"His statement was racist"-- Sen. Martin Malave Dilan Threatens Sen. Klein Over "Irrelevant" Word

by: robinia

Wed Jul 08, 2009 at 12:31:26 PM EDT

Most of us, even in upstate, know that NYC politics is infested with an insidious form of racial/identity politics.  Yes, it helps minorities get elected and push legislation that is important to minority voters, but it also can mean that issues and legislation take a back seat to.... well, namecalling, race-card-playing, and opportunistic accusations of disrespect.

The latest example of this came following hot on the heels of the important news out of Albany this morning (What was that, you say?  We would reform our legislature?  Enact marriage equality? Get a handle on our fiscal crisis? Cope with the potential devastation of the hydro-fracking natural gas boom?  Nah, four amigos invited a fifth to breakfast). Check on the flip for Sen. Ruben Diaz's PR-- and Cap Con's commentary-- about this attempt to make the power struggle in Albany all about race.

IMHO, the State Senate is using racism-- a HUGE problem causing major misery in this state, that desperately needs real legislative attention-- just like they use everything and everyone else: for personal power gain and self-aggrandizement.  It's disgusting.

Sen. Ruben Diaz's press operation is beginning to seem a little like a teenager sending out notes in geometry class: First the multiple releases about who the senator will be having breakfast or lunch with, and now an aggrieved message - the latest sign of a schism between the Three Amigos/Gang of Four and Democratic leadership - about how insensitive Sen. Jeff Klein is, and how Martin Dilan and Hiram Monserrate totally agree:

   

State Senator Rev Ruben Diaz, President of the New York State Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus, is demanding an apology from Senator Jeff Klein's statement calling them "irrelevant" and "people like that". By saying "people like that" does he mean Hispanic or what?

   Senator Klein made this statement after four Senators, Ruben Diaz, Hiram Monserrate, Martin Malave Dilan and Carl Kruger walked out of a session called by their conference after adjourning Governor Paterson's Extraordinary Session.

   The four senators walked out, expressing their opposition to keep being part of a circus, where pieces of legislation are being approved without quorum and Governor Paterson refusing to acknowledge or sign them into law.

   After walking out, Senator Klein stated, "I don't care what they have to say. We need a bipartisan, long-term agreement. So people like that are irrelevant."

   Senator Martin Malave Dilan called Senator Klein's statement saying, "Let's see how irrelevant we are in the next 24 hours... his statement was racist."

   Senator Hiram Monserrate said, "I think it's unfortunate that Senator Klein's insatiable desire to be president clouds his judgment so as to make divisive and offense statements. Bad move Jeff."