Democracy: rest in peace

Democracy came to an end in New York City today, with the "Quinn 29" voting without a referendum to extend term limits. And New York City Council member Tony Avella got it right: the 29 members who voted--against the will of the city's voters--to extend term limits for New York City elected officials to three terms from two should be voted out of office. I will make my list, and then vigorously campaign against all of these unethical twits. My little vote can only go so far, so I will have to be creative, won't I! I think I may make that deadbeat Robert Jackson my pet project, for having the unmitigated gall to say: “Let’s have a backbone" (and not back down, presumably). He deserves a job stamping out license plates. No wonder he's hanging onto this one for dear life.

Thank you to the 22 council members who voted "no" to this subversive measure, including Jessica Lappin. Well done.

The billionaire mayor thinks we will forget all about it. Never will I forget this betrayal. And another thing: it stands to cost the city in so many ways. Starting with lifetime retiree health insurance that would cost the city up to $12,600 a year per council member, for any one who serves a third term. Which will amount to millions of dollars over the coming decades. Kind of stupid, isn't it?

Did you know: Tony Avella (D-Queens) introduced the measure to ban horse-drawn carriages; Council Speaker Christine Quinn has blocked it, along with every other piece of animal-friendly legislation that been introduced during her shameful tenure; virtually all council members line up behind Quinn, fearing retribution. No, the City Council is not a legislative body. Far from it. All back-room deals.

Quinn's version of leadership

Bad enough that we have an animal-hater at the helm of the City Council in Christine Quinn. Even more painful, taxpayers are being forced to pay for her $600-an-hour lawyer.
I can't believe this is New York City politics in the year 2008. Council Member Tony Avella is the only one with the guts to speak out against the lunacy of having taxpayers foot the bill for Quinn's lawyer. Quinn, the council at large, and the horse-drawn carriage industry--corruption piled on top of corruption.
Read "Lawyers for Counsel Seen As Departure" (The New York Sun, April 28, 2008)

Sola, perduta, abbandonata

An observation on the work horses' appearance
Could the horses from Central Park Carriages and the storied West Side Livery look any more pitiful and forlorn trudging up 10th Avenue? Probably not.
In late 2007, equine veterinarian Elizabeth Kilgallon looked at video that had been taken with a hidden camera for CBS 2 HD. Among her observations: some of the horses looked to be crammed into standing stalls so tight they can't turn around or lie down. She also noted the horses seemed to be standing in their own urine, manure, and on very little bedding. "I think the bare legal requirements have been met, but I don't think this is the best way for them to live," Dr. Kilgallon was quoted as saying after viewing the video.

Support a ban on horse-drawn carriages in NYC. Call your City Council member today.
What has City Council Speaker Christine Quinn done for horses, dogs, or cats lately, anyway?

Ed's note: There are many worse things that I could say about the one stable in particular, as readers well know. I took the high road here but may reconsider in the future. Rest in peace, Juliet.

Quinn's Mayoral Bid

Quinn controls a $60 billion budget ... big oops
The Associated Press tells us that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn's mayoral aspirations may be "complicated" by revelations that the council, under her leadership, allocated millions of dollars to fake organizations. These are said to include the Coalition for Informed Individuals, Friends of the High Line, and Senior Citizens for Equality. Nearly one-quarter of the money reportedly was allocated to organizations in her midtown district. The probe into the misappropriation of funds may lead to her political demise.

This is bad news for her beloved horse-drawn carriage industry, but good news for the rest of us.

Ms. Quinn received a score of "0" on the 2007 New York City Council Humane Scorecard published by the League of Humane Voters of New York City. This report looks at council members' voting records on animal protection issues. These not esoteric issues of little consequence to us all; rather these are issues that matter--such as pet-friendly housing and humane education in the schools. Needless to say, she supports the horse-drawn carriage industry. She has insider connections, you might say.

How Many Horses Have to Die?

No secret that I have had some fun at the expense of Council Member Jessica Lappin, who I'm told is responding to all constituents who have asked her to support a ban on horse-drawn carriages (Intro. 658/2007). She was endorsed for election in 2005 by the League of Humane Voters-NYC, and the following year she endorsed a humane education program. She also co-sponsored Tony Avella's important pets in housing bill.

I do hold out hope for Jessica Lappin on this matter. Let's face it, the political machinery of the NYC carriage industry is a truly scary thing. If you are new to this issue, trust me when I tell you that many in the carriage industry are abusive to the point that I fear them. However, in 2008 we have to look forward, not backward to the 19th century. The facts are incontrovertible: the horse-drawn carriage industry in New York City is inherently inhumane and cannot be made safer. How many horses have to die?

New York is one of the world's great cities. It is time to ban this inhumane industry.

Why a full ban? Learn more
Sign the petition to ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC

New York residents (5 boroughs): Ask your elected Council Member to support Intro. 658, the bill to ban horse-drawn carriages -- Find Your Council Member This is important! Constituents' opinions matter.

New York residents: Call the mayor's office at 311 and voice your support of Intro. 658

Non-New Yorkers: Tell the mayor's office that you don't want to visit New York until horse-drawn carriages are banned.
Email the mayor's office
Call the mayor's office at: 212-NEW-YORK (outside NYC)
Write the mayor:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Council Member Charles Barron Signs On

More Support For Intro. 658

City Councilman Charles Barron is the latest to sign on to co-sponsor Intro. 658, the bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. He joins Carmen Del Arroyo, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Miguel Martinez, Rosie Mendez, and Annabel Palma as current co-sponsors of the bill that was introduced by Tony Avella in December.

Your help is needed. Let your Council Member hear from you. Find Your Council Member
February 19, 20, and 21 are scheduled "Call-In Days"--make your voice heard!
The message: Support Intro. 658, the bill to ban horse-drawn carriages--because this is an industry that is inherently cruel and unsafe.