Moreland Commission . . .

The New York Times has a lengthy -- but well worth reading -- article about the life and death of Governor Cuomo's "Moreland Commission."

After you read it, you may come to the conclusion that the Commission was created to be nothing more than a "tool" to be used, not to root out governmental corruption as advertised, but, rather, to intimidate opponents of the administration in power.

Gee . . . Where have we heard that before?

It's a . . . . Permit!

Finally, after more than 10 years the Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit for the Marcy Chip-Fab . . . or should I say Marcy Nanocenter . . . site. Per the OD . . .

Cuomo said the news is an important step forward in his plans to make the Utica area a hub for nanoscale science research and manufacturing. 

“This new hub will recreate in Utica the success we have seen in Albany, with international investors taking note of innovation and development in Upstate New York,” he said in a release, referring to the successful nanotechnology sector that has developed in the Capitol Region. 

Let's hope so!

While we should be skeptical whether NY's venture into "state capitalism" a/k/a "public-private partnership" a/k/a "crony capitalism" will pan out into sustainable economic recovery, we can at least celebrate the end of a ridiculously convoluted process (thanks to the Federal Government) and, hopefully, the beginning of some accomplishment.

Not the Immigration of Old . . .

Mayor Stephanie Miner has opened Syracuse's doors to accept immigrant children from Central America who have illegally entered the country.  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse is standing by, ready to help. While they may be commended for wanting to help children, is their compassion -- indeed, is America's compassion for helping the downtrodden -- being used against US?

In the decade following the 9/11/01 attacks -- during the alleged "War on Terror" -- it made no sense that our southern border was never sealed. It made no sense that Mexico, the US' supposed ally and trading partner, would facilitate illegal immigration by publishing a pamphlet in comic book style on "how to" best do it. It made no sense that the US tolerated actions by the Mexican government and Mexican government officials that would undermine US interests and sovereignty.

The nonsense has only gotten worse.

We are told that "coyotes" are paid $8,000 to $12,000 a head to smuggle people in. A person with a good job in Mexico, such as an auto worker, makes $20 A DAY. $10,000 would represent about 2 years' work.  It would be more difficult for people in the poorer countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to amass this sum.

Where is the money coming from?

Why should it be so expensive to go, perhaps, 1,500 miles, when airline tickets (not to mention bus tickets) are cheap?

Why are parents willing to let their children go on such a journey?  Or are they?

Why has Mexico entered into an agreement with Guatemala giving Guatemalans 72 hours in Mexico to facilitate travel to the US?                                                                                                                          
Utilizing a law designed to oppose human trafficking, the taxpayer now, somehow, is required to afford these children a hearing.  A hearing on what?

Somehow the taxpayer is now expected to pay to "reunite" these children with loved ones.  With who? The family that placed them in harm's way?

US citizens have to show all sorts of ID to be allowed on a plane, but these illegals merely have to show a copy of their letter to appear in court?

There is so much here that makes no sense . . . unless you open yourself to the possibility that this has all been planned.

Allen West has posted a disturbing interview with a former Border Patrol agent Zack Taylor who says that the immigrant surge bears the hallmarks of "asymetrical warfare" -- which seeks to destroy the infrastructure of a nation from within. It is well worth the 15 minutes watch time.

Whether you agree with Mr. Taylor or not, one thing is clear . . .

The immigration we see now across our southern border is not the immigration of old.

 
  

  

Now It Makes Sense!

OD: State: Extended school day mandatory.  Now the 90% participation rate grant requirement for the schools proposed for extended hours makes sense. Attendance will be compulsory. A 90% participation rate could never be achieved on a voluntary basis.

Students need unstructured time to explore their own interests, and non-school time for various activities like sports or scouts, a part-time job (eg. delivering papers or in the family business), or volunteer activities.  Parents need time to develop their own relationships with their children and inculcate their values.

More time in compulsory education means less time for families and individuals.

This is a step toward longer school days for everyone. . . more government dependency (school breakfast, lunch and now dinner?  School health clinics.  School babysitting.)  In short: more government control over the population.  

Enough already! 

EFC & Tappan Zee Update

Following up on Sunday's post, the Public Authorities Board has decided to give the Thruway Authority half a loaf (a $255M loan) -- this year -- and Thruway will be allowed to apply for the remainder in 2016.

This sets the unfortunate precedent that a funding source intended to aid communities in dealing with wastewater issues can be used to construct a new bridge .

. . . Just more of the same old same old in the "new" New York.

Biting Off More Than It Can Chew?

Per the OD Utica Schools are asking for a year before implementing a longer school day at select schools. Originally this was going to be started this fall on a voluntary basis.  What happened?

The hope is that longer days might lead to higher test scores. But in order to receive the full $4.1 million, the district must have 90 percent student participation in the voluntary program.

90% student participation?  Is there 90% student participation in the compulsory (regular school) program as opposed to a "voluntary" program?

Let's face it, the students who need "extra help" the most are probably the same ones who think school is a waste of time because they get little out of it.  Why would they volunteer for more of the same?

A compulsory extended-day program would only "trap" such students, lead to behavior problems, and, perhaps, deprive them of time for other (non-school) activities, such as a part-time job, that might be of bigger benefit to them in the long run.

Rather than extended time, the school district should explore how it can make better use of the time that it already has. There is more to education than going after grant money.

EFC & Tappan Zee: A Misuse of Funds

In a story little noticed west of Albany, but which involves two Syracuse-area politicians, the state's arm for financing municipal waste water and drinking water projects, the State Environmental Facilities Corp., approved on June 16th a $ 511 Million loan to the Thruway Authority toward the Authority's $4 Billion re-do of the Tappan Zee Bridge ("The New New York Bridge").

Per the Times Union, EFC President (and former Syracuse Mayor) "Matthew Driscoll said $511.4 million from the state Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund will be loaned to the Thruway Authority to pay for work including disassembly and removal of the existing 59-year-old bridge and dredging of the river bottom at the new bridge site."

But the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRLF) "provides low-interest rate financing to municipalities to construct water quality protection projects such as sewers and wastewater treatment facilities" . . . which sure does not sound like "disassembly and removal"of a bridge!

Environmentalists are blasting the proposal. Water quality experts are up-in-arms and filing objections. Riverkeeper has posted a letter from the US EPA's regional office raising several questions about the proposal.

While some may dismiss this as a "downstate" issue, WE should be concerned.  

Both Oneida County and the City of Utica are relying upon CWSRLF funding in carrying out their obligations to clean up the Mohawk River under a Consent Order and Long Term Control Plan -- over $300 million-worth of projects!  This is an extreme burden on local sewer users who need every penny of relief that the loan fund can provide.

Years ago older municipalities with combined sanitary-storm water sewers (such as Utica) were given a reprieve from the stringent requirements of the Clean Water Act because, if imposed at once, they would have caused financial ruin. However, the plan was that over time, these communities would be brought into compliance.  Low cost loans were part of that plan.  Most older communities (both upstate and downstate) have infrastructure that needs to be upgraded under the law.

This loan is not for a wastewater system upgrade.  Rather, it is being used to keep tolls low... which only benefits the downstate region.    

The money needs to be reserved and kept available for its intended purpose, to relieve municipalities all over the state of some of the burden of complying with the Clean Water Act.

The 3-member Public Authorities Control Board still must approve of this loan by a unanimous vote before it can be implemented. Only one member, State Senator John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, has publicly raised questions about the loan. 

The loan comes up for a vote this Wednesday.  Stay tuned!

The Griffiss Albatross . . .

Per the Rome Daily Sentinel, MidAir USA, one of the aircraft maintenance companies at Griffiss "International" Airport, owes Oneida County almost $450,000 in back rent and other charges! With a base rent of about $50,000/month, the tenant is roughly 9 months behind.  While O.C. legal counsel sent a letter demanding payment, neither a deadline nor consequences were mentioned.

Of course not.  Having sunk well over $100 million of taxpayers' funds into the Airport, the County doesn't dare risk MidAir's 210 jobs by taking specific action. . . So taxpayers are held hostage. 

$450,000 spread over 210 employees means that the taxpayer has loaned the company (in violation of the State Constitution, B.T.W, but no one pays attention to that anymore) almost $2150 per job!

Add to this the value of the money spent constructing and maintaining the County Owned facilities being occupied, one has to wonder just what the taxpayer is getting for all this spending?  The last we heard, the airport was losing over a $million a year (which undoubtedly did not include the time-value of the millions already spent on facilities).

Do the County Taxes paid by the holders of taxpayer-subsidized jobs make up for the costs? When will taxpayers be provided with the true costs and returns on their airport "investments?"

If I'm wrong, please correct me, but Griffiss "International" Airport seems to have become an over-sized albatross hung around O.C. taxpayers' necks.  I'm tired of paying and waiting for the next "big thing" (drones?) that supposedly will make the spending all worthwhile.

--oo--OOO--oo--

In another vein but related, it is disappointing to constantly have to turn to the Sentinel for County news.  I like the Sentinel --  it is a good newspaper -- but because I live in the Utica area rather than Rome, I tend to check the Utica news more often and sometimes miss County news in the Sentinel.

The Utica paper just got a  new publisher who is interested in listening to people's suggestions for improvements.  Here is mine:  We need more County news, particularly the activities (shenanigans?) of the County Legislature.  Utica is the County Seat, and Greater Utica pays the bulk of the taxes that keeps the County -- including Griffiss "International"Airport  -- going.  Greater Uticans want to know how their County tax dollars are spent, and what they are getting in return.

Threats to Freedom . . .

Seemingly escaping the mainstream media (except FOX of course) comes the story: EPA claims it has the power to garnish wages without court approval. The process is called "Administrative Wage Garnishment" -- because it is being done by an administrative agency.

This is only the latest step is what has been brewing for a long time (decades)  . . . indirectly abolishing the three branches of government under the guise of administrative agencies.

Another recent phenomenon is the militarization of government agencies with SWAT teams, as written about in the National Review.

Big problems are in store for us when government agencies can act as lawmakers, judges, juries, and executioners.

If you have not been a long time reader of Fault Lines, please read  this post from 2009 where it is all explained: The Ominous 4th Branch of Government.

Time to Impeach?

In a Breitbart exclusive: Sarah Palin: It's time to impeach President Obama

Without borders, there is no nation. Obama knows this. Opening our borders to a flood of illegal immigrants is deliberate. This is his fundamental transformation of America. It’s the only promise he has kept. . . . 

Palin powerfully summarizes why the border crisis is the tipping-point of this presidency.

Do people care?

Getting Closer . . .

A few days ago, we noted that the Federal Government was looking at sites in Buffalo and Rochester to house illegal immigrants.   Now Capitol Confidential reports that a location in Albany is being considered as a "potential refugee relocation" site for housing some of the thousands of children from Central America illegally pouring over our southern border.

Breitbart posts a video revealing that many illegal immigrants are given, at OUR cost,  bus tickets to the interior of our country.

How is this not ENCOURAGING more to come?

This is a crisis that has been created by our own government for the purpose of justifying congressional or executive action to somehow legalize what is happening for political reasons.

We don't need "immigration reform," we need enforcement of our existing laws!

Ultimately we will bear the cost of all this.

Fracking: Bad News and Good News -- At the Same Time!

The New York State Court of Appeals has upheld Home Rule when it comes to municipalities being able to ban hydrofracking.

The bad news is that it becomes more difficult for companies to hydrofrack in NYS . . . more difficult for NYS to obtain the economic benefits of same . . . and more difficult for the country to achieve energy independence from some not-so-nice countries in the Middle East.

The good news is that the governments closest to the people, local municipalities, can act to protect the interests of their citizens.  And isn't that why we have government, to protect our well being?

Read the complete decision here.

Running Gov't Like a Business??

New York Workers Get Extended Lunch Break to Watch Team USA 

Not sure that many of our NYS civil servants actually took advantage of this "perk" -- but it is troubling how it was handed out.

NY-22: A Post Mortem: 47% are Not Extremists . . .

The results in the NY-22 Republican primary are in and Mr. Hanna has won the right to continue to call himself a Republican.  Mr. Hanna's views, thus, represent the direction that the majority of Republicans want to move their party in.

The Republican machine was out there in full force for the incumbent. The barrage of negative ads, and the lack of a one-on-one debate, were calculated to keep the focus on the personalities and avoid the issues.  The calculations and hate speech worked -- and the majority of Republicans were OK with it. 

One would like to say that as Republicans we should now all come together for the good of the party and the good of the country.  But after a campaign such as this one, how is that possible?

47% is almost half --  a number of voters that cannot rationally be regarded as "extremist" - but that is what Mr. Hanna has called us ... and listening to Mr. Hanna's declaration of victory last night, I heard no reaching out to us. 

Mr. Hanna can no longer be called RINO. He represents the direction of the party.  Given the general failure of "Tea Party" candidates nationally (excluding Texas and excluding the aberration of Cantor's loss caused by Democrats voting in the primary) , and Mitch McConnell's declared war on the Tea Party,  constitutional conservatives apparently are no longer welcome in the Republican "Big Tent."

So what are constitutional conservatives to do?  The Tea Party needs to think long and hard about what is next.  Tea Party issues are not seriously considered, and Tea Partiers are dismissed as [racists, extremists, fringe -- you fill in the blank].  

Organization is the key to getting our issues discussed -- and to countering the negative stereotyping propagated by the mainstream media.

The time has come for Tea Party oriented individuals to seriously consider forming a Third Party to get that organization. 

While this will likely ensure that Democrats will be elected for a time, to quote Hillary Clinton, "What difference does it make?" when the difference between Republicans and Democrats has become harder and harder to discern?   

   

Bretbart: Hanna, in Primary Battle, Supports Amnesty

On Bretbart: Hanna, in Primary Battle, Supports Amnesty

"Why would we want to make criminals out of dairy farmers simply because they want to run their business, when we know there are people available to do the work," he said. "It's important that New Yorkers find a legal way to help people come here, do the work they want to do, know who they are, where they are how they contribute, what they cost, have a way to find those people and if necessary send them back," said Hanna. "But our process today is out of control." 

The New York Republican believes that foreign immigrants do not take American jobs. 

"Much immigrant labor is highly skilled and thus presumably not differentiated," he told The Washington Post. "Why would wage competition not incur in the labor market?" 

Utica, which serves as a large chunk of Hanna’s district is among the top ten cities in the state with a current unemployment rate of 6.4 percent or above. That number once skyrocketed to 10.5 percent in 2012.

Mr. Hanna fails to see why immigrant labor is needed on local dairy farms while the region has a sustained high unemployment rate:  It is easier to sit home and collect welfare than work on a farm.

There is a lot more in the Breitbart article about Mr. Hanna and our local area.  Please read.

Refugee Camps . . . Coming to Facilities Near US?

If you think that we won't be affected by the border crisis, better think again.  The Blaze and the Buffalo News report that the Feds have been scouting hotels in Grand Island (near Buffalo) and Rochester to house the overwhelming number of children from Central America that crossed the border illegally without their parents.

Why New York State? The word is out that NY wants illegals.  Per news reports last week New York State is considering one-upping the Federal Government and rolling out the "Welcome Mat"  with a "New York is Home Act" that would grant all sorts of State Benefits to illegals.

If the Feds are looking at Buffalo and Rochester, how long will it be before the Feds cast their eyes a mere 150 miles east to Utica-Rome with its "International"Airport that is hardly used, shuttered prisons and other empty state facilities, reputation for welcoming (legal) immigrants, and a bevy of politically connected cronies who will jump at the chance to make a quick buck on the backs of the taxpayers?

Our immigration policy is in shambles BECAUSE THE LAW IS NOT ENFORCED. The Federal Government has failed us and both political parties have failed us.  They are all acting on behalf of special interests and not for the benefit of individual citizens and taxpayers.

Keep that in mind the next time you vote.

My Take on NY 22 ...

We are hearing lots of radio ads and TV ads, and our mailboxes are inundated with campaign literature -- mostly negative material on behalf of the incumbent with little substance on his record.

Mr. Hanna's claims of being fiscally conservative and wanting to reign in federal spending are belied by his votes to raise the debt ceiling several times and his proposal of an expensive new Federal Pre-K program. But it gets much worse.

Last Tuesday he voted against an amendment that would have cut off Section 8 housing for those in the country illegally -- perpetuating federal benefits that have attracted illegal immigrants and contributed to the humanitarian crisis now on our southern border.

Mr. Hanna advocated for more visas for foreign workers with technical degrees at a time when the number of our technical graduates far exceeds the job supply.  This deprives Americans of jobs.

Mr. Hanna approved of several "free trade" agreements that caused the loss of local jobs to foreign countries (see Revere's Mr. O'Shaughnessy's Paid Ad on p 5A of Sunday's OD).

Although Mr. Hanna claimed in yesterday's OD  that he is "not negative to people" he routinely mocks those that disagree with him.   Just last year Oneida Dispatch documented how Mr. Hanna behaved condescendingly to a 4th Grader who expressed concern over the National Debt. A 4th Grader!

Mr. Hanna's negative mindset becomes dangerous when he lets his ideology impede communication with colleagues. Mr. Hanna called fellow Republican Rep. Michele Bachman an "extremist" for questioning how the daughter and sister of Muslim Brotherhood operatives (Houma Abedin) became the top assistant to our Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton).  Not only did Mr. Hanna disrespect a fellow Member of Congress, he displayed a naivete that risks our national security.

With such a record is it any wonder why Mr. Hanna smears his opponent with lies while denying the public a debate that would allow the voters to discern who the real liar is.

Ms. Tenney has earned in the Assembly a reputation as a tenacious, no-nonsense conservative who stands for smaller, limited government and lower taxes.  Ms. Tenney articulates with passion the founding principles of our nation that guide her.

I believe it is time we get our government "back to the basics" that our Founders intended, and get it out of trying to run our everyday lives.  That is why I am supporting Claudia Tenney for NY-22.  

Hanna Favors Welfare Benefits for Illegals . . .

This is an example of why many people don't believe Mr. Hanna when he calls himself "conservative," and asks for "fiscal responsibility." Via Breitbart: HOROWITZ: FORGET AMNESTY, CONGRESS VOTED TO GIVE WELFARE TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

On Tuesday, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) offered an amendment to the FY 2015 Transportation-HUD appropriations bill (H.R. 4745) to cut off Section 8 housing for those here in the country illegally. . . . Amazingly, 70 Republican House members joined with almost every Democrat to defeat Gohmert’s amendment.

Not so amazing, Mr. Hanna was among the 70 "RINOs"  who think it's OK for the US taxpayer to subsidize housing for illegals.  No wonder why we now have a full fledged humanitarian crisis at our southern border . . . likely to be followed by a health crisis . . . and even a security crisis.

The actions of Rep. Hanna and his ilk give incentive for people to flood our border and illegally cross.

This lunacy must be stopped.

Michelle Malkin is Right Again . . .

Conservative nationally syndicated writer and frequent talk-show guest Michelle Malkin usually gets it right . . . and she did it again today in this article in National Review Online: Laughable Lies of Liberal Republicans.

"How do you spell “sidesplitting chutzpah”? In New York’s 22nd congressional district, it’s spelled: R-I-C-H-A-R-D H-A-N-N-A. He’s the liberal GOP incumbent trying to cling to public office by smearing the Marine mom, small-business owner, lawyer, and conservative state assemblywoman poised to take his seat next week.

Claudia Tenney is as rock-solid a Republican as they come: pro-life, pro-limited government, pro–Second Amendment, pro-entrepreneur, pro–American worker. . . ."

Malkin then proceeds to dismember Hanna and his special-interest backers while highlighting Tenny's efforts for the common citizen. . . . A succinct summary of all that is at stake in the NY-22 race in a very entertaining read.

"The Special Interests Are Mighty Desperate" . . .

That's the thought that went through my mind as I heard 3 attack ads in a row on the radio yesterday against Ms. Tenney during lunchtime . . . repeated again at dinnertime.

Perhaps these will be effective elsewhere, but in this part of the 22nd district -- unless you've been asleep -- Ms. Tenney's reputation as a "no-nonsense" conservative and Mr. Hanna's reputation as a man who regularly trashes his own party are pretty well established.

There's the Wall St./pro-gay rights America Unity PAC,  Oneida Indian Nation's Patriot's Prosperity PAC, and "establishment" Republican Main Street PAC: special interests hard at work, protecting their man.

What are they afraid of losing?  Money ...  and the power that it brings.

Let's face it, we often judge our congressional reps on the money they bring home.  In that regard Mr. Hanna has been rather typical and not much different from his two predecessors:  doling money out to various groups, government contracts to local businesses, and keeping DFAS in Rome. Republicans and Democrats both do similar nationwide, "horse trading" with each other to reach "deals" and, despite Congress' incredibly low approval ratings, managing to get re-elected because people don't want to risk losing their federal "lifelines."

The end result, of course, is mountains of Federal Debt and an Ever Expanding Federal Government that becomes ever more intrusive into our everyday lives, usurping the roles of state and local government and injecting itself into things as piddling as what we give our children for their school lunch.  No wonder so many Republicans and Democrats agree that NSA spying on us is "no big deal."

When someone like Claudia Tenney comes along to point out that our Constitution stands for a limited federal government -- now THIS IS A THREAT to Congress' slimey "business as usual" that must be crushed.  That is why there is so much "superpac" action on radio and TV now. The status quo must be kept in place.

It will be interesting to see whether the people who fear losing their "federal lifeline" will prevail.  If they do, they should not complain later when their rights, and the value of their savings and pensions, are eroded away.