Since I know at least Ken Lovett and the Daily News read the blog and will followup on my unregistered lobbyist queries I'll try again in the hopes that the overpaid under talented lacking a leader crowd at JJOKE may WAKE UP and do some work.
Watch this ad http://www.idc4workingwomenny.com/
Now I might not know everything about the definition of lobbying and I know plenty of folks think I'm wrong when I say the State Democratic Party should be registered as lobbyists for their ads (btw all those folks that say political parties are exempt from lobby registration please cite me the section of the Lobby Act that says thats the case) but this ad is clearly lobbying and it says it is paid for by the IDC Initiative.
Somebody at JJOKE please wake up and open a file on the IDC Initiative as an unregistered lobbyist.
For the three monkey crowd at the LCA you might want to think about asking some questions.
It's time for a new watchdog . . . don't you think
Monday, June 17, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Unregistered lobbyists does JJOKE care? does the media care? why should I care?
Back in the old days this time of year brought lots of unregistered lobbyist cases to investigate. All I needed to do was listen to the radio, watch television, drive around and see the billboards. Old habits die hard and I still make note of all the lobby ads and occasionally see who isn't registered. I wonder if anyone at JJOKE does that? I wonder if anyone in the media does?
Well it's not my job and unless someone is paying me to help or hurt an unregistered lobbyist I should just mind my own business, but old habits die hard so here is one last list of unregistered lobbyists I'd be looking at if the lobby commission still existed. Hope it helps whomever still cares about this sort of thing.
Artists Against Fracking - Yoko Ono . . . hot issue celebrity involvement make it a good case to look at http://artistsagainstfracking.com/
Fair Elections for New York coalition . . .hot issue celebrity involvement make it a good case to look at http://fairelectionsny.org/dontcomehome/
New York State Democratic Party . . . it doesn't get any bigger possible gift to public official is a bonus http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/video-gov-andrew-cuomo-s-clean-up-albany-television-ad/article_d65fc416-b80c-11e2-b68b-001a4bcf887a.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Feminists Choosing Life of NY Action, Inc. . . the top issue today http://statepolitics.lohudblogs.com/2013/04/10/anti-abortion-billboards-coming-soon-to-albany-interstates/
I could go on and on but for anyone interested its a good start and for JJOKE it represents 10 Vito Lopez investigations worth of time and energy
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us"
Well it's not my job and unless someone is paying me to help or hurt an unregistered lobbyist I should just mind my own business, but old habits die hard so here is one last list of unregistered lobbyists I'd be looking at if the lobby commission still existed. Hope it helps whomever still cares about this sort of thing.
Artists Against Fracking - Yoko Ono . . . hot issue celebrity involvement make it a good case to look at http://artistsagainstfracking.com/
Fair Elections for New York coalition . . .hot issue celebrity involvement make it a good case to look at http://fairelectionsny.org/dontcomehome/
New York State Democratic Party . . . it doesn't get any bigger possible gift to public official is a bonus http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/video-gov-andrew-cuomo-s-clean-up-albany-television-ad/article_d65fc416-b80c-11e2-b68b-001a4bcf887a.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Feminists Choosing Life of NY Action, Inc. . . the top issue today http://statepolitics.lohudblogs.com/2013/04/10/anti-abortion-billboards-coming-soon-to-albany-interstates/
I could go on and on but for anyone interested its a good start and for JJOKE it represents 10 Vito Lopez investigations worth of time and energy
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us"
What's the big secret? Times Union editorial close but no bullseye
The Times Union has an editorial today about JJOKE and it's secrecy http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/whats-the-big-secret/25370/
Since I'm on a roll with the media's role as enabler in Albany's ethics swamp let me continue.
The editorial is spot on when it says there is no legitimate reason for the continued secrecy at JJOKE. By the way that has been the case for the last 6 years but better late than never when it comes to the media noticing the obvious. But the Times Union editorial board falls into the same old "lets pass legislation to fix this problem" mantra. Worse this time the editorial gives the individual commissioners a pass . . . it's not their fault, according to the editorial, the law doesn't allow disclosure. HORSESHIT!!!!! or as Marcel Proust would say CONNERIES!!!!!!! (proper punctuation?).
IT"S THE PEOPLE STUPID as I blogged yesterday the commissioners can disclose anything they want to about Gropergate, the law allows them to, all they need to do is make a motion and pass a resolution. All the media needs to do is read the law (I posted it on my blog) and start asking the commissioners some questions . . . like why don't you disclose this information. When they give you the conneries about the law will not allow it ask them to explain why they don't use the part of the statute that permits them to authorize the disclosure of this information and then print the no comment response.
In case you don't know who the commissioners are here is a list, their phone numbers are easily found (just look at past blog entries):
Dan Horwitz - Cuomo appointee
David Arroyo - Cuomo appointee
Patrick Bulgaro - Silver appointee
Joe Covello - Skelos appointee
LaShann DeArcy - Sampson appointee
Vince DeIorio - Cuomo appointee
Mitra Hormozi -Cuomo appointee
Marvin Jacob - Silver appointee
Seymor Knox - Cuomo appointee
Gary Lavine - Cuomo appointee
Mary Lou Rath - Skelos appointee
David Renzi- Kolb appointee
George Weissmann- Skelos appointee
Ellen Yaroshefsky - Silver appointee
All you need is eight of the fourteen to agree that the information the Times Union is seeking may be released - problem solved.
But if you never ask you are delusional if you think you will get the information.
"Nine tenths of the ills from which intelligent people suffer spring from their intellect.”
Since I'm on a roll with the media's role as enabler in Albany's ethics swamp let me continue.
The editorial is spot on when it says there is no legitimate reason for the continued secrecy at JJOKE. By the way that has been the case for the last 6 years but better late than never when it comes to the media noticing the obvious. But the Times Union editorial board falls into the same old "lets pass legislation to fix this problem" mantra. Worse this time the editorial gives the individual commissioners a pass . . . it's not their fault, according to the editorial, the law doesn't allow disclosure. HORSESHIT!!!!! or as Marcel Proust would say CONNERIES!!!!!!! (proper punctuation?).
IT"S THE PEOPLE STUPID as I blogged yesterday the commissioners can disclose anything they want to about Gropergate, the law allows them to, all they need to do is make a motion and pass a resolution. All the media needs to do is read the law (I posted it on my blog) and start asking the commissioners some questions . . . like why don't you disclose this information. When they give you the conneries about the law will not allow it ask them to explain why they don't use the part of the statute that permits them to authorize the disclosure of this information and then print the no comment response.
In case you don't know who the commissioners are here is a list, their phone numbers are easily found (just look at past blog entries):
Dan Horwitz - Cuomo appointee
David Arroyo - Cuomo appointee
Patrick Bulgaro - Silver appointee
Joe Covello - Skelos appointee
LaShann DeArcy - Sampson appointee
Vince DeIorio - Cuomo appointee
Mitra Hormozi -Cuomo appointee
Marvin Jacob - Silver appointee
Seymor Knox - Cuomo appointee
Gary Lavine - Cuomo appointee
Mary Lou Rath - Skelos appointee
David Renzi- Kolb appointee
George Weissmann- Skelos appointee
Ellen Yaroshefsky - Silver appointee
All you need is eight of the fourteen to agree that the information the Times Union is seeking may be released - problem solved.
But if you never ask you are delusional if you think you will get the information.
"Nine tenths of the ills from which intelligent people suffer spring from their intellect.”
Thursday, June 13, 2013
An ethics mulligan
Another goo goo has joined the
fight. Bill Samuels is in the news
again. I don't know this person. I've heard he's a nice guy I’ve also heard his
father was involved with Mario Cuomo back in the day, but the truth is that I really don't care
about that. For my purposes, it's irrelevant whether he's a saint or SOB.
All that interests me is whether
people follow the rules. I am extra interested in this when we're talking about
people who present themselves as doing “the right thing” when it comes to
ethics reform in New York.
A person standing up to make a
speech about doing “the right thing” had better do “the right thing” himself or
herself.
There is nothing easier than writing
a blog about ethics and hypocracy. I’ve
been using that theme to write about Ellen Biben, Herb Teitelbaum, Barry
Ginsberg, John Feerick, Michael Cherkasky, JJOKE etc etc well you get the idea the list appears to be
endless.
But back to Mr. Samuels. He is now
making a lot of public statements about the influence of money in politics and
need for campaign finance reform.
Good for him. He’s got a right to do
that no matter how wrong he may be – so long as he follows the rules. But there
may be a question about that. I’ve been
receiving lots of tips that I or my new organization Ethics Watch ought to take
a look at Mr. Samuels.
It seems Mr. Samuels, a Harvard/MIT
grad, runs a group called the New Roosevelt Institute, a New York Not for
Profit corporation that has applied to the IRS for 501c3 status.
Under federal
law, such organizations are limited in their lobbying activity as well as their
political advocacy.
But what Mr. Samuels is doing –
arguing for passage of a specific bill – sure seems like lobbying.
Forget about state lobbying rules
for a moment – and that’s easily done since JJOKE won’t enforce anything unless
told to do so by a higher power. Focus
instead on the IRS, which has rules about charities getting involved in lobbying
and political activity. Those rules dictate that an organization can lose its
tax exempt status if involved in lobbying and/or political activity.
What activity? Well, it’s pretty
clear: You’re not supposed to attempt to influence legislation or
support/oppose candidates for office.
It would appear that Mr. Samuels
recent activities, that were reported in the media, establish that he is
engaged in such activity. Again, he's issuing news releases under his
organization's letterhead, and making other public statements citing his
affiliation.
Now I don’t know for sure whether
Mr. Samuels is violating any laws. I’ve only looked quickly at the available
materials and reports.
That said, there is at least a
question about whether he is complying fully with all the appropriate laws.
If he is, fine. But if he's not,
we'll have to add him to the list of people who I think deserve a special place
in you know where. Right there next to Ellen and Herb and Barry and everyone
else who thinks the rules don’t apply to them.
The major difference in my approach
with Mr. Samuels is he appears to have lots of cash and he isn’t afraid to
spend it, so in the interests of cultivating new friends, here is some free
advice Mr. Samuels, do it right from the beginning. Don’t make it easy for someone like me to
criticize you. If you are not wearing a
white hat don’t parade around in a black hat with a target on it.
Because when it comes to ethics
reform guys like me are up on the roof just waiting to pull the trigger.
That’s my good deed for the week let’s
see if Karma will reward me.
At the very least it should wipe my
slate clean. Call it an ethics mulligan.
How to find out who voted not to investigate Shelly
The Times Union has a very well punctuated story today about JJOKE's refusal to provide any additional information about gropergate. Jimmy V smartly requested minutes regarding the vote and transcripts of Shelly's testimony. Smart because he gets a story, well punctuated, either way. He either writes about what the information he requested is or he writes about JJOKE's refusal to provide it. It's like reading Proust in the Park, its a no lose, either you understand what Proust is writing and grow spiritually from the reading or if you don't those that see you will think you are a learned man, even if you don't understand a word but can find all the bad punctuation.
Anyway back to JJOKE and it's reliance that it is not subject to FOIL. There is an easy fix for the media's frustration over being unable to get the vote totals (if you ask me 4 commissioners refused to authorize an investigation of Shelly and as a result Biben never asked for a vote she couldn't win. . . remember the meeting where Marvin Jacobs made a motion to discuss the case in public that was defeated by the Cuomo appointees, thats when it happened . . . good work Marvin) heres the fix.
ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO AUTHORIZE ITS RELEASE
Executive Law section 94 states at paragraph 9-a sub b and c as follows:
"(b)Except as otherwise required or provided by law, testimony received or any other information obtained by a commissioner or staff of the commission shall not be disclosed by any such individual to any person or entity outside the commission during the pendency of any matter. Any confidential communication to any person or entity outside the commission related to the matters before the commission may occur only as authorized by the commission.
(c) The commission shall establish procedures necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of any information received by any member of the commission or staff of the commission. Any breaches of confidentiality shall be investigated by the inspector general and appropriate action shall be taken. Any commissioner or person employed by the commission who intentionally and without authorization releases confidential information received by the commission shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. "
It's pretty simple, stupid, the commissioners can individually release that information for 2 seperate reasons.
One the matter isn't pending anymore. It's over, finished, done. The reporters should be asking the commissioners directly to answer questions. THEY CAN IF THEY WANT TO and any commissioner refusing should be asked what they are hiding and when they still refuse to provide this vitally important information splash their name all over your editorial pages ruining whats left of their reputations. If you need their phone numbers I posted them on the blog last winter.
Two the commission as a body can authorize the release of the information. At the next meeting the media should pack the room and demand a vote to authorize the release of this vitally important information. Get Marvin Jacobs to make the motion and lets watch the wiggling begin. Once again when they still refuse to provide this vitally important information splash their name all over your editorial pages ruining whats left of their reputations. If you need their phone numbers I posted them on the blog last winter.
If the media really wants the information use the power of the pen AND GO GET IT. Stop being so polite. Anyone who has ever been in a street fight knows there are no rules and usually the fight ends with the first garbage can to the back of the head.
Here I'll show you how. Mr. Weissman did you ever vote for an investigation of Speaker Silver? Mr. Weissman can you explain why you are refusing to tell the public how you voted? Mr. Weissman can you explain who you are protecting by your silence? Mr. Weissman what public purpose are you serving by hiding your actions in this case. Mr. Weissman are you afraid of something? Mr. Weissman are you the source of Grandeau's information? (I can answer that I've never spoken to George Weissman). Mr. Weissman do you consider your service on JJOKE to be something you are proud of? Mr. Weissman when will you be resigning? Do that for all 14 commissioners on camera at the next meeting and come up with your own tough questions don't let them hide in the shadows anymore.
Or the media can always go in the park and read Proust, there is no downside to that.
Remember "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes" A smart dude said that in french a long time ago.
Anyway back to JJOKE and it's reliance that it is not subject to FOIL. There is an easy fix for the media's frustration over being unable to get the vote totals (if you ask me 4 commissioners refused to authorize an investigation of Shelly and as a result Biben never asked for a vote she couldn't win. . . remember the meeting where Marvin Jacobs made a motion to discuss the case in public that was defeated by the Cuomo appointees, thats when it happened . . . good work Marvin) heres the fix.
ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO AUTHORIZE ITS RELEASE
Executive Law section 94 states at paragraph 9-a sub b and c as follows:
"(b)Except as otherwise required or provided by law, testimony received or any other information obtained by a commissioner or staff of the commission shall not be disclosed by any such individual to any person or entity outside the commission during the pendency of any matter. Any confidential communication to any person or entity outside the commission related to the matters before the commission may occur only as authorized by the commission.
(c) The commission shall establish procedures necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of any information received by any member of the commission or staff of the commission. Any breaches of confidentiality shall be investigated by the inspector general and appropriate action shall be taken. Any commissioner or person employed by the commission who intentionally and without authorization releases confidential information received by the commission shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. "
It's pretty simple, stupid, the commissioners can individually release that information for 2 seperate reasons.
One the matter isn't pending anymore. It's over, finished, done. The reporters should be asking the commissioners directly to answer questions. THEY CAN IF THEY WANT TO and any commissioner refusing should be asked what they are hiding and when they still refuse to provide this vitally important information splash their name all over your editorial pages ruining whats left of their reputations. If you need their phone numbers I posted them on the blog last winter.
Two the commission as a body can authorize the release of the information. At the next meeting the media should pack the room and demand a vote to authorize the release of this vitally important information. Get Marvin Jacobs to make the motion and lets watch the wiggling begin. Once again when they still refuse to provide this vitally important information splash their name all over your editorial pages ruining whats left of their reputations. If you need their phone numbers I posted them on the blog last winter.
If the media really wants the information use the power of the pen AND GO GET IT. Stop being so polite. Anyone who has ever been in a street fight knows there are no rules and usually the fight ends with the first garbage can to the back of the head.
Here I'll show you how. Mr. Weissman did you ever vote for an investigation of Speaker Silver? Mr. Weissman can you explain why you are refusing to tell the public how you voted? Mr. Weissman can you explain who you are protecting by your silence? Mr. Weissman what public purpose are you serving by hiding your actions in this case. Mr. Weissman are you afraid of something? Mr. Weissman are you the source of Grandeau's information? (I can answer that I've never spoken to George Weissman). Mr. Weissman do you consider your service on JJOKE to be something you are proud of? Mr. Weissman when will you be resigning? Do that for all 14 commissioners on camera at the next meeting and come up with your own tough questions don't let them hide in the shadows anymore.
Or the media can always go in the park and read Proust, there is no downside to that.
Remember "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes" A smart dude said that in french a long time ago.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The goo goos and creelan strike again
Here we go again and again and again and again
A new package of legislation created and drafted by the dark prince of ethics, the Brennan Centers own Jeremy Creelan and supported enthusiastically by the witches from Macbeth standing around their bubbling cauldron of good government bullshit Susan Lerner et al. has arrived.
When will the media smarten up and ask some tough questions about ethics reform, reform, reform, reform?
I could have sworn ethics reform was done when Jeremy fd it up last time and created JJOKE.
I could have sworn ethics reform was done when Susan cackled that the source of funding and business relationship disclosures were the answer. . . Hell, Susan's own source of funding disclosure is at best incomplete and late and at worst a complete sham. Hey Susan do you still think those disclosure requirements matter?
Now I could go back and pull all the old quotes from the usual caste of characters about how this legislation is the dawn of a new day for Albany but why bother the media has the collective memory of a fruit fly when it comes to this stuff. They report it as if its the first time they ever heard it with quotes from Creelan, Lerner and the governor as if they actually had meaning.
I can hear KC and the rest of the Albany sunshine band muttering as they read the blog and believe me they read the blog . . .just another poorly punctuated rant from Grandeau, I can't remember the last time he was right about any of this stuff. All he does is predict the future he never stops telling us its the people stupid.
Well here are a couple more predictions the media can ignore or spellcheck whichever they prefer.
JJOKE is interviewing at least 8 to 10 people whose resumes they received from Monster.com or the 2nd floor.
Those interviews are being done in secret, even from the majority of commissioners.
One of the candidates is the selection of the 2nd floor the rest are just involved in a circle jerk.
Only the 2nd floor and the JJOKE chair know who the selection will be.
The selection will be made after the legislative JJOKE commissioners are faced with the realization that they have no choice.
The new 2nd floor ED will be in the same mold as the last 2nd floor ED.
Creelan and the goo goos will applaud the selection.
The media will print all the canned quotes.
A new day will dawn on ethics reform.
And I'll have plenty of new material for the blog.
Imagine if they picked Creelan or Lerner. How great would that be? Let them live with the abortion they conceived.
The mere thought of that has me craving the opportunity to educate Susan Arbetter about what goes on in the capital . . . again.
And speaking of education which JJOKE employee took a teaching gig at a University that is subject to the jurisdiction of JJOKE, without informing the commissioners? Bad judgement. And as soon as I get her financial disclosure I'll file a complaint alleging a violation of the Public Officers Law. You see I have a long memory and a short list.
A new package of legislation created and drafted by the dark prince of ethics, the Brennan Centers own Jeremy Creelan and supported enthusiastically by the witches from Macbeth standing around their bubbling cauldron of good government bullshit Susan Lerner et al. has arrived.
When will the media smarten up and ask some tough questions about ethics reform, reform, reform, reform?
I could have sworn ethics reform was done when Jeremy fd it up last time and created JJOKE.
I could have sworn ethics reform was done when Susan cackled that the source of funding and business relationship disclosures were the answer. . . Hell, Susan's own source of funding disclosure is at best incomplete and late and at worst a complete sham. Hey Susan do you still think those disclosure requirements matter?
Now I could go back and pull all the old quotes from the usual caste of characters about how this legislation is the dawn of a new day for Albany but why bother the media has the collective memory of a fruit fly when it comes to this stuff. They report it as if its the first time they ever heard it with quotes from Creelan, Lerner and the governor as if they actually had meaning.
I can hear KC and the rest of the Albany sunshine band muttering as they read the blog and believe me they read the blog . . .just another poorly punctuated rant from Grandeau, I can't remember the last time he was right about any of this stuff. All he does is predict the future he never stops telling us its the people stupid.
Well here are a couple more predictions the media can ignore or spellcheck whichever they prefer.
JJOKE is interviewing at least 8 to 10 people whose resumes they received from Monster.com or the 2nd floor.
Those interviews are being done in secret, even from the majority of commissioners.
One of the candidates is the selection of the 2nd floor the rest are just involved in a circle jerk.
Only the 2nd floor and the JJOKE chair know who the selection will be.
The selection will be made after the legislative JJOKE commissioners are faced with the realization that they have no choice.
The new 2nd floor ED will be in the same mold as the last 2nd floor ED.
Creelan and the goo goos will applaud the selection.
The media will print all the canned quotes.
A new day will dawn on ethics reform.
And I'll have plenty of new material for the blog.
Imagine if they picked Creelan or Lerner. How great would that be? Let them live with the abortion they conceived.
The mere thought of that has me craving the opportunity to educate Susan Arbetter about what goes on in the capital . . . again.
And speaking of education which JJOKE employee took a teaching gig at a University that is subject to the jurisdiction of JJOKE, without informing the commissioners? Bad judgement. And as soon as I get her financial disclosure I'll file a complaint alleging a violation of the Public Officers Law. You see I have a long memory and a short list.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Irresponsible allegations
My My My did I upset the media folks yesterday with my appearance on Susan Arbetter's Capital Pressroom.
I was asked by Susan to be on to talk about JJOKE's failure to include an email related to an allegation about Speaker Silver in the documents they collected as part of the monumental waste of time known as the Vito Lopez investigation.
Somehow Susan and Mickey Carroll (the Quinnipiac pollster) got diverted into a conversation about female reporters in Albany and Susan pointed out that we now have more of them. Why she said it I don't know but I provacatively noted that just means more opportunity for one or more female members of the media to sleep with a legislator.
Susan was visibly upset and asked if I would care to name names.
And thats where the media doesn't get the bigger picture
Who cares? If the media cared about who was sleeping with who in government why didn't they go waste resources to find out? It's only, pardon the pun, sexy now because someone is using the issue to attempt to leverage the speaker.
Weeks ago a Times Union reporter was talking to me about John Sampson and rumors regarding his alleged relationship with a female lobbyist. I told the reporter I had heard the same rumors and I would certainly read the story but was the reporter prepared to follow the theme and really investigate the issue? The reporter wrote the story and that was that no larger story about the issue. And I was fine with that because at the end of the day who cares? There are more relevant ethics issues that the media completely misses. I've gotten used to it.
But half an hour ago Casey Seiler called me to ask if I would name names.
I told him what I told Susan the answer is no but you are missing the point. Casey accused me of being irresponsible. You pushed my button Casey and I gave him a quote for the record "when it comes to the media and reporting ethics do you think I give a shit about being irresponsible?"
If you care about my allegation Casey go out and ask people in the Albany media past and present if they've slept with people in the legislature. I hope they all tell you to go F yourself.
Maybe then you will get the point I was making. It's irresponsible to write about the issue now. And if you plan on starting to cover the subject you will need to buy more ink.
There is plenty of corruption in Albany that JJOKE ignores, plenty of lobby law violations that everyone tolerates, plenty of per diem and expense abuse that you can't seem to focus on. And I get it everyone wants to read about the sex. The media is more than happy to become a home for the ethical voyeurs.
So just think of me as an ethics tease. Enjoy the hunt or go take a cold shower.
UPDATE The blog is receiving more traffic more quickly as a result of this story than anything I've ever written. What does that say about media coverage of ethics in Albany? Thankyou goes out to Capital Tonight and the Times Union for linking their stories to my story. How long will it take for those in the media to get the point of my comment and my manipulation of their instinct to be defensive? If any of you folks in the media want me on your show to talk about the media's role in Albany's ethical morass I'm ready willing and able. If you want me to name names save yourself the trouble and do a google search. And Casey this is for you , , ' : ; ! ,. Being able to punctuate properly doesn't make you more relevant.
I was asked by Susan to be on to talk about JJOKE's failure to include an email related to an allegation about Speaker Silver in the documents they collected as part of the monumental waste of time known as the Vito Lopez investigation.
Somehow Susan and Mickey Carroll (the Quinnipiac pollster) got diverted into a conversation about female reporters in Albany and Susan pointed out that we now have more of them. Why she said it I don't know but I provacatively noted that just means more opportunity for one or more female members of the media to sleep with a legislator.
Susan was visibly upset and asked if I would care to name names.
And thats where the media doesn't get the bigger picture
Who cares? If the media cared about who was sleeping with who in government why didn't they go waste resources to find out? It's only, pardon the pun, sexy now because someone is using the issue to attempt to leverage the speaker.
Weeks ago a Times Union reporter was talking to me about John Sampson and rumors regarding his alleged relationship with a female lobbyist. I told the reporter I had heard the same rumors and I would certainly read the story but was the reporter prepared to follow the theme and really investigate the issue? The reporter wrote the story and that was that no larger story about the issue. And I was fine with that because at the end of the day who cares? There are more relevant ethics issues that the media completely misses. I've gotten used to it.
But half an hour ago Casey Seiler called me to ask if I would name names.
I told him what I told Susan the answer is no but you are missing the point. Casey accused me of being irresponsible. You pushed my button Casey and I gave him a quote for the record "when it comes to the media and reporting ethics do you think I give a shit about being irresponsible?"
If you care about my allegation Casey go out and ask people in the Albany media past and present if they've slept with people in the legislature. I hope they all tell you to go F yourself.
Maybe then you will get the point I was making. It's irresponsible to write about the issue now. And if you plan on starting to cover the subject you will need to buy more ink.
There is plenty of corruption in Albany that JJOKE ignores, plenty of lobby law violations that everyone tolerates, plenty of per diem and expense abuse that you can't seem to focus on. And I get it everyone wants to read about the sex. The media is more than happy to become a home for the ethical voyeurs.
So just think of me as an ethics tease. Enjoy the hunt or go take a cold shower.
UPDATE The blog is receiving more traffic more quickly as a result of this story than anything I've ever written. What does that say about media coverage of ethics in Albany? Thankyou goes out to Capital Tonight and the Times Union for linking their stories to my story. How long will it take for those in the media to get the point of my comment and my manipulation of their instinct to be defensive? If any of you folks in the media want me on your show to talk about the media's role in Albany's ethical morass I'm ready willing and able. If you want me to name names save yourself the trouble and do a google search. And Casey this is for you , , ' : ; ! ,. Being able to punctuate properly doesn't make you more relevant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)