What a picture!

The article doesn't place the appropriate blame on GOP (4.00 / 2)

All of the NY papers have been running the same line: fire them all! The problem is, there is a power sharing agreement that is completely fair that the Dems have put forth which would allow things to move forward, and the republicans refuse it because for them it is about power and money.

The article was not sharp enough in it's criticism's of the GOP. What is their proposal for moving forward? Acknowledge the coup and give the republicans all of the power in the Senate. Thats not viable in any reasonable person's mind.  

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by: Killa4luv @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 03:27:13 AM UTC

Dale Volker, (0.00 / 0)

as quoted in the aforementioned article:

I might have to start carrying my sidearm again.

Dale Volker everyone!

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by: Amherst Guy @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 09:42:08 AM UTC

That was an interesting article! (0.00 / 0)

"I'm not justifying the way we ran the house," Mr. Libous said. "I'm telling you it's wrong and we should change it. What we did to the Democrats all those years was not right."

This casts the mess in Albany in an entirely different light. Is the deep politics behind the coup really an attempt by Senate GOPers, knowing they are about to face a long stretch as the minority party, to try to institute "changes meant to establish fairness?" Cast In this light, it's the Democrats, evidently intent on continuing to shut the GOP out just like Malcolm Smith did, who are being recalcitrant  ( I recall reading that certain reform groups thought these same rule changes were not too bad).

Maybe the the coup wasn't merely an attempt to scuttle certain Dem legislation anathema to powerful interest groups? Maybe the RSA WAS "pleasantly surprised" by the coup. Maybe those who say a pox on BOTH their houses are correct.

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by: JohnS @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:25:36 PM UTC

Libous gets an attack of morals-- that's rich! (0.00 / 0)

I would have some really hard time seeing Libous as experiencing remorse.  Admittedly, he also makes a piss-poor f*@%kee.

Hey, Libous-- now that you are so fair-minded, can I come to your steak roast?  Always smells so good....

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by: robinia @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 16:47:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's not an attack of morals, (4.00 / 1)

it's case of  enlightened self interest. In crisis there's opportunity, right? Maybe the GOP is handing us an actual opportunity to reform the Senate rules, if the Dems can be forced to take the bull by the horns.

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by: JohnS @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 16:59:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

precisely (0.00 / 0)

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by: simonstl @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 17:13:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Smith was indeed... (0.00 / 0)

moving when this shot was made. Panning with his movement places the background in a blur. No conspiracy of image manipulation...just basic technique.

Great editing by McNally et al.

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by: sconsetmonkey @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:37:15 PM UTC

Smith in focus to show clarity (0.00 / 0)

NYT is a little more subtle than say the Daily KOS.

If NYT wanted to make Smith look bad, they would have. Remember the daily gallery of evil and/or idiotic Bush shots they ran since 2002? Maybe Smith is in focus because he SHOULD be the one in focus? The others are ignored as whiners. The text certainly validates that.

My reading glasses may be too rose-colored but I saw the story as an attack on Repub greed. Hakim states pretty clearly that the coup was motivated by greed and hypocrisy (do unto to us as we didn't do unto you).

Were I a member running in a district where the NYT rules  I'd do a montage mailer with the first ed piece and this headline blown up--followed by the article.  

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by: LOBlue @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 12:48:36 PM UTC

Try looking at it this way (4.00 / 2)

Maybe the GOP DOES want to reform the way the Senate is run because they know they're about to face a long stretch in the political wilderness. Maybe the Dems, in a fit of turnabout is fair play, simply want the pie all to themselves.

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by: JohnS @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 13:01:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Both of those (4.00 / 1)

are reasonable assumptions.

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by: Jrathman @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 14:22:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Better Picture Today's TU (0.00 / 0)

Sorry i can't do the link thing. It's Smith bending over Skelos --while Skelos looks straight ahead with his trademark pout. http://www.timesunion.com/poli...

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by: LOBlue @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 13:15:16 PM UTC

Skelos looks like he's gonna cry. (4.00 / 1)

What a bizzare pic.

Here's a more permanent link:
http://www.timesunion.com/cent...

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by: Amherst Guy @ Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 13:20:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]