Please do not molest or throw missiles at animals in New York City Parks

The State of the State is yet another Albany lawmaker getting arrested.

Blame this guy.

That's a good thing, of course. Albany is terrible.
I mean, remember that time when Albany wanted to ban anonymous comments?

TROLOLOL. Anyway, Can Internet comments be saved? No comment. 

That post, btw, has a pretty awesome ~print~ letter to the editor from a long time ago. Good times.  And yes, it was pretty awkward when animal people thought I didn't like cats. Here's why.

So, in case we're not clear: Please do not molest or "throw missiles at" animals in New York City parks because that's very specifically spelled out as being against the law, but don't do it in other places either, OK?

Writing that felt weird. Don't make me write weird things.

You know what's also weird? Penn Station.

the mta literally never saw this coming #newyork #mta #commute #morning #tooliteral #pennstation #peopleofpennstation #onlyinnewyork #credit @mashable

A photo posted by peopleofpennstation (@peopleofpennstation) on Jan 21, 2015 at 4:55am PST

Another weirdish New York thing is the State Department of Environmental Protection, pretty much telling artists: "OHAI could you get rid of this driftwood from the Ashokan Reservoir pretty please?" It's reclaimed!
No? you don't want it? What kind of Hudson Valley or Catskills resident are you, anyway?

I recognize that most of this post is related to New York State. So, if you're one of the lovely subscribers from the West Coast or elsewhere, here's an explainer of the state of New York in the form of a drunk plane.

One cat: Since we're into explainers.

EXPLAINER @kangarara @SaraMorrison pic.twitter.com/gQkhJjp3nH
— Digital First cat (@DFNewsCat) April 22, 2014

One Google Glass photo: Ashokan Reservoir panorama, sans driftwood.

Yesterday's Internet, Today! is a thing in which I throw in a bunch of links I tweeted, faved or saw the day before or in the morning. You also get a cat and a Google Glass photo.

New York state news, from Taiwan, animated

Although now an accurate representation of events, this is what happens when News Goes Wild!

How New York State Legislature members spend your money for stuff, for them, to do stuff, which they should do, because that's a lot of money (boring!)

It's a well known paradox: we hate getting taxed in the state, but we love our legislators for bringing the pork home. But how much do they spend on office operations, like travel, mail, long distance calls, personal service (?), and, uh, stuff?

Well, here is a little informative chart that should help you decide in November which way you might want to go, as I'm told that our role in journalism is to communicate to our audience valuable information so they can make informed decisions.

CRAZY TALK!

Anyway, here's the chart, courtesy of The Empire Center's seethroughny.net, as first reported by the awesome Celeste Diaz of the New York Daily News.

Legislative Expenditures 10.09-3.10 Release2

If you are too lazy to break down your local white dude in office (yes, all our representatives are white men), here's a breakdown, from Oct. 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010.

State Senate:

* John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope (we hope). $396.115, ranking 21 out of 65 big spenders, I mean, state senators.
* Steven Saland: R-Poughkeepsie. $377,244, ranking 27.
* James Seward, R-Oneonta. $352,177, ranking 38
* Bill Larkin, R-Cornwall, $338,820 , ranking 49

The biggest offender? Pride of the State Senate Pedro Spada, who likes to switch parties, sushi, and get in trouble with ethics and the law, which is why he is their leader. I wish I was joking.

State Assembly:

* Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston. $219,349, ranking 32 out of 152.
* Joel Miller, R-Poughkeepsie,  $153,175, ranking 83.
* Frank Starkados, D-Milton. $142,156, ranking 106
* Clifford Crouch, R-Guilford. $135,604, ranking 116
* Marc Molinaro, R-Red Hook. $133,186, ranking 123
* Peter Lopez, R-Schoharie. $113,674, ranking 145.

More detailed reports, including pork, are also available.

Assemblyman Marc Molinaro responds to insensitive column by mean writer

RE: "How New York works: It doesn't"

I read with interest today's column regarding the state legislature. While I cannot defend anyone else's actions, having decided to engage in public service as an eighteen year old and learning so much from the people I served, I can only assure you and your readers that I remain as committed as ever to the much needed reforms advocated for by so many, including the Brennan Center. I have pledged support, voted for and sponsored legislation meant to overhaul state government, require fiscal discipline and provide transparency and public access.

While, admittedly, you didn't "name names," when one lumps all legislators together and paints even the reform minded members with the same brush, damage is done. When someone like yourself levels such a stereotypical charge the efforts of those reform-minded public servants are diminished.

I am not one for pointing to self-serving accolades... but those organizations that so actively pursue reform in Albany are doing good work, have acknowledged my commitment and I proudly stand with them on behalf of those I serve.

Thank you for reading and keeping the dialogue open.

MJM

Marcus J. Molinaro
NYS Assembly
103rd district

Blogs and animals

* Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach talks about the "BUG PURPLE campaign," as highlighted by this bad Photoshop job.



* At The Farmer's Market gives you a recipe for delicious dead shrimp.

* These animals don't want you to smoke. I'm not criticizing the merits or faults of the new $1.60 tax on (cigarette) butts, but the inability of state lawmakers (also known as "butts") to pass a budget in time.

* In a post about food, new Freeman featured blogger Lagusta Yearwood reveals that Tasmanian devils do run in circles.

Well, that's all folks.

When Tweeters tweet, the world still doesn't care

Tweets from around the Mid-Hudson Valley:

* Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay makes an important promise to his constituents, which has to do with moving furniture.

Okay...I vow...never to change my home office around again....ever..less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

* Chickens: the new tomatoes.

In my town, backyard chickens are the new tomato plants. Everyone seems to be growing their own! #HudsonValleyless than a minute ago via webLeslie Coons
LeslieCoons

* Marist College has a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, but it won't tell you what it is.

BIG announcement will be made at these events that will impact HS Class of 2011 and beyond.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckMarist College
Marist

* The New York State Senate has live coverage of the New York State Senate not passing the late budget.

Joint hearing "From Battlegrounds to Classrooms" happening now. Details & live video here:http://bit.ly/bhDtZp #Education #Veteransless than a minute ago via TweetDeckNew York Senate
NYSenate

* Assemblyman Marc Molinaro is an angry man.

Back to Albany... I share your anger. http://bit.ly/cEhssfless than a minute ago via FacebookMarc Molinaro
marcmolinaro

* Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders comes to the area:

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders will be playing a live show with her new band at the farm Saturday 5/29! http://bit.ly/aObNOsless than a minute ago via webWoodstockFarm
WoodstockFarm

Wait! Did I just learn something on Twitter?

Twitterverse, politics edition

* Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay works very hard for his constituents.

...mmmm a nap may be in order...less than a minute ago via webTom Hoffay
tomhoffay

* State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro tweet like Bob Dole speaks:

"Marc Molinaro has been a real friend to farmers. He understands the difficulties we face and is always there to... http://bit.ly/cg2oNyless than a minute ago via FacebookMarc Molinaro
marcmolinaro

* Ulster County legislator Michael Madsen thinks Jay Leno is funny.

The market was so bad today that Goldman Sachs had to lay off three congressmen."---Jay Lenoless than a minute ago via webMike Madsen
UlsterMadness

* The New York State Senate would like to remind you of many things, minus the state budget - late for more than a month.

#NY's volunteer #firefighters and #ambulance workers now qualify for more affordable health insurance: http://bit.ly/9aIHlDless than a minute ago via TweetDeckNew York Senate
NYSenate

* Karl Rove hates polls.

Let's get rid of exit polls. I hate 'em. http://bit.ly/cxRGm3 #TCOT #SGPless than a minute ago via HootSuiteKarl Rove
KarlRove

* Karl Rove loves polls.

Updated Map: 2010 Senate Races http://bit.ly/9lQd33 #TCOT #SGPless than a minute ago via HootSuiteKarl Rove
KarlRove

Siena Poll: Voters "angry"

09 July SNY Poll Release -- FINAL

Are men really better drivers than women?

Yes.

And no.

As mentioned in "Drivers need crash course on road safety," men are still more likely to pass the GMAC-led driving test than women, ... "but the gap is considerably smaller in 2009 (81 percent of males versus 79 percent of females) than in 2008 (87 percent of males versus 80 percent of females)."

Here's the catch, which GMAC conspicuously posted on another Web page:

"Factoring in margin for error, average test scores between the genders were similar (21 percent female versus 19 percent male)."

In other words, we are all bad drivers. Now please stop reading this and concentrate your eyes on the road.

Online class cuts insurance rates

As published in the Freeman, mention in "Drivers need crash course on road safety" and in case you missed it:

ALBANY (AP) — New Yorkers who shell out about $50 to take a leisurely trip down a cartoon road with just a few clicks of the mouse can end up shaving hundreds of dollars off some of the nation's highest car insurance premiums.

Under a program launched this month, New York joins 26 other states that offer online driving courses to reduce insurance costs and erase disciplinary points from licenses.

The online courses, which are allowed under state law, cost drivers about $50, but cost the state nothing. They provide a 10 percent annual discount on a driver's car insurance premiums, savings that last three years. Drivers can retake the course to sustain the discount.

States including California, Arizona, Texas and Florida also allow the program to be used to reduce insurance premiums.

It can be a badly needed break in a state with one of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. The cost of an insurance premium for New Yorkers varies based on a number of factors, including where the driver lives.

"In some parts of New York state, you're probably paying almost as much to insure a vehicle as you are to finance it," said John Corlett, a spokesman for AAA New York.

For married couples and families with children, the 10 percent discount applies to the additional premium cost of each person who takes the course.

Drivers who have points on their license can drop up to four points when they successfully complete the course. In New York, a drivers' license is suspended at 11 points.

The class deals with collision prevention, defensive driving techniques, aggressive driving, improper lane use and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

"Most of the people taking the course haven't gone through any formal driver education since they were 15 preparing to get their first drivers' license, and every year there's new laws," said Rick Hernandez, a partner for I DRIVE SAFELY, which offers one of the state approved online programs.

Their online course is self-paced, offering short text lessons and some animation, showing cars navigating along cartoon roads. The material is entirely multiple choice.

Online and in-class sessions are also available from American Safety Council, Inc. and the National Point and Insurance Reduction Course, Inc. The online classes cost more for the convenience. They vary by company, generally costing around $50, compared to $20 to $40 for classroom courses.

The online class is more flexible than the traditional six-hour classroom session, because students can complete it at their own pace, logging in and out within 30 days.

Once drivers complete the online course, the DMV is notified automatically, but individuals must inform their insurance company within 90 days to receive the discount.

"These programs are common in other states, and we felt that they would open up access to defensive driving courses for people who might have limited access to the in-person driving courses, either time wise or geographically," Corlett said.

About 650,000 New Yorkers completed the classroom courses last year, according to the DMV.


http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c32a.htm

http://www.AAA.com

Kingston brewery is best in state

Kingston's Keegan Ales was named as the best craft beer brewery in the state — and also of the Hudson Valley — during last weekend's Tap New York festival in Hunter.

The brewery at 20 St. James Street beat 46 other breweries in the competition.

Cheers!

Update: The brewery is having its traditional barbecue on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., followed by music by blues prodigy "Mojo" Myles Mancuso; a re-opening of an art exhibit by Paul "Dumb Won" Heath (of Dead Unicorn and we-won-a-free-car fame) on Saturday starting at 6 p.m., followed by music from Scott Weiss at 9 p.m.; and a super bluegrass extravaganza on Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m., featuring 11 bands, in a fundraiser for the cash-strapped Rosendale Street Festival. Suggested donation for the "big, bad, bluegrass fest" is $10.

These guys don't sleep, you see. Must be the Hurricane Kitty.

Half full and half empty

GOOD NEWS! Ulster County home sales surged 66 percent from February to March, The New York State Association of Realtors reported (the Realtors are happy prices went up, too).

BAD NEWS! The same number of home sales, 60, is down 40 percent from two years ago, where 101-single family homes were sold. 36 homes were sold in February.

Below are state numbers. You can spin them as much as you want.

NYSAR Monthly Housing Survey Existing Single-Family Homes Sold March 2007-2009 and February 2009

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Real Estate Business & Law march 20072009 new york state assoc

New York gun laws, BAM!

For those wondering where I've got the assault rifle description described in "New Yorkers have the right to be oppressed," the answer is the very helpful site of the Ulster County Sheriff's Office.

And for those who'd like to know, here are the gun laws for New York state, courtesy of the NRA-Institute for Legislative Action.

My description, if you noticed, quoted, almost verbatim, that of the document for assault weapons. I added the red color to add, ahem, color to my column (I like red).

New York State Gun Laws

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Business & Legal gun laws new york state

The NRA-Institute for Legislative Action has published a document, "What`s So Scary About Banning Assault Weapons?". (Their answer? Slippery slope).

I was going to make a joke about that. But then I thought it's probably better to avoid making fun of people who are really serious about wanting to have a semiautomatic rifle with a folding telescoping stock and with a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, which also has a flash suppresser, a bayonet mount and a grenade launcher, in red.

Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom

As seen on "New Yorkers have the right to be oppressed."

"Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom" by Jason Sorens and William P. Ruger, February 26, 2009

Freedom in the 50 States

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Academic Work studies social change projec