Please vote for these anti AY candidates

puca · September 2006

As everyone who's been following the news on the proposed Atlantic Yards project, you know that New York State says that this mega-development would not change our neighborhood!

If you think the proposed Atlantic Yards plan is WRONG for Prospect Heights, the best thing you can do to help stop it is to VOTE ON SEPTEMBER 12th. Why? Because three of the candidates have been fighting the Atlantic Yards proposal since it was first announced. They are:

Ã¢â‚¬Â¢Bill Batson, for New York State Assembly
Ã¢â‚¬Â¢Velmanette Montgomery, for New York State Senate
Ã¢â‚¬Â¢Chris Owens, for U.S. Congress (House of Representatives)

EVERY ONE OF THEIR OPPONENTS either supports the Atlantic Yards plan, or has done nothing to stop it! But Bill, Chris and Velmanette have proven time and again that they will FIGHT against this destructive proposal, and fight to give us a voice in how Prospect Heights is developed. In addition, these three candidates have long fought for jobs, affordable housing and additional resources for the public schools in our community.

RememberÃ¢â‚¬â€if the Atlantic Yards proposal is built, we will have to live with it FOREVER. Think about whether this is what you want. If itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not, and you are a registered Democrat, please VOTE on September 12th for BILL BATSON, VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY and CHRIS OWENS.

Thank you!

sje · September 2006

Thanks for this, Robert. I've tried to discover the candidates positions regarding Ratnerville, and have found it somewhat confusing or obscure. This is definitive info, and I appreciate it.

livetotravel · September 2006

Wild newspaper endorsements in the Congressional race . . .

New York Times- David Yassky
Brooklyn Papers - David Yassky
Our Time Press - Chris Owens
Amsterdam News - Chris Owens
New York Carib News - Yvette Clarke
Black Star News - Yvette Clarke
Jewish Press- Carl Andrews

and what has to be my favorite new rap song - Love is the Way -by Chris Owens - if this doesn't put him over the top nothing will

You can hear the song on Planet PLG -scroll dwon just past half way to the headline "Race for Congress Gets Kinda Weird"

http://www.planetplg.com/

alafairnadia · September 2006

what's yassky's position on AY?

qtrain · September 2006

More collected info at atlanticyardsvote.blogspot.com

carnivore · September 2006

alafairnadia wrote: what's yassky's position on AY?

His public statements are that it's too big and needs to be scaled down. He has not advocated stopping the project altogether.

Here are highlights from the debate between the candidates:
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=62071

And the NY Times endorsement of Yassky this week:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/30/opinion/30wed2.html

blackoyster · September 2006

i think Chris Owens needs to do an AY dancehall tune.

carnivore · September 2006

It's kind of interesting that much of Chris Owens' support comes from those opposed to the AY project, when he's running for an office where he'll have no impact on whether or to what extent the project gets implemented. It just seems like an odd basis to make your decision on. Now state and local level candidates are another story. There, it totally makes sense to consider the Atlantic Yards in your decision.

puca · September 2006

What: "Chris Rocks" - a free evening of music by and for Chris Owens

Where: Freddie's Bar and Backroom

485 Dean Street at Sixth Ave in Brooklyn

When: Saturday, September 2nd, 8 PM to 11 PM

Please join friends of the campaign this Saturday for a free evening of music with great local musicians (including Chris Owens!). Chris will be taking to the stage and performing his new (and much talked-about) release "Love is the Way" (listen here). The location is Freddie's, squarely in the footprint of Atlantic Yards. Come out to have a good time and show that this community is not ready to give up on our neighborhood!

We're all working very hard, so this is a great opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle before the heavy lifting continues. The real party will come on September 12th, when we celebrate our victory - but there's nothing wrong with a little practice run.

Performers:

8:30 Judy Gorman

9:15 The Organ Grinders

10:00 The Windsor Terrors

??? Chris Owens

We'll see you there!

- The Chris Owens campaign

P.S. The event is free, but, this being a campaign, contributions are always greatly appreciated. If you can't attend but would like to make a contribution, please click here.

puca · September 2006

By the way Chris can have a major impact in Congress on the abuse of eminent domain and AY won't get built without eminent domain

raulism · September 2006

I have always liked Chris Owens, and I have seen him around the neighborhood ever since I moved to my current place six years ago. But my feelings changed from being mildly impressed to being wildly impressed when we worked on the Norman Siegel campaign.

Norman Siegel is a civil rights law like civil rights lawyers should be. He ran for Public Advocate last year, and not a single elected official endorsed him, except Major Owens. Even though he was the right person for the job, only the brave public figures supported him. And Chris worked his butt off for the campaign.

And you may or may not care about the Atlantic Yards, but we need really strong advocates for civil rights in Washington. It's not just Republicans like Bush who think that the best way to defend the free world is by making us less free. Oh, I could wax philosophically on this, but my experience is that Chris passionately will support our freedoms, and we need those freedoms to keep us strong.

I have heard all the candidates at length, and I believe Chris will do the best job on this. In fact, he will rock Washington.

qtrain · September 2006

Livetotravel wrote: and what has to be my favorite new rap song - Love is the Way -by Chris Owens - if this doesn't put him over the top nothing will

I was not expecting the Bollywood twist.

marden · September 2006

Subject: ccorind go tmy chris owens spam

david yassky was going to have some big fundraiser last night, sponsored by one of the architects but the news got intercepted by some paper, the blurb:

Meanwhile, City Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights) came under fire
for nearly allowing controversial Brooklyn architect Robert Scarano to host a
fund-raiser for that was slated for last night. The event, to be held at Scarano's
DUMBO offices, was abruptly cancelled yesterday following calls from the Daily
News. (Daily News, August 30, 2006)

go go gadget daily news!

carnivore · September 2006

The race is incredibly close right now:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/02/nyregion/02brooklyn.html

livetotravel · September 2006

What I love about this race, as a political junkie, is that at it's heart it's pure grassroots. The outcome will be all about who gets out the votes - as the NYT says - block by block, door to door.

ratnerville4ever · September 2006

alafairnadia wrote: what's yassky's position on AY?

Flippity Floppity, for it in the end.

ratnerville4ever · September 2006

Carnivore wrote: It's kind of interesting that much of Chris Owens' support comes from those opposed to the AY project, when he's running for an office where he'll have no impact on whether or to what extent the project gets implemented. It just seems like an odd basis to make your decision on. Now state and local level candidates are another story. There, it totally makes sense to consider the Atlantic Yards in your decision.

Beg to differ. and this post explains it well

carnivore · September 2006

ratnerville4ever wrote: [quote=Carnivore]It's kind of interesting that much of Chris Owens' support comes from those opposed to the AY project, when he's running for an office where he'll have no impact on whether or to what extent the project gets implemented. It just seems like an odd basis to make your decision on. Now state and local level candidates are another story. There, it totally makes sense to consider the Atlantic Yards in your decision.

Beg to differ. and this post explains it well
That's quite a stretch. :roll:

ratnerville4ever · September 2006

Carnivore wrote: [quote=ratnerville4ever][quote=Carnivore]It's kind of interesting that much of Chris Owens' support comes from those opposed to the AY project, when he's running for an office where he'll have no impact on whether or to what extent the project gets implemented. It just seems like an odd basis to make your decision on. Now state and local level candidates are another story. There, it totally makes sense to consider the Atlantic Yards in your decision.

Beg to differ. and this post explains it well
That's quite a stretch. :roll:

so you say.

carnivore · September 2006

ratnerville4ever wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=ratnerville4ever][quote=Carnivore]It's kind of interesting that much of Chris Owens' support comes from those opposed to the AY project, when he's running for an office where he'll have no impact on whether or to what extent the project gets implemented. It just seems like an odd basis to make your decision on. Now state and local level candidates are another story. There, it totally makes sense to consider the Atlantic Yards in your decision.

Beg to differ. and this post explains it well
That's quite a stretch. :roll:

so you say.
Posting a bunch of bullshit links and soundbites isn't really an argument. I know you'll keep replying with little one-liners until you get the last word, but the fact is that you keep repeating the same pattern throughout regarding this issue. It's great that you've been fighting so hard against the Atlantic Yards, and I support you in that. However, you've become so focused on that one goal that you've lost sight of the big picture. You've repeatedly gone after people who have nothing to do with the Atlantic Yards, and who have no power over whether it gets completed, just because of some tenuous connection. You did it with your misguided call for a boycott against the Brooklyn Brewery, and you're doing it again against Yassky, a solid candidate who deserves better.
There's no question that Chris Owens is the candidate who is the most strongly against the Atlantic Yards, and is the most outspoken about it. No one in this thread has suggested otherwise. However, to suggest that there is some conspiracy between Yassky and Ratner, or that Yassky's election would have any impact on whether the Atlantic Yards is completed is misleading at best.
Supporting Batson to fight the AY project makes sense. Basing your decision in an election for a national office on this does not make sense. Chris Owens may still be the best candidate (although I don't think so), but if you think so, you should focus on telling us why that is, rather than a smear campaign against Yassky. It dilutes your message, and really works against what you're fighting for.

ratnerville4ever · September 2006

Carnivore wrote: [quote=ratnerville4ever][quote=Carnivore][quote=ratnerville4ever][quote=Carnivore]It's kind of interesting that much of Chris Owens' support comes from those opposed to the AY project, when he's running for an office where he'll have no impact on whether or to what extent the project gets implemented. It just seems like an odd basis to make your decision on. Now state and local level candidates are another story. There, it totally makes sense to consider the Atlantic Yards in your decision.

Beg to differ. and this post explains it well
That's quite a stretch. :roll:

so you say.
Posting a bunch of bullshit links and soundbites isn't really an argument. I know you'll keep replying with little one-liners until you get the last word, but the fact is that you keep repeating the same pattern throughout regarding this issue. It's great that you've been fighting so hard against the Atlantic Yards, and I support you in that. However, you've become so focused on that one goal that you've lost sight of the big picture. You've repeatedly gone after people who have nothing to do with the Atlantic Yards, and who have no power over whether it gets completed, just because of some tenuous connection. You did it with your misguided call for a boycott against the Brooklyn Brewery, and you're doing it again against Yassky, a solid candidate who deserves better.
There's no question that Chris Owens is the candidate who is the most strongly against the Atlantic Yards, and is the most outspoken about it. No one in this thread has suggested otherwise. However, to suggest that there is some conspiracy between Yassky and Ratner, or that Yassky's election would have any impact on whether the Atlantic Yards is completed is misleading at best.
Supporting Batson to fight the AY project makes sense. Basing your decision in an election for a national office on this does not make sense. Chris Owens may still be the best candidate (although I don't think so), but if you think so, you should focus on telling us why that is, rather than a smear campaign against Yassky. It dilutes your message, and really works against what you're fighting for.

I did all of that? wow.
Okay. Chris is not a flip flopper wind tester. He takes his positions and sticks with them, and I always agree with them. Yassky, i don't really know where he stands on anything. Clarke does not have the intellect to be in federal governemnt and Andrews is a big, thick cog in the Kings County Dem Machine who has somehow escaped indictment. He also is not of congressional caliber.

Owens is by far the smartest candidate (i've met them all privately so thats based on more than sound bite knowledge). he is the most principled and, for me this is important, he is NOT a professional career politician. Yes he is a politician but he is a grass roots guy and that matters to me. the others are purely out for their own advancement.

Yassky wants to wage war on Iran. He has said so. Yassky, Clarke, Andrews all support eminent domain, which is clearly a national and federal issue. Clarke lies in her campaign literature in a substantive way, that alone disqualifies her for me. Yassky and clarke voted to approve the Yankee Stadium plundering of the Bronx parks (also a Federal issue as that needed Federal approval).

So, I've never seen Yassky, Clarke or Andrews do ANYTHING on principle, only on whether or not it might get them more votes or further in their careers. We have plenty of those in Congress.

Owens would be a breath of fresh air compared to the three others.

is that enough for now beyond Atlantic Yards?

carnivore · September 2006

raulism wrote: I have always liked Chris Owens, and I have seen him around the neighborhood ever since I moved to my current place six years ago. But my feelings changed from being mildly impressed to being wildly impressed when we worked on the Norman Siegel campaign.

Norman Siegel is a civil rights law like civil rights lawyers should be. He ran for Public Advocate last year, and not a single elected official endorsed him, except Major Owens. Even though he was the right person for the job, only the brave public figures supported him. And Chris worked his butt off for the campaign.

And you may or may not care about the Atlantic Yards, but we need really strong advocates for civil rights in Washington. It's not just Republicans like Bush who think that the best way to defend the free world is by making us less free. Oh, I could wax philosophically on this, but my experience is that Chris passionately will support our freedoms, and we need those freedoms to keep us strong.

I have heard all the candidates at length, and I believe Chris will do the best job on this. In fact, he will rock Washington.

This are the kind of points that are relevant for a substantive discussion of this race. Although I support Yassky, I must applaud raulism for a positive discussion of the real issues in this election.

escap · September 2006

ratnerville4ever wrote: Clarke does not have the intellect to be in federal governemnt

Wow, he must be really dumb. :shock: :shock:

carnivore · September 2006

escap wrote: [quote=ratnerville4ever]Clarke does not have the intellect to be in federal governemnt

Wow, he must be really dumb. :shock: :shock:
She.

carnivore · September 2006

ratnerville4ever wrote: Okay. Chris is not a flip flopper wind tester. He takes his positions and sticks with them, and I always agree with them. Yassky, i don't really know where he stands on anything.

Repeating that over and over again doesn't make it true. To see where he stands on the issues, you only have to check the statements on his very clear website:
http://www.davidyassky.com/issues.php

livetotravel · September 2006

It really is a shame that the Brooklyn Democratic Machine Ratnerville4ever mentions has failed the people of the 11th so badly.

I've met Chris Owens - and I think he's a fine, sincere, young man who has the heart of a really effective local organizer.

But David Yassky actually has a stellar record pf political achievement.

One thing I and all residents of the 11th need is affordable housing. Yassky has done more about that in NYC as a Council member then anyone I know.

http://gothamgazette.com/community/33/news/1120

escap · September 2006

Carnivore wrote: [quote=escap][quote=ratnerville4ever]Clarke does not have the intellect to be in federal governemnt

Wow, he must be really dumb. :shock: :shock:
She.

Oh, man, you're killing me.

ratnerville4ever · September 2006

Carnivore wrote: [quote=ratnerville4ever]Okay. Chris is not a flip flopper wind tester. He takes his positions and sticks with them, and I always agree with them. Yassky, i don't really know where he stands on anything.

Repeating that over and over again doesn't make it true. To see where he stands on the issues, you only have to check the statements on his very clear website:
http://www.davidyassky.com/issues.php
I've read it.
He says he is against eminent domain abuse, but for Atlantic Yards.
He says he fights for "affordable" housing but is for a terrible "affordable" housing deal at Atlantic Yards and a pretty bad one in W/G.
He says he wrote the Brady Bill, but he didn't.

there are a few things.
i do agree with you about one thing. the 57th IS the race of importance when it comes to the Ratner plan. at the same time, where a politician stands on this issue, even if they can't effect it, is of importance in my view.

escap · September 2006

Livetotravel wrote: It really is a shame that the Brooklyn Democratic Machine Ratnerville4ever mentions has failed the people of the 11th so badly.

I've met Chris Owens - and I think he's a fine, sincere, young man who has the heart of a really effective local organizer.

But David Yassky actually has a stellar record pf political achievement.

One thing I and all residents of the 11th need is affordable housing. Yassky has done more about that in NYC as a Council member then anyone I know.

http://gothamgazette.com/community/33/news/1120

Egads, just when I was getting to like Yassky. Sigh. I guess I'll just have to vote 'none of the above'....

carnivore · September 2006

ratnerville4ever wrote: He says he is against eminent domain abuse, but for Atlantic Yards.
He says he fights for "affordable" housing but is for a terrible "affordable" housing deal at Atlantic Yards and a pretty bad one in W/G.
He says he wrote the Brady Bill, but he didn't.

Can you show evidence of his support of the use of eminent domain in the Atlantic Yards?
As livetotravel mentioned above, affordable housing is one of Yassky's strengths- he has a long record on this issue.
The same goes for gun control. Yassky was instrumental in getting the Brady Bill passed.

ratnerville4ever wrote: i do agree with you about one thing. the 57th IS the race of importance when it comes to the Ratner plan. at the same time, where a politician stands on this issue, even if they can't effect it, is of importance in my view.

This is what's short-sighted in a national election.

chris · September 2006

Batson looked like the choice for his race until he "cross endorsed" with Charles Barron. I've been following Barron's career for years because I like to keep track of the latest fashions in hate and he never fails to say and act in the most unfortunate ways. Barron is a pure chauvinist who found it within his heart to be an apologist for Robert Mugabe.

With that in mind, I think no matter how politically expedient he thought he was being, Batson used poor judgment with his endorsement.

And while Yassky seems sensible at times, it is very difficult to get past the argument that he entered the race in part knowing he would be advantaged by the split black vote.

Please vote for these anti AY candidates

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