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March 31, 2006
Regulating crises pregnancy ads
Rep. Caroline Maloney (D-N.Y.) introduced a bill, along with 11 co-sponsors to regulate crises pregnancy advertisements, with the ACLU's support. Go figure? The ACLU, supposed champions for "freedom of speech", want to, after a few years in the making, regulate it. What's so absurd about this bill is that abortionists make their living on deceit.
Without any informed consent laws in place in New York, they do not have to inform their patients of the side-effects of abortion, the long term effects, or healthy alternatives. Yet the ACLU doesn't support laws that regulate abortion. Abortionists are not required to show the expectant mother a sonogram of the pre-born child, when sonograms are so widely available.
And, don't pro-abortion democrats want to make abortion "legal, safe and rare"? It's clear that crises pregnancy centers can at least assist in making abortions "rare". But the sad truth is that pro-abortion democrats have no interest in making abortions "safe and rare", just legal, because if they wanted it to be safe, they would regulate abortionists, just as doctors in any other field are regulated. If they wanted to make it rare, they would themselves lobby for crises pregnancy centers as an alternative to abortion.
Don't let the language fool you. Abortion is a multi-million dollar business. This isn't about women's health, this is about money.
Here's just one example of the abortionists' deviousness:
When I called my health insurance company recently for a "gynecologist" near my job, the first name given was the (old) abortion mill on 30th Street and Lexington Ave. (they just recently moved). That leads me to believe that the facility must have been advertised as a gynecologist's office, and are they?
"Gynecology" a branch of medicine dealing with women's diseases. "Gynecologist" noun. Webster's Dictionary.
Last time I checked, having an unwanted pregnancy is not a disease.
Posted by Raquel Walker at 07:09 PM | Comments (5)
Port Deal Revisited
Recently, someone asked me to explain the DPW-P&O deal to them and why it failed so I decided to write a short 500-word essay on it. In no uncertain terms do I disagree with the contention that it was a bad deal. Corrupt? Maybe. But not bad for America. What's bad for America is treating our allies like second-class citizens. I look forward to any discussion.
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A subject of local and international interest is the failure of Dubai Ports World (DPW) to take over P&O, a British-owned firm that operates shipping terminals at six American port cities along the Atlantic Coast, including here in New York, and the Gulf of Mexico. After winning a closely contested bidding war, DPW seemed poised to make the deal. Politics, however, provided the perfect storm that sank the deal. In the end, political victories by some in the United States at the expense of a vital Middle Eastern ally send the wrong signal not only to American allies but to American enemies.
Last month, DPW, a ports operator owned by the Ports & Customs Free Zone Company (PCFC) and the government of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, won a bidding war against Ports of Singapore International (PSA) when it offered $6.8 billion for the purchase of P&O. Shortly thereafter, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which is made up of representatives from various departments including Homeland Security, approved the deal. The governments were in accord on the takeover. The politicians, however, were not.
American politicians from both parties raised questions regarding the deal based on fears that American ports if operated by foreign governments would be more susceptible to terrorist attack. New York senator Chuck Schumer and New York congressman Peter King were two particularly vocal critics of the deal who threatened to advance legislation making it illegal for foreign governments to operate American ports. The political pressure caused President Bush to re-think his promise of a veto and just a few weeks ago, DPW acquiesced and backed off the deal.
With midterm elections occurring this November, politicians used the port deal to shore up support within their constituencies to show that they were tough on security. Moreover, Democrats perceived a weakness in what has been a stronghold of Republican policy: national security - and they took advantage. With a majority of Americans against the deal, Democrats felt they couldn't lose. They may not have but maybe the country did.
Lost in all the political rhetoric was the fact that the UAE is a close ally with the United States in the war on terror so much so that the United States Navy and Air Force both have bases in Dubai. Moreover, the UAE is a member of America's Container Security Initiative, which insists that American customs agents inspect all cargo prior to shipping. The security question surrounding American ports is an important one but the larger question has to center around whether or not this issue has reified the terrorists' message.
By publicly eschewing a strategic ally in the war on terror, American politicians have hand delivered al-Qaeda and other terrorist networks as well as state sponsors of terror like Iran a public relations weapon. American enemies can point to the UAE and cogently profess that even the lackeys of the West are mistrusted because they are Muslim. In the war on terror, a war largely fought over the interpretation and symbols of religion, a win at home may have been a loss abroad.
Posted by Lee Guarnella at 03:10 PM | Comments (3)
March 30, 2006
"Raising the Titanic" Review
Last night, the New York Young Republican sponsored a discussion forum on how rebuild the New York Republican Party before it completely turns into insignificance.
The three key points:
The panel discussion did a very good job explaining where the NY GOP got to the point where it is today. The many years of simple patronage and no substance to issues has left many republicans wondering if we will ever reclaim a voice in local and state politics. If the democrats win all four statewide seats, then county committees will have to take a look at how they can rebuild. If republicans lose the state senate as well, the New York Republican Party will be at rock bottom.
Here are some recommendations to start rebuilding the party.
1. The first step in rebuilding the party is to contact your county committee and offer your time and support by seeking the smallest elected (or appointed) position within the party. The smallest unit in NYC would be a county committee representative for an Election District (ED). Each ED should have two representatives and there can be anywhere from 70 to 130 EDs in each Assembly District (AD). A committee rep serves a term of two years.
The responsibilities for a committee rep are quite simple. When candidates need to petition in your district, you should collect signatures from your republican neighbors to assure ballot status for a candidate. You may also be responsible for calling your neighbors and informing them about a candidate and the issues that he or she is running on. As a committee rep, you become the connection between the local party and the average registered voter.
A recent non-partisan study called Democracy Takes A Nap was performed by Grassroots Initiative and it found there are over 14,000 vacant committee seats between the Republican & Democratic committees. More than 5,500 Election districts have no committe reps at all. The Democratic Party has the 5-1 voter ratio advantage, so they don't need to worry as much with all the vacancies. The Republican Party, however, should make an attempt to have at least one county committee rep for an Election District. This would further connect the republican party with the registered voters on a block to block basis.
2. Using Manhattan as an example, if there are to be roughly 200 committee reps per Assembly District and there are twelve ADs in New York County. That means there should be 2,400 county committee representatives for Manhattan alone. You might think, how would the county committee be able to keep so many committee reps interested in political action? The best way to keep committe reps involved is to have monthly meetings and the best way to organize meetings is to organize a republican club. Clubs are important, because they gather like-minded individuals to listen and discuss current events and political issues that every New Yorker faces.
My first recommendation would be to learn if there is a Republican Club in your Assembly District. Of course, we would welcome anyone to join the New York Young Republican Club, but we encourage you to also get involved in a district club, especially if you desire to build the Republican Party on a local level.
District clubs are a great source of support for candidates running for City Council, Assembly, State Senate or the US House of Representatives. It should be a given that if you are a county committee rep for an ED, you are also part of your local Club, so you can be available to volunteer in some capacity for these candidates. Returning to the county example, the Republican Party should have at least one club in every AD, which means a minimum of twelve clubs. And, if the club is successful in filling committee seats and every rep is a member of the club, the district could split and create a second club. The Democratic Party already has two, three, even four clubs in many Assembly Districts throughout New York City.
The New York Young Republican Club will gladly assist anyone who is interested in becoming a county committee representative and joining their local district club.
Becoming a county committee representative and joining the local district club (as well as being a Young Republican club member) helps build the Republican Party at the local level outside of elected government office. Now with a strong force, the Republican Party should have the army to get a candidate elected, because the candidate's message will have hundreds of soldiers working on the streets and making a candidate known. But the message needs to resonate. Without a message that differentiates a candidate from the democratic opponent, the numbers generally go to the numbers with voter registration. Not one City Council District, Assembly District nor Senate District in New York City has more registered Republicans than Democrats.
The forum last night showed that there are issues for republican candidates. In order for our party to return to some viability, we need to break away from the current establishment and mean something to the People of New York.
1. We should not apolgize for being a Republican.
2. We should have five key issues that differentiate us from a democrat and mean something to voters like: taxes, education, quality of life, government & housing reform. One attendee suggested a "Contract with New Yorkers", similar to Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America".
3. If two or more individuals wish to run for a local office, we shouldn't shun primaries. If we are successful in building district clubs and base of committee reps, there will be plenty of activity for multiple candidates. Competition should also get press. Local papers and even regional papers would leap on coverage of a republican primary. Why? Because it would be novel. A Republican Primary for a local seat? It doesn't happen. Democrats do it all the time and are constantly in the paper on a daily basis during election season. Republicans should learn to do the same. Plus, campaigns can attract people to the party who may wish to join a club or get involved and become a county committee representative. Remember, press is FREE! and it helps get your message out.
Clearly, a lot needs to be done if the Republican Party wishes to to be a force in New York City politics. The seeds are there. As Republicans, we need to continue watering the seeds, so they grow the party into a strong force in local government.
Posted by Daniel Peterson at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2006
School Vouchers
I am pleased to be one of the founding bloggers on Ben Smith and Gur Tsabar's new blog, called Room 8.
I have posted a diatribe on how NY Republicans seem either too afraid or to ignorant to jump on the school choice bandwagon. I encouage you to gove it a read and let me know what you think.
Since Room 8 has both liberal and conservative readers, there should be some fireworks in this and future posts from some of my ideas. I look forward to your feedback.
Posted by Robert Hornak at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2006
Candidates wanted for 2006 Elections
The New York Young Republican Club has a history of running and supporting candidates for local office. Since most local offices in New York City are held by Democrats, there is a good chance if you choose to run, you will be challenging a Democrat.
This year's elections are for State Senate, Assembly and the US House of Representatives. If you have an interest in public service and believe you can run a strong campaign on republican principles, then contact the New York Young Republican Club at info@nycyr.org.
To find out what district you live in, visit the NYC Dept of City Planning.
To see a map for your Senate, Assembly and Congressional District, visit the Board of Elections maps page.
New York State Assembly
New York State Senate
US House of Representatives
Posted by Daniel Peterson at 06:20 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2006
Welcome to Our New Blog
Welcome to the new New York Young Republican Club blog!
This is where members of the NYYRC can sound off on the goings on in local, state and national politics that we feel very passionate or concerned about. This is an open forum where we encourage everyone to participate and contribute their ideas.
All ideas are welcome here and there will be few limits imposed on what can be discussed. The one main rule we have is that insulting or cursing out contributors or fellow commentors will not be tolerated. Anyone who engages in this sort of activity will be banned from the site. Otherwise, just about anythiing goes. So, blog away and have fun.
Any YR member interested in becoming a regular contributor should contact us at blog (at) nycyr.org.
Robert Hornak
Chairman
Posted by Robert Hornak at 05:21 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2006
Panel Discussion on Future of the NY GOP
Can the New York GOP be Salvaged?
There is universal agreement that the NY GOP is, at best, surviving on life support these days. As Republicans ability to influence the policy decisions affecting New York State slips away, we must ask ourselves some very difficult questions:
- How did we get to this point?
- Is it too late to change our fate?
- What can we do to fix our party?
Hosted By:
The NY Young Republican Club
cosponsored by:
- The Rockaway Republican Club
- The Brooklyn Young Republicans
- The Brownstone Republican Club
- NYS Republican Liberty Caucus
Join us as we explore uncharted territory.
Discussion Moderator:
Deroy Murdock
Syndicated Columnist, Scripps Howard News Service
Contributing Editor, National Review Online
Panelists:
Dr. Herbert I. London
President, Hudson Institute
Hon. Patrick Manning
Member, NY State Assembly
Heather MacDonald
Contributing Editor, City Journal
Dr. Jay Golub
Founder, Urban Republican Coalition
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
NY Academy of Science
2 East 63rd Street
A short reception will follow the program.
7:00 - 7:30 Check In
7:30 - 9:30 Program and Q&A
9:30 - 10:30 Reception
Admission is free and open to the public. RSVP requested.
For more information or to RSVP:
www.nycyr.org
info@nycyr.org
(212) 533-4940
*Assemblyman Patrick Manning was unfortunately unable to attend the event due to the legislature voting on the NYS budget and was therefore forced to remain in Albany.
** Edmund J. McMahon of the Manhattan Institute was not a confirmed panelist and did not participate in this event. We apologize for any confusion that may have been created.
Posted by Ron Lewenberg at 04:36 AM | Comments (0)
NYYRC April Political Forum
Our featured speaker will be former New York State Comptroller Ned Regan. Mr. Regan currently serves as president of Baruch College and was recently named a trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation. As one of the few Republicans to win a statewide election in NY on a conservative platform, he will speak about future prospects for conservative Republicans to run for office in NY. 591 Third Avenue
Date: Thursday, April 6, 2006
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Place: Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen's Club
283 Lexington Ave (bet 36th & 37th St), 2nd Floor
Admission: Members - FREE, Non Members - $5, F/T Students - $2.
After-politics Socializing
We always head out for drinks after the meeting, so please join us at
Margarita Murphy's
Between 38th and 39th streets
Posted by Ron Lewenberg at 04:26 AM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2006
NYYRC March Political Forum
Our featured speaker will be Alicia Colon of the New York Sun. Ms. Colon will address Republican prospects for 2006. Given the recent turmoil in GOP statewide candidacies, this is a speech you will not want to miss.
Date: Thursday, March 9, 2006
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Place: Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen's Club
283 Lexington Ave (bet 36th & 37th St), 2nd Floor
Admission: Members - FREE, Non Members - $5, F/T Students - $2.
After-politics Socializing
We always head out for drinks after the meeting, so please join us at
Margarita Murphy's
591 Third Avenue
Between 38th and 39th streets
Posted by Ron Lewenberg at 06:36 AM | Comments (0)