Manuel Marquino Clavel: Immigrant Day Worker 1929

Manuel Marquino Clavel was a 43 year old 'day worker' when he joined the Spanish Benevolent Society of New York City in 1929. An immigrant from Cordoba, Spain, Manuel lived in many places including Brooklyn, Massapequa Park and Lindenhurst in the 1950s.

El Diario-La Prensa Endorses Bill Thompson for Mayor

El Diario-La Prensa's endorsement (Bill Thompson for Mayor) tells why all City voters must reject King Bloomies' bid for a 3rd term and instead pull the lever for Bill Thompson. en español

Excerpt 1
After a decade misspent lionizing the rich and their excesses, too many New Yorkers are paying the price for the decisions made in Washington, on Wall Street and in City Hall. What NYC needs is an executive with a balanced perspective...where families most in need are a high priority. This leader is Bill Thompson.

Excerpt 2
Thompson has a sterling record...[and] has won the backing of highly regarded elected officials, including Nydia Velázquez, José Serrano, Rubén Díaz Jr. and Adriano Espaillat...DC37, TWU Local 100 and the Firefighters....

Excerpt 3
[Bloomberg's undemocratic maneuver he pulled on term limits] is not simply slick scheming—it is a gross abuse of power. Even Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez conducted a plebiscite on his extended stay in power.

Excerpt 4
With city government already tipped to favor the executive branch, Bloomberg’s power grab delivers a clear message: the ability of constituents to challenge power and shape decisions at the top is seriously in danger.

Inauguration is lesson plan at Obama Elementary

Inauguration is lesson plan at Obama Elementary
Emily Thomas, left, 9, Wendy Lopez, second from left, 10, Tiara Henry, second from right, 10. and Esta Thomas, 10, students at Barack Obama Elementary School, cheer as they watch television during the inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Related: Age of Obama - Inauguration
Harlem Village Academies 7th Graders Blog the Inauguration
Obama is an inspiration to a 14-year-old watching from Harlem
Hempstead's Barack Obama Elementary School

Amazing Video of the Ditching and Rescue of US Airways Flight 1549

The ditching of US Airways Flt 1549 and immediate response by passenger ferries is captured in this incredible 10 minute segment video from a security camera.

Here's what you'll see:

• The plane appears to hit water at 3:31:00pm and begins a fairly rapid drift down river.
• The camera zooms in at 3:32.39 to find passengers spilling out onto the wings.
• The camera pans right and records at 3:32:49 the first ferry steaming towards the plane. It makes contact at 3:35:08.
• A second ferry enters the frame from the Manhattan side on the left at 3:36:09, quickly followed by a 3rd ferry from the same direction at 3:36:49.
• By 3:38:00 the ferries surround the quickly drifting plane and began pulling people off the wings.
• The rescue happens while the plane, 3 large ferries and 150 passengers are pushed downstream by a strong current of the frigid Hudson.

S.O.B.’s Presents: Spanish Guitar Virtuoso Javier Ruibal - Nov. 12th

A highly regarded singer-songwriter from Cádiz, Spain, Javier Ruibal has created a new type of modern music that blends North African sounds with flamenco and other diverse influences. His music gathers in its compositions echoes and sonorous formulas of today and the cultures of past times.

With the richest rhythms and harmony of Flamenco forming the basis of his sound, Ruibal draws his inspiration from his love of life and beautiful women, resulting in lyrics dripping with fantastic tales and evocative Spanish poems of love.

Javier Ruibal is much loved and revered by musicians and fans alike in his native Spain. The singer and guitarist from Cadiz is best known for his vocal talents and songwriting, whilst his arrangements mix flamenco music with the rhythms and harmonies of world and contemporary sounds.

Although firmly rooted in flamenco, the arrangements encompass a wider musical world, from classical to jazz, bittersweet Portuguese to upbeat calypso. African and Arabic percussion give most of the numbers a North African tinge.

Where: S.O.B.'s, 204 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014

When: Wednesday, November 12th at 8pm

Ticket info: $12 in advance, $15 Day of show; Available on Ticketmaster and the S.O.B.’s Box Office 212-243-4940.

NYC Council Disses Voters: Extends Term Limits for Members and Bloomberg

New York City voters twice voted for term limits against the wishes of the politicians--and today a majority are against undoing the hard fought reform--at least not without the people's input.

So what did the City Council do today at the behest of Mayor Michael Bloomberg? It effectively said to the citizens of New York City to piss-off -- and voted to extend to the terms anyway by a vote of 29 to 22. (btw: 23 of the 29 yes votes came from members barred from seeking re-election under the voter approved law.)

Additionally, with little voter support for this unprecedented and undemocratic power-grab, the Council acted to deny the public a say in the whole matter by squashing an attempt to put the controversial amendment to a public vote.

It seems that the super-rich and powerful--and the politicians that do their bidding--just don't get it.

Nydia Velazquez (and others) believes that the power-grab violates minority voting rights, so we should see a challenge in federal court.

As a final option, voters will get a year from now to cast their votes for or against the people that just blew them off.

These are the 27 politicians on the City Council that voted for extending their terms and against a public vote on the amendment:

Bronx (7 of 8 or 88% voted with Bloomberg and against the voters)
Maria del Carmen Arroyo
Maria Baez*
Helen D. Foster*
G. Oliver Koppell*
Joel Rivera*
Larry B. Seabrook*
James Vacca

Brooklyn (11 of 16 or 69% voted with Bloomberg and against the voters)
Erik Martin Dilan*
Simcha Felder*
Lewis A. Fidler*
Sara M. Gonzalez
Darlene Mealy
Michael C. Nelson*
Domenic M. Recchia Jr.*
Diana Reyna*
Kendall Stewart*
Albert Vann*
David Yassky*

Manhattan (4 of 10 or 40% voted with Bloomberg and against the voters)
Inez E. Dickens
Robert Jackson*
Miguel Martinez*
Christine C. Quinn*

Queens (5 of 14 or 36% voted with Bloomberg and against the voters)
Leroy G. Comrie Jr.*
Melinda R. Katz*
Helen Sears*
Peter F. Vallone Jr.*
Thomas White Jr.

Staten Island (0 of 3 or 0% voted with Bloomberg and against the voters)

Additionally, Manhattan's Alan J. Gerson* voted for extending terms limits as well as for a public referendum. And Sanders Jr.* of Queens voted for extending terms limits but abstained on the question of a public referendum.

*term-limited under the public's term limits law

Link

Related:
Working Families Against Bloomy's Power Grab
Public Forum - Term Limits: Their Impact and Who Decides
Bloomberg's Power Grab Headlines
Video Message from Billionaires for Bloomberg on Term Limits
Growing Opposition To Bloomberg Power Grab
U.S. Rep. Velázquez: Changing Term Limits for Bloomberg Violates Voting Rights

Launch of www.librerialectorum.com with Mirta Ojita, Esmeralda Santiago & Victor Villaseñor Nov 19 in NYC

New York City's oldest Spanish bookstore, Librería Lectorum, closed last year. Many were saddened by the shuttering of the specialty bookstore -- a long time fixture on 14th Street and symbol of New York City's century plus Latino influence.

However, the good news though is that Librería Lectorum has been reincarnated as the nation's premier Spanish-language online bookstore. Continuing its decades-long commitment to the Latino community, this Fall Lectorum will launch a new Spanish-language website for consumers, offering tens of thousands of adult and children’s Spanish-language titles.

Bravo!

The founders and distinguished Latino authors are celebrating the launch of http://www.liberialectorum.com/ November 19th.

While the launch is an invitation-only, private event, members of the public are encouraged to log on to www.librerialectorum.com starting November 17th to see all that the site has to offer, including a recording of the Café Literario event.

Related: New York City's Oldest Spanish Bookstore to Close

Working Families Against Bloomy's Power Grab

Interesting that it's the small and scrappy Working Families Party (WFP), and not the majority Democratic Party controlling the City Council, taking on Republican Bloomberg and his Wall Street allies in their naked quest to extend the billionaire's reign. Actually, Bloomy flipped City Council Speaker Christine Quinn into ignoring the voters after a "private" chat.

A plan that was hatched...billionaires and business moguls. NYTimes

Never has the city been so nakedly for sale. Newsday

Watch the latest WFP volley in this modern version of David vs Goliath.

Q: How is it that the very people that have worked with Bush/Cheney/McCain to ravage the nation's economy, devastate working families, and squandered lives and treasure on the Iraq War, now get to buy protection? Isn't that what this whole grab for power gambit really about? And who cares if wealth trumps the public good, right?

For more information: http://www.itsourdecision.org/

Bloomberg's Power Grab Headlines

Velazquez Ups The Term Limits Ante - The Daily Politics
"And we are going to deny the ability for those minorities to be elected to office. So, I will tell you if they pass term limits legislation I will get a letter to the (U.S.) Department of Justice (invoking) the Voting Rights Act, Section 2, that because they need to be reviewed and they need to apply (it) in this case.”

Bloomberg will spend at least $100 Million on campaign. Ethics Violations? No Problem. - Washington Square Park
If Mayor Mike is so sure of his popularity and so convinced that he is the only one who can do the “job” in these tough times, why the need to bulldoze over his competition? Clearly, he will do whatever it takes to keep himself in City Hall.

Where They Stand? - It's Our Decision Campaign
Where does your City Council member stand on term limits? Are they for letting voters decide? Or do they think politicians should ignore the will of the people?

Ethics Complaint Filed Over Bloomberg-Lauder Pact - CityRoom
New York Public Interest Research Group and Common Cause filed a complaint with the City's Conflict of Interest Board that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg had violated the city’s ethics laws when he pledged to put Ronald S. Lauder on a charter revision commission to ensure that the billionaire cosmetics heir supports the mayor’s bid for a third term.

Unearthed: Lauder's 2006 Opposition to Council Changing Limits - CityHall
"Yes, problems remain. Term limits never promised to make local politicians pure. Term limits just promised to limit their lease. And the new term limits shenanigans afoot in the current City Council amply demonstrate the need to enforce reasonable restrictions on incumbency."

Ministers Speak Against Bloomberg Plan - CityRoom
City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr. said that a number of clergy leader plan to speak to their congregations against the plan to change term limits without a public vote in what he called the “100 pulpits for voters’ rights” initiative.

One More Vote Against Term-Limits Change - NYObserver
Councilwoman Darlene Mealy of Brooklyn, according to a line buried in this NY1 story, has now said she supports putting the issue up for a referendum.

Lauder and Bloomberg Strike a Deal - NYTimes
The billionaire who threatened to block Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s path to a third term has backed down.

Mayor Gives $20M in Discretionary Funding - NYSun
Over the past six years, Mr. Bloomberg has doled out about $20 million to council members for their member items, spending the most money in fiscal year 2006, when he gave out $5.6 million. That was the year Mr. Bloomberg was running for re-election.

Podcast: And for Dessert, a Mayoral Election- CityRoom
In fact, the biggest travesty of the political season so far was watching New York’s power brokers unabashedly go on bended knee to beg indulgence from a businessman and philanthropist for whom they share little respect as a statesman.

Bloomberg Accused of Power Abuse in Term-Limit Deal - 1010Wins
Opponents of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's campaign to change the city's term-limits law so he can run again filed a complaint Thursday alleging he abused his power when he made a deal to win over a potential foe.

Bloomberg Third-Term Rumors Were Met With Disbelief - NYObserver
One of the reasons that Michael Bloomberg’s recent public efforts to change the term-limits law has been fairly successful is that it's been in the works for a long time.

State Bill Would Require Term Limit Referendum - CityRoom
Assemblyman Hakeem S. Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) plans to introduce a bill that would block Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in his attempt to seek another term as mayor without first winning a public referendum.

Term Limits: It’s Our Decision - The Working Families Party
Mayor Bloomberg tells the NY Daily News (in 2002), “I would oppose any change in the law that a legislative body tries to make. I do think after you’ve asked the public to express their views twice, you don’t try to circumvent the will of the people.”

The Bloomberg Syndrome - Salon
Banana republic fever: It's catching! Another word for it might be Bloombergism or the Bloomberg syndrome. Where a figure in public life suddenly decides he's above the law or above ethical considerations just because of his own greatness. Perhaps El Comandante syndrome might capture it.

Quinn Supports Bloomberg's Reign, Wishes She Could be a Billionaire, Too - NYPress
The rest of the billionaires who control the city's newspapers and power structure have fallen in lockstep with Billionaire Bloomberg's idea.

Quinn and Majority of Council to Support Permanent Extension of Term Limits - CityHall
Lauder jolted the city’s political world last week by announcing his support for a one-time extension of term limits in order to allow the mayor to run for reelection.

Let the Voters Decide - Henry Stern
Most of the city knows that the basis of the Mayor’s decision to seek a third term is based, in part, on his continuing personal desire for relevance and attention. The more such wishes are gratified, the more they grow. The quest for fame, recognition and approval is as addictive as the craving for drugs, alcohol, and inappropriate sex. These feelings do not fade with time. This mayor is far from the worst in this area, it is simply that his ambition plays out on a grander and more public scale.

Media Pave the Way to 3rd Term for Bloomberg - NYTimes
With a fiscal crisis at hand, the business leaders of New York has already held a private referendum and decided who the next mayor should be. So in spite of his rather breathtaking grab for another term, there will be no opprobrium forthcoming from the editorial pages of the city’s newspapers.

Bloomberg Third-Term Rumors Were Met With Disbelief - NYObserver
One of the reasons that Michael Bloomberg’s recent public efforts to change the term-limits law has been fairly successful is that it's been in the works for a long time.

Thompson: Term-Limits Legislation 'Inappropriate' - The Politicker
It is inappropriate for the Mayor and City Council to pass legislation that ignores the will of the voters

No third term for Michael Bloomberg, please - rationallyspeaking.org
Please, Michael, rethink this whole thing over, retire while you are on the upswing, and let democracy run its course. This is the city that never sleeps, surely we can find at least one person as awake and ready to take the helm as you. Right?

Bill to end term limits introduced, paving way for Bloomberg - NYDailyNews
The intention of Council leaders is to move the bill-and competing legislation- swiftly through a process of public hearings and votes by the committee and the full Council.

Battling Mike Bloomberg - Crain's New York Business
Although newspaper editorial boards and the business community have already lined up behind Mr. Bloomberg, public affairs consultant Corey Bearak says, [Democrats] “running against an oligarchy is not a bad thing. A populist campaign can succeed.”

Bloomberg: Anatomy of a deception - SpinCycle
Video of Mayor Michael Bloomberg in June answering a question on his high-paid butlers' stealth polling on term limits

Candidates Forced To Reassess Because of Term Limits Talk - NYSun
Some candidates running for City Council in 2009 are saying that a push to extend term limits has left them in uncomfortable limbo, as they wait to learn if they face an entrenched incumbent instead of competing for an open seat.

Term Limits Talk Spurs Campaign Finance Board - NYSun
The ripple effect of legalizing a third term for elected officials would affect dozens of races and create previously unexplored challenges to campaign finance laws. Council members who have been raising money under the city's public financing program for a citywide office, such as comptroller or public advocate, could suddenly be faced with the prospect of running for re-election and have to comply with lower spending limits than those in place for citywide candidates.

Top Bloomberg Aide Opposes Third Term - NYSun
Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey...told The New York Sun that he is opposed to talk of a third term for the mayor.

MIKE'S POLL SIZING UP '3RD TERM' - NYPost
Not surprisingly, the poll showed little sentiment among voters for overturning the term-limits law that will force Bloomberg and other city officials to leave office on Dec. 31, 2009.

NO MORE DO-OVERS FOR TERMED-OUT POLS - NYPost
Bloomberg wants to change the rules so he can extend his term as mayor just like Hugo Chavez, who changed the constitution because he was unable to complete his self-serving and ambitious agenda in one term.

Video Message from Billionaires for Bloomberg on Term Limits

Thurston Howell III of Park Avenue is distressed that sites like this one are exposing Bloomberg's mayor-for-life scheme. He and other members of the registry have formed Billionaires for Bloomberg, a lobbying group to support the efforts by the City Council to extend term limits for Mayor Bloomberg (and themselves, of course)!

Howell and his social equals demand equal time to make their case to the unwashed masses -- so here is their video message.

Growing Opposition To Bloomberg Power Grab

BTW: I do not approve this message, so please contact Sir Howell at billionairesforbloomberg@gmail.com.

Growing Opposition To Bloomberg Power Grab

A growing number of voters, civic groups (e.g., LatinoGreens) and elected officials are alarmed by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's attempt to continue in office beyond the two terms presently allowed by law.

They are joining Nydia Velazquez (U.S.Rep-Brooklyn/Queens), Anthony Weiner U.S.Rep-Brooklyn), NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson (Brooklyn), Bill de Blasio (NYC Council-Brooklyn), Letitia James (NYC Council - Brooklyn), John Liu (NYC Council - Queens), Annabel Palma (NYC Council - Bronx) and Mark Green (former Public Advocate) in opposing what they view as an undemocratic scheme: using the current Wall Street crisis as cover to deep-six the mayoral term limits law New Yorkers fought so hard to enact.

Stop Mike Bloomberg's power grab - Daily News
Term limit power grab would mar Mayor Mike Bloomberg's legacy - Daily News
Bloomberg Makes Power Grab - Amsterdam News
Bloomberg Expected to Seek Third Term as Mayor - NYTimes
Early Opposition to Bloomberg Power Grab - Village Voice
Bloomy: I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough and Doggone It, People Like Me So Much They'll Let Me Overturn Our Democracy - Room8
Bloomberg Archives: Was a Lauder Deal even legal?; Anatomy of a deception; Unanswered questions, dark suspicions; Bloomberg's saddest moment- SpinCycle
Bloomberg once called change to term limits a 'disgrace' - Newsday
U.S. Rep. Velázquez: Changing Term Limits for Bloomberg Violates Voting Rights - Latino LI

Additionally, people like Velazquez are concerned that such a ploy by a sitting incumbent, a billionaire able to use his personal wealth and the power of the public purse, to "persuade" willing council members, is both a corruption of the democratic process and undermines people's voting rights--especially of minority voters.

What follows is an Open Letter To all N.Y.C. Residents To Act To STOP Bloomberg High jack of City Hall by concerned citizens:

In the midst of the Global financial crisis, Mayor Bloomberg has decided to remain as the Mayor of New York in spite of the existing term limits.

Preying on the fear felt and the uncertainty faced by New Yorkers, Bloomberg has decided that he is the only one able to lead in these dark times ahead. In order to bypass the term limit laws put in place by the New York City electorate on two occasions Bloomberg has resorted to attempting to override the law via his back room dealings with many self serving Council people.

Together they are working to push a bill in the City Council that will, if they prevail, give Bloomberg a third illegal term. This scheme is one that if successful can be repeated again and again as long as people are facing the uncertainty of the world-wide financial crisis.

IF TERM LIMITS LAWS ARE TO BE ELIMINATED OR MODIFIED IT MUST ONLY BE DONE BY THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS THAT INSTITUTED THEM: A REFERENDUM.

CALL, FAX AND E-MAIL THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU WILL REWARD THEM FOR THEIR LOYALTY; OR PUNISH THEM FOR THEIR BETRAYAL. THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY WILL BE WATCHING HOW THEY VOTE.

Brooklyn City Council Members

Charles Barron
718 Pennsylvania Ave.
Brooklyn, New York 11207
718-649-9495/9496 tel.
718-649-3111 fax

Bill de Blasio
2907 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
Brooklyn, New York 11218
718-854-9791
718-854-1146

Erik Martin Dilan
387 Arlington Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11208
718-642-8664 tel.
718-642-8639 fax

Mathieu Eugene
123 Linden Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York 11226
718-287-8762 tel
718-287-8917 fax

Simcha Felder
4424 16th Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11204
718-853-2704 tel.
718-853-3858 fax

Lewis A. Fidler
1402 East 64th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11234
718-241-9330 tel.
718-241-9316 fax

Vincent J. Gentile
8703 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11209
718-748-5200 tel.
718-748-5222 fax

Sara M. Gonzalez
5601 5th Ave S-2
Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-439-9012 tel.
718-439-9042 fax

Letitia James
67 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-260-9191 tel.
718-260-9099 fax

Darlene Mealy
1757 Union Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11213
718-953-3097 tel.
718-953-3276 fax

Michael C. Nelson
3810-A Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11235
718-368-9176 tel.
718-368-9160 fax

Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.
445 Neptune Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11224
718-373-9673 tel.
718-373-0195 fax

Diana Reyna
444 South 5th St.
Brooklyn, New York 11211
718-963-3141 tel.
718-963-4527 fax

Kendall Stewart
1694 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11210
718-951-8177 tel.
718-951-8191 fax

Albert Vann
613-619 Throop Ave.
Brooklyn, New York 11216
718-919-0740 tel.
718-919-0744 fax

David Yassky
114 Court Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
718-875-5200 tel.
718-643-6620 fax

Queens City Council Members

Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
159-53 102 Street
Howard Beach, New York 11414
718-738-1111 tel.
718-322-5760 fax

Tony Avella
38-50 Bell Blvd., Suite C
Bayside, New York 11361
718-747-2137 tel.
718-747-3105 fax

Anthony Como
78-25 Metropolitan Avenue
Middle Village, NY 11379
718-366-3900 tel.
718-326-3549 fax

Leroy G. Comrie, Jr.
113-43 Farmers Boulevard
St. Albans, NY 11412
718-776-3700 tel.
718-776-3798 fax

James F. Gennaro
185-10 Union Turnpike
Fresh Meadows, New York 11366
718-217-4969 tel.
718-217-4968 fax

Eric N. Gioia
47-01 Queens Boulevard
Suite 205
Sunnyside, New York 11104
718-383-9566 tel.
718-383-9076 fax

Melinda R. Katz
104-01 Metropolitan Ave.
Forest Hills, New York 11375
718-544-8800 tel.
718-544-4452 fax

John C. Liu
135-27 38th Avenue
Suite 388
Flushing, New York 11354
718-888-8747 tel.
718-888-0331 fax

Hiram Monserrate
32-37 Junction Boulevard
East Elmhurst, New York 11369
718-205-3881 tel.
718-205-4145 fax

James Sanders, Jr.
226-18 Merrick Blvd.
Laurelton, New York 11413
718-527-4356 tel.
718-527-4402 fax

Helen Sears
37-32 75th St.
Jackson Heights, New York 11372
718-803-6373 tel.
718-803-9832 fax

Peter F. Vallone, Jr.
22-45 31st Street.
Astoria, New York 11105
718-274-4500 tel.
718-726-0357 fax

David I. Weprin
205-07 Hillside Ave.
Suite 16
Hollis, New York 11423
718-465-8202 tel.
718-776-2302 fax

Thomas White, Jr.
145- 40 Rockaway Blvd
South Ozone Park, New York 11436
718-843-0792 tel.
718-845-0817 fax

U.S. Rep. Velázquez: Changing Term Limits for Bloomberg Violates Voting Rights

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he wants the City Council to change the NYC's term-limits law and allow him another four years. A looming City fiscal crisis is the justification of the moment.

However, not everyone agrees that tampering with term limits is a good idea. Mayoral wannabes Congressman Anthony Weiner and Comptroller Bill Thompson--both Brooklynites--are, of course, opposed.

But so is LI's sole Latino Congressional Rep. - Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn/Queens).

“It is totally wrong. It is totally un-American. It is totally undemocratic to overturn the people’s will that has been expressed clearly in two different referendums.

I reject the notion that, because of the fiscal crisis, we should use this as an opportunity to overturn the people’s will. New York City is one of the most resilient cities in the nation. It was shown after 9/11, when Giuliani wanted to use the attack as an argument to turn back the people’s will. This would be wrong. It’s morally wrong. And I will pose the question: Is it legal?”

More specifically, Ms. Velázquez said that any changes enacted by the City Council after the two referendums would have to be approved by the United States Department of Justice’s civil rights division, since three of New York’s boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx — are protected under the federal Voting Rights Act.

Links:
Term Limit Plan Called ‘Totally Un-American’
Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez
NYC Mayor Bloomberg to seek 3rd term

Indigenous Peoples Day at The American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History
presents

Indigenous Peoples Day
Saturday, August 9
12 noon-5:00 p.m.

Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Free with Museum admission

In recognition of the United Nations' International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, this afternoon features a special concert performance with Halau I Ka Wekiu from Hawai'i as well as an indigenous Caribbean cultural presentation by members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society.

"Yarning Up", a short film series focusing on Northern Australian
Aboriginal stories, will also be featured.

An Indigenous Artisan Showcase will take place in the Museum's Grand Gallery.

This program is cosponsored with the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Tribal Link Foundation and the United Confederation of
Taino People.

1:00 p.m. - Halau I Ka Wekiu
Hawaiian Hula School Performance

2:00 p.m. - "Yarning Up: 4 Short Stories from the Top End"
Australian Aboriginal Short Films
Screening with introduction and Q&A by Producer Penny Smallacombe

3:00 p.m. - Halau I Ka Wekiu
Hawaiian Hula School Performance

4:30 p.m. - Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society

12noon – 5:30pm: An Indigenous Artisan Showcase, Grand Gallery, First Floor
Several indigenous artists including Jude Norris (Cree) and Taino Spirit will display their works throughout the day.

Mexican Film Festival

The First Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival runs July 23-27 at the QUAD Cinema in Greenwich Village (34 West 13th Street, New York, NY).

A terrific venue, interesting films and fun fiestas will no doubt make this festival a major cinematic, social and cultural event.

The Films

3:19
Malos Hábitos

Bajo Juárez












Fuera del cielo

Nacido sin












Quemar las naves

Llamando a un Ángel


Niñas mal


Mejor es que Gabriela no se muera


La Zona


Stellet Licht


Familia tortuga

Adolfo Carrión Jr.: The Most Powerful?

Long Island has a growing cadre of talented Latino political leaders.

Vivian Viloria Fisher of Seatuket, David Mejias of Hickville, Phil Ramos of Brentwood, Ricardo Montano of Central Islip, Mark Bonilla of Hempstead and Nydia Velasquez of Brooklyn are some the stars.

However, if things go according to plan, the most powerful Latino on Long Island come January 1, 2010 may hail from a different island and may never reside on Long Island proper.

He's Adolfo Carrión Jr., the current Bronx borough president--and a resident of City Island.

That's right.

Carrión recently announced that he will run for NYC Comptroller in 2009.

If successful in his bid, Comptroller Carrión would oversee NYC's massive $60 billion budget, $50 billion capital plan and $100 billion+ in pension funds--a chunk of which directly and indirectly impacts residents and businesses in Queens, Brooklyn and beyond.

Related: Carrión to Run for Comptroller in 2009
Official Biography of Adolfo Carrión Jr.