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THE ART OF INTELLIGENCE.

While the Pelosi imbroglio over torture and accusations against the CIA has receded somewhat, even some liberals are taking something of a distancing, and speculative look at the fact that these guys (the suspected terrorists) who were interrogated were not our friends, to say the least. When James Bond asked Goldfinger what he expected him to do, he charmingly laughed, "I expect you to die Mr. Bond.”  That IS what the enemy-combatants expect and want from us, as well.  Make no mistake about that.


SQUADRON/SCHIMMINGER 500-FOOT LAW REFORM BILL PASSES SENATE.

Currently, under the 500-foot law, the State Liquor Authority must hold a public hearing and consider the public interest when deciding whether to grant a liquor license to a new establishment within 500 feet of three existing establishments, but is not required to consider specific standards.


PURE GOLD: THE ISRAELI CONFLICT.

Sadly, for those like the writer who has family in Israel, survivors of the Holocaust, recent activities by the Bibi Netanyahu government reduce the likelihood of what Israelis need and want: peace and security.  On a wide range of issues the Israeli government, in the hands of religious extremists and dreamers of a Greater Israel, appear to have taken steps that guarantee continued hostility with the Palestinians as well as with the Arab states surrounding the tiny democracy. 


PLUNKITT OF TAMMANY HALL: A POLITICAL COLUMN OF AMAZING RANDOMNESS.

Since money makes the world go round, Mr. Bloomberg has been re-elected. His $90 million certainly made the difference, but not enough to give him any kind of “mandate” (though listening to him, he has one of those as well). The incredible slimness of Bloomberg’s (AKA “Bloom- bucks”) victory has been noted by those journalists who still write a few lines not favorable to our well heeled mayor.


LIU TO BLOOMBERG: FREEZE OUT-OF-CONTROL CITYTIME “MONEYPIT.”

New York City Comptroller John C. Liu called for Mayor Michael Bloomberg to immediately freeze all requests for contracts or payments associated with the CityTime project (CityTime) until the completion of his audit into the Office of Payroll Administration's (OPA's) oversight of the bloated project. CityTime is one of the timekeeping systems used in City agencies for employees, the cost of which has mushroomed by nearly eleven hundred percent with less than one-third of projected City employees actually using the system to date. 


DNC CHAIRMAN KAINE JOINS OBAMA IN CALLING ON CONGRESS TO PASS HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM

 

Says DNC Chairman Kaine, “Today, the President made clear what most Americans know all too well: we cannot delay any longer.  The final march for reform begins now.”  

 


SOHO POLITICS

The pace of construction has slowed Downtown. The new projects that are moving forward are primarily hotels. In part, this is due to the fact that little community review is needed when building as-of-right structures in a manufacturing zone. The Trump SoHo project is nearly completed and both the Tunnel Garage and Moondance Diner sites are in final stages of construction. The condo project at 350 West Broadway is also nearly completed...

 
 

SENATE PASSES BILL TO PROTECT YOGA STUDIOS FROM BURDENSOME REGULATIONS

“This is a victory for the yoga community of New York State. We can all breathe easier now that yoga studios will be free from the onerous regulations that threatened to shut down their businesses. This common sense bill ensures that yoga studios from Buffalo to Brookhaven can operate in peace once again,” said Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan/Bronx), the lead sponsor of the bill.

SEN. SQUADRON AND ASSM. MILLMAN’S BILL TO CLOSE LOOPHOLE IN 200-FT. & 500-FT. RULES FOR BARS PASSES STATE SENATE.

Senator Squadron and Assembly Member Millman’s bill that will close a loophole in the 200-foot law, intended to keep nightlife establishments a reasonable distance from schools and places of worship, passed the New York State Senate today. The bill clarifies the 200-foot law, requiring the 200-foot separation to be measured from the property line of the nightlife establishment. The clarification creates a clear, enforceable law that nightlife operators can adhere to and communities can rely on. It will similarly amend the 500-foot law to clarify that the measurement take place from the property line of the nightlife establishments in question.


AN OPEN LETTER TO EAST VILLAGE RESIDENTS

"The SLA and DCA Licensing Committee of Community Board #3 meets on Monday, March 15, 2010 at 6:30 pm at the JASA/Green Residence (200 East Fifth Street at Third Avenue) to look at various new and renewal liquor license applications in our immediate vicinity. Please attend this meeting to press the committee to reject these applications. We do not need one more bar around here."