Celebrating Community
It is cliché to say that there is more to learn from failure then there is from success, but there are truths in such familiar sayings. The latest flare up between the neighborhood and the developer, FORTIS, is over the timing and amount of construction noise that has begun as early as 5 am. There has been some successful community […]
City Council Race Carlos Menchaca pulled off a stunning upset in 2013 – a political novice beating a seasoned incumbent in the 38 Congressional District (Red Hook, Sunset Park). At the time, we thought he was just trying to cash in on the goodwill he made in the neighborhood during Hurricane Sandy. He was sent here by his boss Christine […]
With the incessant swirl of insanity expressed through “alternative facts,” it’s hard to maintain focus before the next horror of the Trump regime reveals itself. Wasn’t it just the other day we were asking if the President was being blackmailed by a Russian sex tape? Ah, simpler times they were. Even given the wide range of things people can focus […]
I’m a devout agnostic, and as we brace for the Trump era my inner atheist has been gaining confidence. However, I admit I’ve got a soft spot for Christmas. Maybe it’s the idea of Christmas, or having been fortunate enough to receive some great presents over the years (Nintendo64 comes to mind). Or, when it all boils down, it […]
If you woke up on the morning of November 9, 2016 finding yourself as apprehensive about Donald Trump being elected the country’s 45th President as I did, that may not be such a bad thing. The brash and often outspoken Trump is set to be one of the most erratic and un predictable Presidents that the country has ever elected […]
Based on President Obama’s approval rating (in the mid 50’s), the shrinking unemployment rate (now 4.6%), other positive factors, and the vulgar and unqualified bigot the Republicans had nominated, I figured election night would be one of celebration for progressives such as myself. Clearly, despite Hillary Clinton receiving 2.5 million more votes than Donald Trump, I was wrong. We now […]
LICH RFP (Long Island College Hospital Request for Proposal) leads to RFP (Really Flawed Process) for LICH, you get the point. My grandfather was a proud member of the ILA (International Longshoreman’s Association). Long Island College Hospital, blocks away from the ILA health center, was my family’s go-to hospital. Now the campus of LICH is no longer a hospital, and […]
The late great historian, Howard Zinn used to say, “you can’t be neutral on a moving train.” What he meant was that we are part of a world that is moving whether we like it or not and therefore have choices to affect its direction. Soon, you’ll have an opportunity to vote for our next president. If you are one […]
Before I say anything else, I want to say congrats to Senator Montgomery for her victory in the September 13th primary election. I am confident that she’ll continue to do a great job and if the Democrats should surprisingly take control of the State Senate she’ll get even more accomplished. I also must congratulate Bobby Carroll on his win in […]
If you pay close attention to my Twitter feed(@mike_racc), it is clear that I watch a lot of “Law and Order” and, it’s over the top, “ripped from the headlines” style. While I’m writing a column and not producing a prime time tv show, I’d like to take my shot at “riffing” the headlines I’d like to see this fall. […]