On Friday, state Senate Democrats held a session in less than two minutes. The only item on the agenda was a moment of silence for Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. (Apparently Ed McMahon wasn't iconic enough for a state nod).
The Republicans also met, however they did not honor any entertainment icons.
But what really gets my goat is that the moment of silence wasn't even genuine.
It was simply a way to stick it to Gov. David Paterson.
Both the Dems and the GOP have been refusing to comply with Paterson's order for all 62 senators to convene for an extraordinary session of the Senate. The two factions began meeting separately because neither side was willing to concede control of the Senate, which is split 31-31, with one dissident Democrat.
The dispute has stalled government for almost a month.
For the Senate to meet and not do any work, despite lofty salaries, is deplorable.
Paterson has called it down-right unconstitutional.
I can certainly understand the frustration on the part of the Democrats. I think the public has a right to be annoyed, as well.
After all, the dissident Democrat, Sen. Pedro Espada, who made the coup possible, happens to run a health care center that owes $162,000 in taxes.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the organization also receives millions in state support.
No surprise that Espada would choose to switch sides, considering his own party questioned his personal agenda.
It turns my stomach to think about what the GOP might have offered the floundering Senator to flip-flop. But no one should be shocked by the outcome.
Corruption in Albany is pretty run of the mill.
Regardless, to hold a moment of silence in the state Senate for two pop icons is inappropriate, irrelevant and disrespectful.
Both were fine entertainers, but what do Fawcett and Jackson have to do with New York taxpayers?
If the Senate sincerely wants to use its silent sessions to honor the dead, they should honor our fallen soldiers, for Pete's sake. It'd certainly be a classier and more thoughtful way to waste time and money.
Bottom line: the Senate needs to quit the drama and get back to work.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
But what really gets my goat is that the moment of silence wasn't even genuine.
It was simply a way to stick it to Gov. David Paterson.
Both the Dems and the GOP have been refusing to comply with Paterson's order for all 62 senators to convene for an extraordinary session of the Senate. The two factions began meeting separately because neither side was willing to concede control of the Senate, which is split 31-31, with one dissident Democrat.
The dispute has stalled government for almost a month.
For the Senate to meet and not do any work, despite lofty salaries, is deplorable.
Paterson has called it down-right unconstitutional.
I can certainly understand the frustration on the part of the Democrats. I think the public has a right to be annoyed, as well.
After all, the dissident Democrat, Sen. Pedro Espada, who made the coup possible, happens to run a health care center that owes $162,000 in taxes.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the organization also receives millions in state support.
No surprise that Espada would choose to switch sides, considering his own party questioned his personal agenda.
It turns my stomach to think about what the GOP might have offered the floundering Senator to flip-flop. But no one should be shocked by the outcome.
Corruption in Albany is pretty run of the mill.
Regardless, to hold a moment of silence in the state Senate for two pop icons is inappropriate, irrelevant and disrespectful.
Both were fine entertainers, but what do Fawcett and Jackson have to do with New York taxpayers?
If the Senate sincerely wants to use its silent sessions to honor the dead, they should honor our fallen soldiers, for Pete's sake. It'd certainly be a classier and more thoughtful way to waste time and money.
Bottom line: the Senate needs to quit the drama and get back to work.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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Jeep wrote on Jul 3, 2009 7:31 PM:
Or not get paid a salary to be UnAmerican at a time of economic need..Most folks are scared to lose jobs and these jollies think its fun and games at taxpayer expense to exploit each other and argue over nonsence. I think we have all seen to much greed and its time Senate starts working for the people not them selves...Why are these people employed? Makes you wonder... "
showpeople wrote on Jul 2, 2009 1:26 PM:
And it is true that, New York delegation did abstain on many motions, including the "final" one on independence. Historically, there were actually two votes: one on the resolution on independence as proposed by Lee (taking place on July 2) and then the vote approving the Declaration of Independence (on July 4). New York abstained from both, but the New York legislature did approve it after the fact.
The New York legislature has a long history of political "infighting." They do get things done but expecting this state legislature to "lead" on anything would be in vain.
This time, the fault, can be clearly laid at the door of the Republicans, but next time around it will probably be the Democrats. "