City Blogs: News Blog

Posts made in: February, 2008 (5) Currently Viewing: 1 - 5 of 5

February 5, 2008 at 10:03pm

POLITICS: After Super Tu

And on we go.Yesterday’s primaries didn’t give us a clear leader for the presidential nomination, either for the Democrats or for the Republicans. And that’s a good thing. We still have a lot to learn, from all of the candidates.But while it’s rewarding to see the enthusiasm that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have generated among voters — and rewarding to see the Democrats’ race come down to a choice between a white woman and an African-American man — there are troubling signs in the Super Tuesday results.Those results underscore the divisions that continue to exist in this country. We’re divided by

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February 6, 2008 at 12:01pm

POLITICS: Day-after musings on Super Tuesday

1) Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have been on their best behavior for the past week, figuring out, obviously, that personal attacks were turning off voters. But the race is so tight now that it wouldn't take much to restart the catfight. Clinton's pushing an intense series of debates, and it's a good bet that Clinton campaign operatives are already looking for ways to bait Obama in those meet-ups and get him to feel defensive and go negative. And Obama doesn't look good when he on the defensive.2) CNN commentators were saying this morning that Democratic voters say they'll be

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February 9, 2008 at 2:34pm

POLITICS: Partisanship rules in the defender selection

It hasn't improved my assessment of the Brooks administration, or my suspicions of Republican Party Chair Steve Minarik's role, to watch the selection of a new public defender play out. Yes, the law (as a reader has pointed out) says that it's the County Legislature's responsibility to appoint a public defender. But that doesn't mean that a non-partisan committee couldn't have conducted the search and the screening.That was done successfully in the past, for good reason. And I still maintain that there's only one reason the Republicans have dug in their heels on this: they want the public defender's office

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February 9, 2008 at 5:05pm

RIGHTS: On the arrest of Gantt, Florence, and Scott

Well, there on the Democrat and Chronicle's website are police mug shots of three African-American community leaders: State Assemblymember David Gantt, the Rev. Franklin Florence, and Raymond Scott.They were arrested this morning at the County Office Building during protests over the selection process for a new public defender.The photos of Florence and Scott, in particular, made my heart skip a beat. These are men who were front-page news back during Rochester's tumultuous Civil Rights period, fighting for justice in employment and education, fighting police brutality.In one respect, it is good to see them back, these heroes of Rochester's African-American struggles.

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February 22, 2008 at 12:57pm

WHAT WE'RE READING: Intrigue at the New York Times

Online, the New Republic's fascinating behind-the-scenes tale of the research and the arguments at the New York Times, leading up to its controversial story about John McCain.

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Recent Comments

Louis Richards said:

Mary Anna, I think this will be okay. Initially, I questioned the choice too; though I had no...

about TOWLER: Rick Warren? Surely not!

george naschke said:

Obama and his handlers are shooting for the moderate Christian support that the author of the...

about MACALUSO: Obama and lowered expectations

Steve said:

There is a precedent for Obama associating himself with religious figures who have unappealing...

about TOWLER: Rick Warren? Surely not!

Richie Rich said:

Dear Ms. Towler, I would like to hear YOUR own thoughts and words on the subject. Anyone can...

about TOWLER: Rick Warren? Surely not!

john winthrop said:

Christine...you might want to check with the owners of TV TEN (WHEC-TV, formerly owned by...

about FIEN: Spilled ink