Farewell, Senator Morahan

Last night, Senator Thomas Morahan lost his six-month battle with leukemia at the age of 78. Sen. Morahan represented Rockland and Orange Counties for over 10 years in the NY Senate, and though he was Republican, he was the most likely of the Right to reach across the aisle. Out of respect, the Democratic Majority made the historic move of naming him Chairman of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee while he was in the minority. He had broad support on both sides, as evidenced by the fact that he won reelection in 2008 with nearly 80% of the vote despite a Democratic enrollment advantage and Obama at the top of the ticket.

You can read about the good things people are saying about him on Celeste Katz’s piece here.

Politically, this doesn’t actually mean much for the election in the 38th Senate District. Morahan announced in May that he would not be seeking reelection, and because the seat is becoming vacant after April, there will be no special election to fill the remainder of the term.  Republican Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef will face off in November against either David Carlucci, the 29 year old Town Clerk of Clarkstown, who has been endorsed by Orange County Democrats, Rockland County Democrats, and Nina Lowey or Grant Valentine .

Farewell Senator. You will be missed.

Census: It’s Important… Really, REEAALLLY Important

Right-wing radio is making an issue of the fact that the Census Bureau is over budget already. They also don’t think the money spent on the Super Bowl Commercial was wisely allocated.  I’m enormously supportive of the idea of the Census being everywhere, including the Super Bowl. In modern society, you have to be completely overwhelmed with something for it to register as a big deal. The Census is certainly a big deal. So I’m glad that I saw an ad at the movie theater last night. It’s on TV, fliers litter the streets, it’s in the papers, on the radio, even on the internet: Census 2010 Website (it’s actually pretty awesome; you should check it out).

On that note, the Census has sent out its questionnaires, and if you’re even thinking about not filling it out or sending it in, read on:

You see, there is a tremendous amount riding on this year’s Census. The political wonk in me wants to wax poetic about the Census’s effects on redistricting: the process which immediately follows the Census where we reexamine each State’s allotment of Congressmembers and redraw our legislative district lines, from Congress to City Council, accordingly. NY will likely lose a congressional seat, and our State Legislature’s lines will be redrawn to either promote or prevent progressive legislation for the next 10 years, depending on the party in power when the lines are drawn.

But, that’s not even the worst consequence on not fulfilling your civic duty. Our esteemed Borough President Scott Stringer just sent me an email that sums it up pretty well:

Based on the results of the Census, the federal government distributes $400 billion in aid among the states – a significant portion of which may benefit New York City.

This funding supports vital social service programs that may affect you or someone you know, such as the Medical Assistance Program for healthcare, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for public housing, Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants for transportation initiatives, Title I Grants for our schools, Head Start educational programs and many more. Without these programs, thousands of families would go without public housing assistance and New York City children would lack additional educational programs to help them succeed in school. That is why every person must be counted.

The letter goes on to explain that this is a community outreach effort coordinated by Manhattan elected officials and community groups to get the word out.  They have a Facebook group. Become a fan! You can watch a video from the Census below.

Read more

Non Sequitor: Lost Tribes of New York

The Lost Tribes of New York City from Carolyn London on Vimeo.

Hat Tip: Erika J

Non Sequitor: I’m Hurt

Fantastic:

Non Sequitor: Online Dating Number Crunchers

Stats on Online Cupid users’ initial message “success”– defined as the recipient replying to said message:

Question: Does this have applicability for messaging for online advocacy? Take-aways: Grammar and spelling matters. Always use “awesome” and be apologetic. And bonus points if you’re an awkward tattooed zombie rockstar in a band!

Note: Emmy is not an OKCupid user, though she has nothing against people who are.

Non Sequitor: Obama Ink

Do not try this at home:

14 more awful Obama tattoos here.

Hat tip: Gloria

Non Sequitor: MJ Block Party By Spike Lee

How sweet is this?! Y’all better be there.

Spike Lee is planning a Brooklyn block party in honor of Michael Jackson’s birthday.

On August 29th, what would have been Jackson’s 51st birthday, Lee and “the great borough of Brooklyn” will take over Fort Greene park with, according to The Root, “DJ Spinna… spinning all things Jackson, from the Jackson 5 to the Jacksons to Michael Jackson.”

Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, who has already named June 30th “Spike Lee Day,” is set to declare Aug. 29 “Michael Jackson Day.”

And don’t forget our earlier hook-up to the 50+ minute MJ remix download.

Non Sequitor: Hour-long Awesome MJ Remix

Nearly-hour-long-DJ-remix of MJ’s lesser-known songs making the rounds of the creative types with whom I work. Download here.

Hat Tip: Matthew K