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| "From the fight for women's suffrage to the struggle for civil rights, New Yorkers have been on the right side of history. Indeed New Yorkers have made history. But on the issue of marriage equality, New York has fallen behind." -- Governor Andrew Cuomo Good Friday Morning, In an editorial this morning, the Poughkeepsie Journal joined the long and growing list of people, organizations and media outlets that have endorsed Marriage Equality in New York State. If you have done the same (and if you're reading you'd had better!) you need to call your State Senator and tell him to get on the bandwagon. There can be no fence-sitters when it comes to civil rights. Take five minutes *TODAY* and call The Senator Who Shall Not Be Named at: 845-279-3773 and tell him you support and endorse equal rights for all New Yorkers and that you expect him to do the same. If you've not yet called, now is the time. If you've called in the past, call again as a reminder. Where are your speculators now, huh? The price of gasoline has declined a nickel at my local GasMart. And one must wonder: we hear all this news about "speculators" but the moment the government announces it's going to investigate the price comes down? Here's what's really happening: The fossil fuel companies gouge the shit out of you to earn massive profits and everyone, from them to the talking heads to the government blames some outside, unseen force to deflect responsibility away from the gougers. And when the government thinks they've earned enough and the high prices begin to have a negative effect on the overall economy they let the companies know by saying, "We're going to investigate!" which is the signal to back off. Some Notes:
On Winding Down: Reader Tom V wrote: "I'm so sorry to see you cease publication but at least I got to enjoy a tiny bit of your unique journalistic insight. I always got up in the morning looking forward to what was on your mid each day. I did not always agree with your position but you always made me think and I truly enjoy folks, papers and books that can do that for me."Reader PV wrote: "Of course I read yesterday's edition with dismay. But then I realized maybe you are feeling the same way I am lately-- that I've been working my ass off for people who basically don't give a shit what happens to them."Well, for one, I'm not so sure people don't give a shit but they are afraid to put their necks on the line for real change. For another, publication is not ceasing it's just not continuing on in the way it has in the past, is all. A welcome break and change and a morph to No Country For Sane Men (repaired link) is essential for everyone involved, especially me! Sonar. But not the kind you're thinking of: From the Environmental Notice Bulletin: Gipsy Trail Club in Kent: To control the spread of the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, the applicant proposes to treat Pine Pond (Class B), including portions of the 100 foot adjacent areas of NYS Freshwater Wetlands LC-11 (Class II) and LC-12 (Class I) with the aquatic pesticides Sonar AS and Sonar One (active ingredient fluridone). Prior to treatment, Pine Pond will be lowered approximately 18 inches to ensure that chemically treated water is held within Pine Pond for as long as practicable prior to downstream release. NY/NJTC Hike of the Week: Charcoal Burners/Cabot/Perkins/Fahnestock Trail Loop This loop hike traverses the northern section of the park, passing by three scenic ponds, following an attractive stream and skirting several open fields. At the height of the Yellow Trail as it traverses the Perkins open space is the best view in all of Putnam County. You'll not want to miss that! What's Going On?
This Weekend:Friday, May 27Arts on the Lake Fundraising Reception
Uncommon Ground with guest Tim & Sylvia8:30PM at the Towne Crier, Route 22 in Pawling. Uncommon Ground is a hot, pan-genre, acoustic music group from New York's Hudson Valley that is on a mission: to flex the boundaries of traditional music. Since making an impressive debut to a full house at the Towne Crier in 2007, they have continued their evolution into "the complete package" ... great vocals, fiery instrumental abilities and a continually evolving repertoire of well-crafted tunes. Their music bears an unmistakable stamp of originality without losing the authenticity of the original sources. Audiences delight in the thrill of musical discovery as the band performs a repertoire that includes music from such diverse sources as Bill Monroe, Gabriel Faure, Venezuelan Choros and Gypsy Jazz. Uncommon Ground draws on the talents of Mike Kobetitsch, and Wayne Fugate, both long-time veterans of the Bluegrass scene who have performed with Grammy award winner, Lisa Gutkin and a host of other noteworthies; the ever amazing Rachel Han! dman and Phil Helm, two principles in the Hudson Valley Philharmonic whose technical precision, fertile inventiveness, surprising touches and mastery of the Bluegrass genre give the band a distinctive, signature voice; and Craig Bitterman, whose percussion lays down a groove-infused rhythmic foundation that adds colors and textures that make their tunes really snap. :|: artist's home. $17.50 advance/ $22.50 door Saturday, May 28Giant Book Sale at the Kent Public LibraryTake-A-Hike! Season Begins With The Birds of Foundry Preserve
Pow Wow on the Hudson11 AM - 6 PM. POWWOW ON THE HUDSON: Native American Indian drumming, dancing, food vendors, craft vendors, lectures and songs by Evan Pritchard (plus book signing), Salinas Family "Azteca Dancers", Joseph Fire Crow and Birds Of Prey. Learn sustainability from a 10,000 year old perspective. Bowdoin Park, 85 Sheafe Rd., Wappinger Falls. Tony Moonhawk (917) 415-5139. moonhawktitw@msn.com - Runs through Monday. Arts on the Lake Spring Art Exhibit
Sunday, May 29
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| Copyright © 2011 News That Matters | ||
Friday, May 27, 2011
News That Matters - Friday, May 27, 2011 - Things To Do Edition
Park on the north side of Route 301 about 1 mile east of Dennytown Road then proceed north on the red-blazed Charcoal Burners Trail (named for the men who felled trees in the area during the nineteenth century and carefully burned them to make charcoal). The trail briefly parallels the road, then bears left and heads into the woods. Soon, you’ll reach the eastern end of the yellow-blazed Perkins Trail, but you should continue ahead on the red-blazed Charcoal Burners Trail. The relatively level trail passes through thickets of mountain laurel, with an understory of blueberry bushes.
8:30 to 10:30am - Join Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary Director Eric Lind for this birding hike in Foundry Preserve in Cold Spring. An accomplished wildlife photographer, Eric is just the person you want along to share his knowledge as you walk from the village to view a wide variety of species. Don't forget your binoculars!
1 PM - 5PM - Over two hundred new works by forty artists will be on display in the 5th Annual Spring Art Exhibit, which conitnues through this weekend and Monday, 11PM - 5PM each day.
Ryder Farm Open House and Maypole Celebration
On Friday, June 3, 2011, representatives of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will meet at the trailhead for the Minisink Trail on Route 6 in Greenville to mark expansion of recreational trail opportunities in the region and the transfer to the state of 389 acres on the Shawangunk Ridge. The land is to be added to Huckleberry Ridge State Forest in Orange County. Following the 10am press event, take a hike on the Minisink and Lenape Ridge Trails in the company of experienced Trail Conference volunteers. (
Bear Mountain State Park: On June 4, the Trail Conference will open a wheelchair accessible section of the Appalachian Trail on the summit of Bear Mountain. For the past year, Trail Conference volunteers have been hard at work building this ADA-compliant segment of this historic and nationally celebrated long-distance trail. The trail will allow wheelchair users to enter the woods and view the Hudson River and Valley from one of the region’s most scenic spots. 
What's Happening When
11AM - 5PM- The OCWA is pleased to announce that the 4th Annual Earth and Water Festival will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, NY. This unique festival is family-friendly, intimate, educational and of course, lots of fun! Stay an hour or stay all day. Bring a blanket, the kids and even your dog and enjoy the fresh air, listen to live music and entertaining performances by highly talented local musicians and peformers. Visit the Green Expo area at the festival and learn from many local vendors how they are making a difference by being "green" or what sustainable goods and services they provide. Buy fresh homemade bread, baked goods, produce and plants in the Farmers Market. Let the kids run wild in the Children's Activity tent (big festival favorite). 
Maxwell Kofi Donkor and the Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensamble: Their african drumming and dancing is interactive, makes your feet tap and people dance, and puts a smile on everyone's face. Click here to visit their website 
Good Food:
Campout: $50 (Includes festival/BBQ admission and breakfast. Pre-registration is required. Just fill out and send in the form.)
Croton Point Park - Pete Seeger star Drive-By Truckers star Martin Sexton star Indigo Girls, Arlo Guthrie star Josh Ritter star Jorma Kaukonen star Peter Yarrow, John Sebastian star Janis Ian star The Low Anthem, Red Horse (Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka & Eliza Gilkyson) star The Klezmatics, Toubab Krewe star Justin Townes Earle star Chris, Smither star Joanne Shenandoah, Tom Chapin star Bernice Johnson Reagon star Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell, James McMurtry | Jay Ungar & Molly Mason | Jeffrey Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, Tao Seeger Band | Toshi Reagon & Big Lovely | Mike & Ruthy | Sarah Lee & Johnny, Bethany & Rufus' Roots Quartet | Clayfoot Strutters | Zlatne Uste | Joe Purdy, The Nields | The Kennedys | Jen Chapin | K.J. Denhert | Zon del Barrio, Vanaver Caravan| Buskin & Batteau | Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy, Brooklyn Qawwali Party | Joe D'urso | Joel Plaskett, Arm-of-the-Sea Theater star The Power of Song star The Rivertown Kids, Mustard's Retreat star Magpie star Roger the Jester star Dog on Fleas, Walkabout Clearwater Chorus star Paul Richmond star The Storycrafters, Rick Nestler star Donna Nestler star Travis Jeffrey star Margo Thunderbird, Marva Clark star Linda Richards star Eshu Bumpus star Dan Einbender, Dirty Stay Out Skifflers star Geoff Kaufman star Sarah Underhill star Peninnah Schram, Kay Olan/Ionataiewas star Mel & Vinnie star Karen Pillsworth star Gregorio Pedroza , Allan Aunapu star Jan Christensen star The New York Packet star Matt Turk star Hope Machine
July 21 - 24
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
News That Matters - Wednesday, May 25, 2011
| News That Matters Brought to you (Almost Daily) by PlanPutnam.Org Telling it like it is for 10 years and counting... | ||
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| Good Wednesday Morning, Folks, suck up all the news you can this issue because News That Matters is coming to an end, at least in its present format. After more than a decade of pounding out these columns it's long past time to give it a break. News That Matters has always gone beyond the "he said, she said" tradition and has spent the last decade telling the story of "why" and that's made you, the near-1000 readers of this little rag, better educated.
YOU were there, as readers, contributors and donors. There are enough local news sources now: What with the two Faux News papers book-ending the county, Philipstown.info taking a brave stand over there in Ailesland, the Examiner pushing up from the south, the Republican Press/Times making inroads in the center under Marty Collins, the new Pennysaver from Chase Media and the AOL/Patch news down there in Southeast, the county is pretty well covered. Oh, and we can't forget the NY Journal News from which I've been banned for years. That these other media outlets rarely ever examine why someone has taken a particular position is a terrible loss to the betterment of our communities. It furthers the decline of journalism both in broadcast and in print. Simply reporting what he said - and what she said - may be politically correct but it sustains two possible lies as fact on which you are then forced to rely to make decisions about issues. That's no way to run a modern society but it has become the American Way(tm) and you seem to like it. Grab the local newspaper of your choice and get their phone numbers and email addresses. Then make those papers take the up the responsibility of being journalists, not just mindless 'he said - she said' reporters. There's real news out there if they, like we have done, chose to cover it. And that's just the half of it. What we see at the local level is a tiny fragment of what's going on across this land. That the American media is controlled by corporations is stunningly obvious and that they play to the lowest common denominator is expected. Neither the corporations nor the political parties they control have any need for an intelligentsia and for people who ask, "why?" And they sideline, debase and ridicule anyone who dares to question the status quo - like we've been doing for years. Joe Sixpack is told to believe that it's okay for Exxon to earn $10.7 billion every 90 days. He's told that it's perfectly alright for a man to earn millions while his company victimizes the middle classes. He's told that those who cannot afford to see a doctor somehow deserve their position. He's told that raping our nation of its natural resources for immediate profit is a good thing. He's told that one day he will find the American Dream come true but only if he follows the rules and obeys his corporate and political The truth is, Joe doesn't believe a word of it; but there is the chance it's true and he's not going to miss out. And if in the end he doesn't find that dream, as most will surely not, then it's not the corporations' and politicians' or even his fault, it's the immigrants or the welfare queens or teachers or the unions or the pedophile down the street. And he makes himself believe it because the truth is too awful to consider: There is a vast, forced transfer of wealth from the lower classes to the rich that is unparalleled in human history and the American media is directly complicit and an active participant. You see, it's not alright for Exxon (and the others, mind you) to hold the national economy hostage. And it's not acceptable for a man to earn millions while his company forecloses thousands of properties putting his neighbors out on the street. And if you cannot afford health care it's because no one really can anymore. And it's not alright to leave our grandchildren a planet stripped of its natural resources. So why does the American media ignore all this? Well, for one... who owns them? And while we're there, who owns Congress. Don't you see the connection? Anyway... With the end of this vehicle someone else is going to have to wear the mantle of the only independent media outlet in the region and I wish them well. It is a thankless job. News That Matters will still be around as the transition is made so stay tuned, there is more coming, we're just winding down. In the meantime, look for "No Country For Sane Men: One Man's Journey Into the Mind of America", coming to a computer screen near you soon. It will be no less irreverent, maddening, infuriating and educational. Just different. Subscription links are here: Action AlertHelp Secure Marriage Equality in New York State
New York bar groups endorse same-sex marriage billNEW YORK, May 17 (Reuters) - Representatives of more than 20 bar associations made a legal case for passing same-sex marriage legislation in New York on Tuesday, arguing that anything less than full marriage equality relegates same-sex couples to second-class status. The announcement comes as a growing number of political figures, business leaders and celebrities are stumping for a same-sex marriage bill in Albany before the end of the current legislative session on June 20. As part of that push, the bar groups -- ranging from the New York State Bar Association, which represents 77,000 attorneys, to the Metropolitan Black Bar Association -- endorsed a bill introduced recently by Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell that would grant civil marriage rights to same-sex couples. "We think the time is right in Albany for consideration of this in the legislature," said Samuel Seymour, president of the New York City Bar Association and a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell. "We can't predict the outcome, but we're here to do what we can to make it happen." SHARED GOALSThe groups share their goal with Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has made passage of a same-sex marriage bill one of his top priorities in the current session, despite uncertain support in the Republican-controlled Senate. A bill similar to Assemblyman O'Donnell's passed the Assembly in 2009, but fell short in the Senate. Adding to the uncertainty, the bar groups contend, is a pair of New York Court of Appeals decisions that has left same-sex couples in legal limbo. In a 2006 decision, Hernandez v. Robles, the court found no statutory right to same-sex marriage. But in 2008, it ruled in Martinez v. City of Munroe that same-sex couples legally married in foreign jurisdictions were entitled to have their unions recognized in New York. The result, according to State Bar Association president Stephen Younger, a partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, is that "you can be married in New York, you just can't get married in New York." Without a legislative change, the groups said Tuesday, there is a risk of increased litigation, as well as regulatory and legislative confusion as courts, employers and others attempt to navigate the legal patchwork of state and federal marriage and civil-union laws. Currently in New York, unmarried same-sex couples are denied at least 1,324 legal rights and duties afforded to heterosexual couples, including spousal privilege, inheritance rights and child custody, according to a report from the city bar association. Legalizing only civil unions would not solve the problem, they argued, pointing to states such as Vermont and New Jersey, where they say legalized civil unions are poorly understood and erratically recognized. And if the federal Defense of Marriage Act is ultimately overturned, couples in civil unions would miss out on the legal rights marriage confers, they added. GALVANIZING SUPPORTCurrently, five states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage, as do ten countries, including Canada. Although the state bar association has been hesitant in the past to speak out on such a politically charged issue, Younger said the tide has turned among the state bar's diverse membership, mirroring steadily increasing public support for marriage equality. A poll released this month by the Pew Research Center found 45 percent of Americans now support gay marriage, up from 35 percent in April 2009. "It's time to galvanize that support," Younger said. In addition to state and city bar associations, a number of bar groups representing minority groups were on hand to offer their endorsements, including the Hispanic National Bar Association, the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York and the Puerto Rican Bar Association. Adeel Mangi, director of the Muslim Bar Association of New York and a partner at Patterson Belknap, said that his group decided to support same-sex marriage to promote access for all to "fundamental civil rights" like marriage. "As lawyers, we believe strongly that this is a civil rights issue," Mangi said. Under the O'Donnell bill, religious officials would not be required to perform a same-sex marriage ceremony if they objected on moral grounds. Maggie Gallagher, chairman of the National Organization for Marriage, or NOM, which opposes same-sex marriage, said it was her group's position that it is up to state legislatures to define marriage. NOM is not opposed to legalizing civil unions, she added, although many same-sex opponents have rejected the idea. "It's not my position that it's okay to discriminate, but marriage isn't discrimination," Gallagher said. "It's okay to treat different relationships differently." (Reporting by Jessica Dye) |
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| Copyright © 2011 News That Matters | ||
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