael Cusick] and a former congressman [Democrat Michael McMahon] who was unseated by Grimm could also be interested in the open seat....” (See “Prosecutor in Garner case ponders Grimm seat” by Matthew Daly, 12/30/14, Yahoo News/ AP [http://news.yahoo.com/guilty-plea-ny-congressman-resign-142032217.html]).

The Yahoo/AP article by Matthew Daly repeatedly pointed out that Republican Dan Donovan was the prosecutor in a case in which a Staten Island Grand Jury cleared a white New York City police officer in the death of Eric Garner, a black man, after Garner had been placed in an apparent prohibited choke-hold; and that Garner's death touched off nationwide protests and was one of two police killings cited by a gunman who murdered two New York City police officers earlier this month. It was also mentioned that Donovan is considered the front-runner among the several potential GOP candidates for Grimm’s seat.

Various sources say GRIMM WILL RESIGN

Maybe as soon as tomorrow...

Other than "Yippee !"  What more needs to be said ?

Protests and Counter-protests before and after the terrorist killings of Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos

Police turning their backs on the Mayor deBlasio of New York are legitimate counter-protests – Especially at the wakes and funerals of police officers murdered in an environment created by deBlasio   —   in fact, the same should be done to “President” Obama the next time he shows up for exactly the same reasons 

De Blasio, Obama and Sharpton enabled and prodded somebody exactly like Ismaaiyl Brinsley to kill P.O. Liu and P.O. Ramos 

Over the weekend Police Commissioner Bratton and even former Mayor Rudy Giuliani criticized the cops who turned their backs on Mayor deBlasio at various functions related to the deaths of Police Officers Liu and Ramos (See “Bratton, Giuliani: Cops’ Turning Their Backs on the Mayor Was Wrong” by Patrick Brennan, 12/28/14, National Review/ The Corner [http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/395414/bratton-giuliani-cops-turning-their-backs-mayor-was-wrong-patrick-brennan]). Both men’s remarks were reported in the papers; and both spoke on this, that or the other Sunday Morning national news programs.

AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED  —  WHAT BRATTON AND GIULIANI SAID ABOUT THE COPS’ TURNING THEIR BACKS ON MAYOR DE BLASIO IS COMPLETE BULLSHIT !

If they really supported the police, both Bratton and Giuliani were wrong to say what they did. It was especially wrong for Bratton, whose words also had the weight of his current office, NYC Police Commissioner, behind them. Bratto’s remarks and sentiments showed that he doesn’t get it — and he really doesn’t have his cops’ backs in this fight against urban terrorists and their facilitators. To a lesser extent neither does Rudy Guiliani, in spite of all his rhetoric to the contrary.

Policemen have a right to counter-demonstrate and counter-speak by all means not specifically prohibited by law. Any police rules to the contrary need to be held to the highest standards of constitutional review before any attempt to enforce them against any police employees, of any category, rank or grade.

Today’s Police Academy taunts at de Blasio were pitch-perfect. Let’s see what Bratton says about them.

BRATTON’S PAST REMARKS 

For Bratton’s remarks and appearances, please see the following ( e.g.,  “Bratton: ‘Very inappropriate’ for cops to turn backs on de Blasio” by Marisa Schultz, 12/28/14, NY Post [http://nypost.com/2014/12/28/bratton-very-inappropriate-for-cops-to-turn-backs-on-de-blasio/], “Police Boss: Less Rhetoric, More Dialogue Needed” by Jonathan Lemire, 12/29/14, Associated Press [http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/amid-tension-20000-attend-nypd-funeral-27859036], and many, many other MSM outlets). If this bean-towner can’t back his guys better than this pack him and his strange accent off to Boston or whatever Down East place he came from.

GIULIANI’S ALMOST AS BAD

On the key point of NYPD officers demonstrating against Mayor deBlasio. Giuliani’s remarks and appearances were almost as bad as Bratton’s.  According to the report in Politico: “Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Sunday rebuked police officers who have turned their backs on Mayor Bill de Blasio but urged his Democratic successor to apologize for remarks that infuriated the police amid searing tension among the department and communities of color. ***  Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Giuliani said officers should never turn their backs on the mayor, as they did Saturday at the funeral of slain officer Rafael Ramos, who was shot and killed Dec. 20 by an assailant who targeted police. *** ‘The mayor is not in any way to be treated with people turning their backs,’ Giuliani said. ‘It doesn’t matter if you like the mayor or you don’t like the mayor. You have to respect the mayor.’...” (See “Giuliani urges de Blasio to apologize for police remarks” by Kyle Cheney, 12/28/14, Politico [http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/rudy-giuliani-bill-de-blasio-new-york-police-113829.html]); .

Another thing that Giuliani said is also wrong, but it can be fixed. According to the National Review, “Giuliani criticized some of the more heated anti–de Blasio rhetoric: ‘Has the police union gone overboard? Yes. To suggest that [the mayor] is responsible for the murder [of the two dead NYPD officers],’ as the one union chief did, ‘that’s a terrible thing to suggest about the mayor.’...”  However, if it’s true, then it certainly needs to be said.

LOOK AT THE TIME LINE  —   LOOK AT THE ALLEGED KILLER, ISMAAIYL BRINSLEY  —   LOOK AT HIS STATED MOTIVE FOR THE KILLINGS

MAYOR DE BLASIO, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND AL SHARPTON WERE KEY ENBLERS OF ISMAAIYL BRINSLEY, THE ALLEGED PERP

What Bratton and Giuliani don’t seem to get is that Mayor de Blasio and President Obama each deputized the likes of Al Sharpton to set a very low bar on anti-police demonstrations. In so doing, de Blasio and Obama became enablers of somebody like Ismaaiyl Brinsley.


According to a report in the NY Post, “Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were working overtime as part of an anti-terrorism drill in Bedford-Stuyvesant just before 3 p.m. [on 12/20/14] when they were shot point-blank in the head by lone gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, who had addresses in Georgia, Maryland and Brooklyn....” (See “Gunman executes 2 NYPD cops in Garner ‘revenge’” by Larry Celona, Shawn Cohen, Jamie Schram, Amber Jamieson and Laura Italiano, 12/20/14, NY Post [http://nypost.com/2014/12/20/2-nypd-cops-shot-execution-style-in-brooklyn/]). This report also contained various statements made by the alleged perpetrator that linked the shootings of Liu and Ramos to Brinsley’s expressed desire to attack police in retribution for the Eric Garner and  Michael Brown deaths at the hands of police.

What led up to that ?   Could it have been the drum beat of some “peaceful demonstrators” shouting, “What do we want ? Dead cops....   When do we want it ? Now.... ” ?  For the record, that occurred on December 13th and was widely reported upon on December 14th and 15th.

According to the Daily News account of the events on December 13th, “A group of demonstrators was [ ] videotaped marching through Murray Hill chanting, ‘What do we want? Dead Cops! When do we want it? Now!’...”(See “Two NYPD cops assaulted as Manhattan march over Eric Garner case turns ugly” by Thomas Tracy, Tanisia Morris, Chauncey Alcorn & Rich Shapiro, 12/13-12/14/14, Daily News [http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-marchers-call-daniel-pantaleo-fired-nypd-article-1.2044465]; “Shock Video: NYC Protesters Call for 'Dead Cops' ” [Also seen on Fox & Friends] 12/15/14, Fox News Insider [nsider.foxnews.com/2014/12/15/thats-just-rabble-rousing-dr-alveda-king-calls-out-protesters-who-chanted-dead-cops]; see also “NYC protesters chant for dead cops” posted by Carswell Lightnose [with this notation “Published on Dec 13, 2014  –  12/13/2014 - "Million Marchers" in Murray Hill neighborhood of NYC chant: "What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want it? Now!"] You Tube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj4ARsxrZh8]).

Also, on the same night as the “...Dead Cops...” demonstration shown in the video there was an open attack on NYC officers on the Brooklyn Bridge (See the NY Daily News report cited in the paragraph above). Such extreme and violent elements permeated the demonstrations encouraged by de Blasio and Obama, and encouraged by Sharpton. It all culminated in the murders of the police officers in Brooklyn on December 20th.

GRIMM >>> PLEADS >>> GUILTY

Grimm Guilty of Tax Evasion  —  Grimm says he “Absolutely will not resign”

Like a drumbeat, this chant  needs to grow  from everybody in Brooklyn and Staten Island  —   GRIMM * MUST * GO !  —  But mostly from the moral Republicans that voted for him

According to the Daily News, “The Staten Island Republican admitted his guilt in a hearing before Brooklyn Federal Court Pamela Chen, exactly seven weeks after he won re-election to a third term... During the campaign, Grimm said he would step down if he no longer was ‘able to serve’ - leaving the impression that he would quit Congress if convicted. ***   But after the hearing on Tuesday, Grimm struck a note of defiance, saying there is nothing to prevent him from fulfilling his obligations as a congressman. ***  ‘As I said before, as long as I am able to serve, I will serve,’ he said. *** ‘Everything we're talking about here happened before I was in Congress and for the past four years I've been a very effective, strong member of Congress that has served the people of Staten Island very well, and I think the proof of that is the will of the people. Ultimately the will of the people will speak,’ he said....” (See “Rep. Michael Grimm pleads guilty to felony count of tax evasion, but says he will ‘absolutely not’ resign” by John Marzulli, 12/23/14, NY Daily News [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/rep-michael-grimm-pleads-guilty-felony-count-tax-evas-article-1.2054723]).

Also according to the account in the News, Grimm can be sentenced from probation to three years in prison for the single charge to which he pleaded guilty.  However, as a first-time offender, no doubt Grimm is hoping to avoid jail, a scenario that would allow him, in theory, to still serve in his position as congressman from Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

Nonetheless, Grimm will face enormous pressure to quit, because his guilty plea means that he is convicted tax felon.

House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) already has spoken out. She issued a statement on Tuesday demanding that Grimm resign and other Democrats followed suit.

Reuters did a more detailed report about what might happen now, saying this among other things: “... Grimm's defiant declaration could put U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and other Republican leaders in a difficult position, as Democratic members have already begun calling for Grimm's resignation. ***   ‘Clearly, Speaker Boehner must insist that Congressman Grimm resign immediately,’ said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in a statement from her home earlier on Tuesday. A Boehner spokesman said he would not comment until he has discussed the issue with Grimm. ***  Grimm told reporters he has had ‘private discussions’ with leadership but would not elaborate. ***  House members who plead guilty to a crime that carries two or more years in prison ‘should’ refrain from voting on the floor or participating in committee business, according to House rules. ***  The House could also vote to expel Grimm, as it did in the case of Democratic congressman James Traficant, who was found guilty of taking bribes and other crimes in 2002 but refused to resign....” (See “U.S. Representative Grimm says will not resign after pleading guilty to tax fraud” by Nate Raymond, 12/23/14, Reuters/ New York [http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/23/us-usa-crime-grimm-idUSKBN0K11KG20141223]).

The Brooklyn-Staten Island Congressman Needs to Resign IMMEDIATELY  —  We can’t have a representative in Congress who is guilty of Federal crimes  —  Grimm has continually lied to the people who voted for him

Based on several conversations around the Brooklyn GOP Holiday Party last evening at The Pearl, there is next to no support for Grimm’s holding onto his congressional seat if he pleaded guilty to any of the charges against him. Several Brooklyn Republican activists indicated that they would press for Grimm’s immediate resignation. In fact, State GOP Chairman Ed Cox initially responded to the proposition that Grimm must resign immediately if he pleaded guilty to tax evasion with a “...Sure, that should be part of any deal...”

The position of this blog is simple and unequivocal.  To let Grimm stay in congress, only allows him to attempt to compound his crimes and the lies that he made to his electorate, Republicans, Democrats and others, before and since the election.

Just because immoral and corrupt Republican public servants like Michael Grimm and Guy Molinari keep moving the bar lower and lower in their attempts to forgive and forget all of Grimm’s lies and crimes doesn’t mean that any moral Republicans need to join them.

Grimm needs to resign immediately. All Brooklyn Republicans need to join the chant  —  GRIMM MUST GO !   Especially included must be any Republicans that consider themselves to be moral individuals that might have voted for Grimm before his status as a Federal felon was established, as it now has been.

Seen and heard at the Brooklyn GOP Holiday Party — A verbal collage

The two main buzzes in the room seemed to depress the festivities a little  — the killings of the two police officers in Brooklyn over the weekend — and the probable guilty plea by Michael Grimm (at the time of the party, an announcement was expected in the case at about 1:00 PM on 12/23/14)

Gallo and Hayon had a very spirited tete a tete  —  others nearby appeared not very interested in being any part of it

Craig Eaton was all over the place meeting and greeting, as well as acting as a facilitator for at least one very important conversation for the Brooklyn Republican Organization going forward. (Since that whole process is a little new for one side in the talks, the finality of the plan remains a little ways off —  maybe, by or a little after the New Year.  As a result, Mr. Eaton didn’t make any announcements about the Brooklyn GOP).  There were no speeches or public introductions of any kind  — even though there were many old and new Republican luminaries in the house [The Pearl Restaurant, 3rd Avenue & 82nd Street, Bay Ridge]).

NYS Republican Chairman Ed Cox arrived for the last hour of the Brooklyn GOP Festivus, Saturnalia, Channukah, Christmas and New Years celebrations. He was accosted at the door by a pair of local activists who were insistent that Cox, as NY State Chairman, had to publically call on Grimm to resign if he pleaded guilty to any of the Federal charges against him. At first, Cox assured everybody that would happen; however, when details of yesterday’s reports were recited to him, Cox retreated to a “Let’s wait and see...” posture on the whole question.

Russell was there with HIS crew (he more than once made a point about the real “loyalty” of his YRs)....    Gallo had several important conversations including one with Joseph Hayon (and several about him, including one with the Frankie Russo of Brooklyn Tea Party and ABC Radio fame that really didn’t go so well).  Diana Sepulveda was also mostly around Gallo, but she did affably work the room several times for her own purposes.

Gerry O'Brien and Anita were quite into the social part of the evening chatting-up many of their colleagues and friends, and giving them and everybody else the best of seasons wishes.

Lucretia was there and couldn’t be nicer....   Anthony Testaverde was there, along with many other district leaders.... including the Greenpoint-Williamsburg leader Bill Davidson.... And Steve Maresca also was there to give his best Holiday wishes to new and long-time acquaintances.

Most of those at the festivities were there to meet those near and dear, and were quite pleasant to others not so near or dear. Others did little more than helicopter the food table to vacuum the modest cocktail buffet, almost instantly as it was restocked.

John Catsimatidis, Junior not Senior, was there in the company of Rob Ryan....  And  Joe Lohta arrived later and had some face time with the Chairman.

John Burnett, former GOP candidate for NYC Controller, was all over the room introducing himself to various levels of GOP activists.

Former NY Jet, and GOP congressional candidate,  Michael Faulkner also came by for a hello, accompanied by Jay Golub. The well-credentialed religious and community activist did a little talking one-on-one about the next NYC mayoral contest....

... And Nicole Malliotakis was there  —  only as a friend, Republican and  Member of the Assembly...  She seemed to be intentionally tight-lipped about what might be happening with Congressman Grimm.

The things broke up very slowly; and the evening ended inconclusively as several of the revelers remained long after the announced 9:00 PM end of the party.

It’s Official — Slow News Time in NYC Politics — “Boyfriend” Liam McCabe gets on front page of Daily News for calling Mayor an “...Asshole...” in Tweet to Councilman Gentile’s Office

Daily News Gives Front Page Treatment to a story that Ross Barkan broke in the NY Observer  —   DN Headline: “You're an Ass, Mr. Mayor”

New York Magazine piles on  —  Who are we to say, “Nay !”

Since when are snarky e-mails and social media postings between local staffers for a Congressman and City Councilman in Bay Ridge city-wide news ?  Well, if it involves a staffer for an under-the-gun congressman, like Michael Grimm’s Brooklyn Conservative Party hire Liam McCabe privately calling NYC’s top elected official, Mayor deBlasio an “...Asshole” and then repeating it on the record, maybe it's a little interesting.

According to Ross Barkan’s initial report in the NY Observer, “For one Michael Grimm aide, a single expletive can sum up the entirety of Bill de Blasio’s tenure. ***  Liam McCabe, a staffer to the Republican congressman and frequent de Blasio antagonist, called Mr. de Blasio, the Democratic mayor, an ‘asshole’ in a Facebook thread today — and in a follow-up interview with the Observer, doubled down on his salty language. ***   ‘The Mayor is an asshole, Councilman. He deserves no applause,’ Mr. McCabe wrote on Councilman Vincent Gentile’s Facebook page, responding to a status Mr. Gentile wrote that praised Mr. de Blasio for condemning the protesters who assaulted police on the Brooklyn Bridge last Saturday (See “Michael Grimm Aide Curses Out Bill de Blasio” by Ross Barkan,12/16/14, NY Observer [http://observer.com/2014/12/michael-grimm-aide-curses-out-bill-de-blasio/] [@newyorkobserver on Twitter | newyorkobserver on Facebook]).

Why the Daily News picked this up as a front page item remains problematic  —  but when a single headline can embarrass two NYC pols — well, maybe the folks at the News see that as a win-win, even as they acknowledge the NY Observer broke the story ( See “Aide to Republican congressman Michael Grimm calls De Blasio 'an a**hole,' by Dan Friedman, Ginger Adams Otis, 12/17/14
[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/michael-grimm-aide-calls-de-blasio-hole-article-1.2048063]). The News coverage specifically quoted Congressman Grimm’s staffer as follows: “... [H]e has failed to unite city  'He deserves no applause.' Liam McCabe, 35, attacked the mayor on Facebook and in a magazine interview....”

On the other hand, showing that the story might have some legs, it was picked up by New York Magazine. According to a piece by Margaret Hartmann, “Decorum in the office of Staten Island Representative Michael Grimm has gone right out the window — or rather off the balcony. Responding to Councilman Vincent Gentile's Facebook post yesterday praising Mayor Bill de Blasio for condemning protesters who assaulted police on the Brooklyn Bridge, Grimm aide Liam McCabe commented, ‘The Mayor is an asshole, Councilman. He deserves no applause.’ While the comment has been deleted, McCabe apparently wants the world to know that he stands by his assessment. 'I think he’s an asshole, plain and simple,' McCabe told the Observer...." (See “Michael Grimm Aide Thinks Mayor de Blasio Is an ‘Asshole,’ Doesn’t Care Who Knows It” by Margaret Hartmann, 12/17/14, New York Magazine
[http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/12/grimm-aide-de-blasio-asshole.html] [ @marghartmann]).


GRIMM SPOX PROMISES “APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION”

The Daily News specifically noted that “...Grimm has distanced himself from the 'disrespectful' comments and promised disciplinary action....”  It went on to give these details, “... ‘Mr. McCabe’s remarks were disrespectful, out of line, and are absolutely not condoned by the congressman. The comments have been deleted, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,’ Nick Iacono, a spokesman for the congressman, told ‘The Observer.’ ***  It’s not the first time McCabe has made news. ***  He was arrested for hitting his 14-year-old son outside his Brooklyn school in 2012. ***  McCabe let Grimm shave his head for a children’s cancer charity earlier this year.”

For the uninitiated, Mr. McCabe is a mandatory hire from the ranks of the Brooklyn Conservative Party resulting from their party's endorsement and Wilson-Pakula authorization allowing Grimm to run on that line. One wonders if the Conservative Party Chairmen will be consulted concerning any “appropriate disciplinary action” for their operative, McCabe.

Psst ! Write-in "RUSSELL GALLO" for Congress against Grimm and Recchia — But don’t pass it on

Oh, the election was more than a month ago....   Why wasn't I told ?

Oh, I was....  Why didn't I write about it ?

Oh, I did on November 4, 2014 at 7:39 AM....   Why didn’t I write about it sooner ?

Oh, it was a secret....   What kind of campaign was that ?

Oh, it was "Asymmetric Warfare"....   Now I get it....    What is “Asymmetric Warfare” ?

Russell Gallo’s write-in campaign for Congress against Grimm and Recchia convinced fifteen people, who then bothered to write-in Mr. Gallo’s name on their ballots on Election Day 2014.

Well, it certainly was secret and asymmetric. Fifteen (15),  hmmmm !

“Son of Sal” – “John Doe-Duffel Bag” Perrone RAIL ROAD Heading to a FINAL STOP in Court — Or is it AT THE NUT HOUSE

Judge Alan Marrus’ Latest Travesty in this case  —  He Makes Ex Parte Order for Salvatore Perrone to go the Nut House without any hearing as to his “sanity” or any finding of “Guilt” or “Innocence” on any charges related to three 2012 serial killings

Defendant Perrone NOT PRESENT in Courtroom for Judge Marrus ruling  —  Victim’s Family Members Outraged

According to the report in the NY Post, “ ‘...[D]octors unanimously found him not fit to proceed,” Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Alan Marrus said of Sal Perrone on Friday, adding that the psychiatric findings meant the 65-year-old could no longer act as his own attorney....” ((See “Accused serial killer deemed unfit for trial” by Josh Saul, 12/12/14, NY Post
[http://nypost.com/2014/12/12/man-who-killed-3-shopkeepers-deemed-unfit-for-trial/]).

JUDGE MARRUS’ DECISION APPEARED TO BE BASED ONLY ON “COURT PAPERS” —  NOT AS THE RESULT OF ANY HEARING ON PERRONE’S SANITY —  AND CERTAINLY NOT A TRIAL ON THE CRIMINAL CHARGES

Post reporter Josh Saul further observed that according to “Court Papers”:
“The psychiatric [sic] definitively concluded that Mr. Perrone’s ‘ambivalence towards defense assistance, his paranoia regarding court personnel and his rigid, repetitive manner of thinking’ all point to the presence of a psychiatric disorder’.... The psychologist concluded that Mr. Perrone ‘appeared unreasonable in consideration of his legal planning,’ ‘unable to make informed decisions regarding his case or assist an attorney in preparing a defense’....” The Post reporter also noted that the so called “Court Papers” also stated that “...Perrone’s behavior was consistent with either a delusional disorder or a paranoid personality disorder....”

Judge Marrus indicated that Mr. Perrone would be sent to a state mental institution for more evaluation. Interestingly, Perrone's court appointed legal assistant Howard Kirsh said this about his sort of client: “You’ve seen him in action. So have the psychiatrists. They think he’s a lunatic. He’s impossible to talk to....”

So much for "legal assistance"......

What Salvatore Perrone, who is self-represented,  might have thought about all or any of this is not clear, because he wasn’t even present in the courtroom for these “ex parte proceedings” or whatever you might want to call this kind of summary injustice, which is so openly taking place in the New York State Courts.

As has become the common theme in this case, the matter was again adjourned by Judge Marrus; with Perrone scheduled to be back in court January 23rd.

The new reformer in New York Politics — State Senator Martin Golden

Marty Golden issues his greatest quote ever  —    “The best disinfectant in government is sunlight....”

Is Marty coming to the Ol’ Time Religion of government reformism late in life ? ? ?

Always a strong supporter of the NYPD, Golden is at the right place at the right time standing tall for Police Officers’ rights and being singled-out by the NY Times

After standing tall for “NY City’s Finest” and getting heat for it from the NY Times,  State Senator Martin Golden looks like he is also emerging as a new reformer in New York-New Jersey politics. The same day that the New York Times Editorial Board and other outlets attacked Marty Golden, thus raising him the hero status for defending New York City’s cops against Governor Cuomo and Mayor deBlasio ( See “Police Discipline in New York” NY Times Editorial Board, 12/10/14, NY Times/ Opinion/ Editorial [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/opinion/police-discipline-in-new-york.html]), Marty Golden was extolled as a reformer by the NY Daily News (See “Lawmakers unite to urge Cuomo, Christie to reform Port Authority” by Richard Shapiro, 12/10/14, NY Daily News [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/lawmakers-urge-cuomo-christie-reform-port-authority-article-1.2040246]).  

FOR A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN EVERY KNOCK BY THE NY TIMES IS A BOOST AND EVERY BOOST BY THE DAILY NEWS IS  —   WELL, A BOOST

Most important, both the News and the Times burnished State Senator Golden’s growing reputation by specifically mentioning him by name when talking about the NYS Legislature generally.

When many of us thought that Golden might be peeing-out after a career of purely retail binge politicking, since late in the campaign of 2014, after the November blow-out of his Democratic opponent, and now with the roll-out of Golden as a senior member of the new Republican majority in the NYS Senate, Marty suddenly has what seems like a new look and a new vitality.  Equally impressive is his apparently new-found ability to do PR pivots like a whirling dervish, witness the win-win coverage in the Times and News yesterday.  

Hillary Clinton hit with bombshell: She Obviously Had "The Benghazi Talking Points" BEFORE The Rest Of Obama's Administration — even before they supposedly had been written

New time line emerges that puts the video talking points in Secretary of State Clinton’s hands and the words in her mouth BEFORE they were alleged to have been composed by White House speech writer Ben Rhodes

Trey Gowdy sets sights on Hillary Clinton as an early target for his Select Committee  —  Top Democrat Elijah Cummings promises roadblocks to further questioning of former Secretary of State

The Daily Caller reports that “Hillary Clinton used the administration’s exact talking point blaming the attack on a YouTube video before Obama’s White House speechwriter Ben Rhodes [allegedly] drafted it to prepare Susan Rice for Sunday morning talk shows days later (See “Hillary Clinton Got The Benghazi Talking Points BEFORE Rest Of Obama Administration” by Patrick Howley, 12/10/14, Daily Caller [http://dailycaller.com/2014/12/10/hillary-clinton-got-the-benghazi-talking-points-before-rest-of-obama-administration/]).

NEW TIME LINE SHOWS HILLARY USING TALKING POINTS LANGUAGE BEFORE FIRST WHITE HOUSE TALKING POINTS MEMO WAS WRITTEN

In the article cited above, the Daily Caller’s Patrick Howley  goes on to say, “Hillary Clinton said the following on the morning of September 13 [2012] in her remarks at the U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogue: *** ‘I also want to take a moment to address the video circulating on the Internet that has led to these protests in a number of countries. Let me state very clearly – and I hope it is obvious – that the United States Government had absolutely nothing to do with this video. We absolutely reject its content and message…To us, to me personally, this video is disgusting and reprehensible. It appears to have a deeply cynical purpose: to denigrate a great religion and to provoke rage. But as I said yesterday, there is no justification, none at all, for responding to this video with violence.’....”

It was only thereafter that Obama speechwriter Ben Rhodes circulated the administration’s video talking points for television appearances by Susan Rice and others. According to Howley’s report in the Daily Caller, “Here’s what Rhodes said  in his all-important first memo on the afternoon of September 14, more than a day after Clinton first came up with the YouTube video. *** ‘We’ve made our views on the video crystal clear. The United States Government had nothing to do with it. We reject its message and its content. We find it disgusting and reprehensible. But there is no justification at all for responding to this movie with violence.’....”

CHAIRMAN GOWDY WANTS TO QUESTION FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON AGAIN

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) said at the start of the panel’s second hearing that the committee would not "move on" until there is a full understanding of how the security broke down around the diplomatic mission in Benghazi on September 11,2012, and why requests for additional personnel and equipment had been denied in the months leading up to the terrorist attack on the mission ( See “OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: House Benghazi chief pushing ahead” by Martin Matishak & Kristina Wong, 12/10/14, The Hill [http://thehill.com/policy/defense/overnights/226717-overnight-defense-house-benghazi-chief-pushing-ahead]).  Gowdy went on to say that “We will have hearings in January, February, March and until there is a full understanding of what happened in Benghazi[, t]hat means access all documents and all witnesses. We are going to answer the questions surrounding the attacks in Benghazi. We may answer some more than once."  Gowdy specifically stated, that Hillary Clinton is "a witness that we would like to talk to. [But] I cannot tell you when."

The Hill article also reported that “[The Ranking Democrat on the Committee Elijah] Cummings said he would oppose calling on Clinton to testify because the State Department’s Accountability Review Board that investigated Benghazi had already talked to her.”

It is very odd that Congressman Cummings should cite that as his main reason to oppose calling Mrs. Clinton. Can you guess why ?

Ah ! Good Times, good times... ‘Tis the season... Love is all you need... Love is all you need... Love is all you need... Love is all you need... Yeah, yeah, yeah.....

Look at this sort of debate among these few Nobel Laureates:

>>> Comments about article, “Assault outside Bay Ridge Dunkin Donuts” by Helen Klein, 12/5/14, Home Reporter [http://homereporter.com/assault-outside-dunkin-donuts/][hklein@homereporternews.com]) The assault was upon an 85 year old man; and it allegedly involved two unidentified  “teenagers” as perps, one of whom was apprehended. <<<

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“Scarlett NY • 4 days ago (from 12/9/14), commenting on the article

I am sure they are both sweet, gentle giants. [[[ We all know who and what that means.  Wink-wink !]]]

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Ohboyonecanobi responding to Scarlett NY • 4 days ago (from 12/9/14)

Uh ... so maybe they should be killed in the streets rather than sent through the justice system? Not sure what you're trying to say here that isn't gross. [[[ Now there's a penalty for unnecessary roughness....]]]
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The Cap'n  responding to Ohboyonecanobi • 3 days ago (from 12/9/14)
YEah exactly - they should be killed in the streets rather than sent through this joke of a justice system. They'll only be back on the streets in no time and go on to commit worse crimes. What kind of feral subhuman un-evolved savages violently assault an 85 year old man? this is exaclty why NYC needs concealed carry and stand your ground laws. Funny how u find her comment gross and not the actual crime committed...were these perps friends of yours?  [[[ Talk about gasoline on the fire....]]]
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ScarlettNY  responding to Ohboyonecanobi • 3 days ago (from 12/9/14)
What are you trying to say? Who is "they"and what makes you think whoever "they"are should be killed? I have no description of the perps. Do you happen to know who they are? Or, Are you assuming to know the demographic of the perp? What are you saying about your own prejudice?  [[[ Nice riposte, but "Frankly, Scarlett, I ...." ]]]
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commenting anew:
 brooklynn1 • a day ago (from 12/9/14)

OK Tough guys. Please do not throw out the rule of law, which means not calling for people to be killed in the streets, as in comments below. Frankly some would call that incitement. We do not need vigilante justice. We need well trained, smart officers who know their community. Some officers clearly need to be weeded out. This is not a job for just anyone. [[[ What you mean "WE," Kemosabe ?"]]]

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Marty Golden isn't merely "...Victorious...," he is "Triumphant" --- And that trend is likely to continue through 2015

In spite of serious headwinds in the form of  investigations by Federal authorities and various NYS agencies, Golden cruised to a win with his biggest election majority in years

As a relatively senior member of a clear GOP majority in the NYS Senate, State Senator Martin  Golden is being hailed one of Brooklyn's "go to" representatives in Albany

About three or four weeks ago, I did a post entitled,  "Marty Golden, Mike Long and Jerry Kassar VICTORIOUS — But, ARE THEY INVINCIBLE ?"  that caused quite a bit of consternation with several people in the Brooklyn GOP leadership  (See my Monday, November 17, 2014 post, "Marty Golden, Mike Long and Jerry Kassar VICTORIOUS — But, ARE THEY INVINCIBLE ?" --  below on this blog).   I am sure this piece will upset most of those people even more ( but that isn't the only reason that I'm posting this right now).  As we start with our 2014 Holiday Parties, somebody needs to look around and ask "Who's who in the Brooklyn GOP, and what do they bring to the table ?"

Let's start with the top dog....

MARTY GOLDEN SEEN AS THE "GO TO" GUY

Some people are calling Republican-Conservative State Senator Martin Golden the go-to  guy in Albany for the other non-Republican Brooklyn lawmakers that need help on issues related to their districts. That's because Republicans under Dean Skelos took back control of the Upper Chamber of the Legislature after this year’s General Election.  ( See  "Marty Golden: Brooklyn’s Go-To Man in State Senate" by Stephen Witt, 12/1/14, Kings County Politics Blog  [http://www.kingscountypolitics.com/marty-golden-brooklyns-go-to-man-in-state-senate/]).  That makes Marty Golden Brooklyn's only member of the NYS Senate formally sitting as a Republican in the majority.

In the past, several Brooklyn insiders expressed their opinion to me that State Senator Martin Golden would be likely to again be able to consolidate his hold on the Brooklyn GOP by either naming or becoming the Chairman of the Brooklyn Republican Party in 2015.  I have spoken to most of those people again, and their opinions about that are as strong as before I posted  ( the two or three "Eaton people" didn't respond to my calls and/or e-mails) .

MORE CHANGE COMING TO THE BROOKLYN GOP  ---  BACK TO THE GOLDEN FUTURE  ---   OR IS ANYBODY EATIN' WITH EATON ANY MORE

Although there is still strong opposition to Golden's complete takeover of the Brooklyn Republican Party, it is unlikely that such opposition will be led by the current leader of the Brooklyn GOP, Craig Eaton, who also functions as the NYS Republican Vice Chairman for New York City.  2015 is a GOP reorganization year, and Eaton's impressive titles will not be enough to keep Eaton in his job, or even having much influence in the selection of his successor.  Key Eaton supporters that helped him hold off the Golden-backed "Republicans for Change" at the 2013 GOP County Convention are no longer in Eaton's corner; in spite of anything Eaton thinks he sees and hears at his monthly Executive Committee meetings. Even several of Eaton's closest allies in the Brooklyn Republican Party don't see any plan or formula by which Chairman Eaton will hold on or even sway things in 2015.

If the anti-Golden forces inside the Brooklyn GOP don't solidify behind Eaton, or if Craig Eaton  chooses not to push for the post in 2015, which right now appears to be the most likely scenario, it is unlikely that there will be any other single candidate for that fractious faction to unite behind.  Many names like Ferraro, Hayon, Gallo, Testaverde and Howe have been mentioned by this, that or the other anti-Golden Brooklyn GOP activist as possible successors to Eaton.  However, even before those conversation gets very far, the people that were mentioned are dismissed as not acceptable to a majority of Brooklyn Republicans, or simply just not right for the job.  (Two or three of those kooks even asked me if I would be interested in putting myself forward for the job as Chairman;  and my answer is always the same,  but I'll never tell. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !  Oops, I think I just did.)

GOLDEN PRACTICALLY IN COMMAND OF THE BROOKLYN GOP ALREADY

Marty Golden is practically in command of the Brooklyn Republican Party anyway.  Since  it's one of his men,  Simon Shamoun, who is the Brooklyn Republican Commisioner on the Board of Elections, Golden has significant practical control over much of what the party needs to do in every election, whether it be primary, general or special.  Furthermor, when it comes  to the formalities of the 2015 organizing process,  Golden's folks should have learned from the 2013 party convention and the legal proceedings that followed.  Golden's side lost in 2013, because  of terrible staff work  by Golden's "Pros," and also because the "Republicans for Change" crowd acted like a bunch of amateurs showing up at their first rodeo.

In 2015,  Golden will be in as good a position to field a large, though not full, slate of candidates for County Committee through most of Brooklyn where the GOP has a footprint.  That's as good as any, and possibly all, of those opposing him.  Thus, he is likely to go into the 2015 County Convention with either a clear majority, or at very least a commanding plurality of delegates (which is just like it looked in 2013).  Only this time, hopefully with a better floor manager at the 2015 GOP County Convention, that should be more than enough to take the day; at which point,  Golden will regain formal and total control of the Brooklyn Republican Organization.

Local GOP Congressmen Push Back --- Grimm and King Step Out Front to Praise Staten Island Grand Jury and Prosecutor for NOT Indicting NYPD Officer

Grimm and King both push back against the mob's, the media's and the Democrats' condemnation of Staten Island Grand Jury's Decision Vindicating NYC Cops in the Death of Eric Garner

"[REMEMBER] ...No organization has done more to safeguard the lives of young African-Americans in New York City than the NYPD."   

                                                                          --   Congressman Peter King

"New York Republican Rep. Michael Grimm, whose district includes the borough of Staten Island, where black chokehold victim Eric Garner lived and died, says the grand jury decision not to indict white police officer Daniel Pantaleo 'was fair and reasoned.'  ***   'There's no question that this grand jury had an immensely difficult task before them, but I have full faith that their judgment was fair and reasoned,' said the lawmaker, who won re-election last month.  ***   Grimm also offered praise to District Attorney Daniel Donovan 'for overseeing this case with the utmost integrity...." (See "Rep. Michael Grimm: NYC Grand Jury Was 'Fair and Reasoned'   by Cathy Burke, 12/3/14, Newsmax [http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/Michael-Grimm-Eric-Garner-Daniel-Pantaleo-chokehold/2014/12/03/id/610949/]).

The same report contained comments by Long Island Republican Congressman Peter King that indicated his belief that there should be for respect for the grand jury's decision; adding,  "While the death of Eric Garner was tragic, all New Yorkers should respect the decision of the Staten Island grand jury not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo....  During this tense time in New York, it must be noted and remembered that no organization has done more to safeguard the lives of young African-Americans in New York City than the NYPD."

This is justice for Salvatore Perrone !

What about the families of his alleged victims ?

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My hasn't the time flown in the "Son of Sal"  ---  "Dufflebag John Doe"  ---   2012  Fifth Avenue Bay Ridge Merchant Killing  Case

  

Perrone still in court for two summer murders, as well as a November killing  ---  all in 2012 and all seemingly related to Perrone's clothing trade Brooklyn  ---  But Salvatore Perrrone does not come close to fitting the physical descriptions originally given in two-of-three of those murders

Second Anniversary of Sal Perrone's indictment  for  multiple murders over several months in 2012  ---   Salvatore Perrone, the apparent last remaining suspect in the case, has been sent in for his second psychiatric exam  ---  And no trial date has been scheduled 

Today is the second anniversary of Perrone's indictment for three murders in Brooklyn,  in a case that was once big news for all the papers and local TV stations in this town.  Since that indictment, the powers that be have put this case on a very slow track;  and they have covered it with a judicial wet blanket called Alan Marrus.  On December 12th, 2014, Salvatore Perrone will be appearing before Judge Alan J. Marrus, AJSC,  for the fourteenth time since he first turned up in Marrus' courtroom exactly two years ago  on 12/12/12.

For those keeping up to date on the case, Perrone was last before the HONORABLE Alan Marrus on October 6th, 2014, when Marrus ordered that Salvatore Perrone be submitted for a Psychiatric Exam  --   AGAIN.   You see, Marrus already had ordered a Psychiatric Exam  much earlier in these proceedings. In fact,  that was on Perrone's first  appearance in front  of Judge Marrus, almost two whole years ago on December 12th, 2012  ---  back when this triple murder case was a fresh news story and every body was being made to believe that Perrone was really quite crazy. Don't forget, I pointed-out that this was happening a long time ago ( See my 12/14/12 post "Will Salvatore Perrone ever get a chance to present his chosen defenses in a Brooklyn Court  to the comments, charges and  "evidence"  already rolled-out  against him by the press, the cops and the Brooklyn D.A. ?" below on this blog).

One suspects that Judge Marrus is hoping that there will be some magic words in the new psyche report that will allow Marrus to bounce this case into psychiatric care limbo and out of his court's apparent permanent holding pattern.

IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CASE, AND ITS INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION ?

This case has had a stink to it from the very beginning; and in two years in front of Judge Marrus, it has only ripened.  That's nothing new for either the prosecution or the courts in Brooklyn.  (Look at everything that has come out about DA Hynes and so many of his ADAs in the last year or so ! Interestingly, Judge Marrus, whose son was an ADA under Hynes, has found himself in the middle of many of those cases.   Hmmmm !)  Also please remember that I originally called this case against Salvatore Perrone  a "Three Ring Circus...";  and  I gave you my reasons at the time ( See my 12/1/12 post, "The "John Doe Duffel Bag Killer"  a "Three Ring Circus" brought to you by Ray Kelly, Marty Golden and "Joe" Hynes,"  below on this blog).

The original voluntary custody and/or arrest of Perrone after being confronted by cops in a Bay Ridge Pharmacy, the questioning of Perrone that was measured in days, not hours, and the seizure and handling of "evidence" in the case all look like fertile areas for defense motions. However, none of those kinds of motions have been made by Perrone, who is acting as his own counsel.  As regards the unrepresented defendant in front of him, instead of acting as an honest and impartial broker of law and justice, Marrus has instead repeatedly practiced his stand-up comedy routines at Mr. Perrone's expense.

Maybe, it's time for the families of the victims in these three murders to start making some noise about the slow pace of the prosecution and the longtime sideways movement of the case in court. After all, how does it benefit any of the victims' families if Sal Perrone is just shoved down some memory hole ?

DEFENSE SHOULD MOVE FOR A PSYCHIATRIC EXAM OF JUDGE MARRUS

On December 12th, Perrone should move for a psychiatric exam for Judge Marrus.  Marrus has shown that he has a well-developed sense of humor, so he should get the joke. On the other hand if Marrus were acting as an honest and impartial broker of law and justice, he would grant the motion and submit himself to the psychiatric exam.  After all, doesn't almost everything that Marrus has done in this case fall into the category of  "doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result"  ?   That's one of the thumbnail descriptions of "madness," isn't it.

Unless, of course, that was what the people in charge wanted all along  ---  sometimes "Justice Delayed" is just the way "everybody" wants things in Brooklyn. Yeah, I posted something about that too, almost a year ago (See my 12/9/13 post "Whooooo ! Whoooooooooh !!! Brooklyn Multiple Murder Railroad of “... Duffel Bag” Salvatore Perrone Coming Through — But it’s going very very slowly" below on this blog).