New York, NY, January 27, 2010
We used to call it megalomania.
However, like with most medical conditions today, its name has been “politically corrected” by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and, under code 301.81, they now call it, “Narcissistic Personality Disorder.”
The disorder came to mind as we tried, for the last few days, to make sense of State Senator’s Hiram Monserrate’s latest mumblings comparing himself to murdered civil rights workers, after not long ago having compared himself to Jesus Christ.
But somehow, Narcissistic Personality Disorder’s major signs, “pattern[s] of grandiosity, need for admiration, and sense of entitlement,” seem to fall short when describing the infamous state senator Monserrate.
If the definition included words such as “opportunist,” “phony,” and “dirt bag” then, we are sure, for illustrative purposes, Monserrate’s picture would be included right along with it.
We know Monserrate was “retired” by the NYPD in 2000 on a psychological disability pension. Could it be that Bernie Kerik, who was the NYPD Commissioner at the time, thought “Megalo Monserrate” was after his job?
Monserrate and Kerik. How appropriate are those two names in the same sentence?
The voters of Queens' 13th senatorial district, as well as his senate colleagues, may have known little of Mr. Monserrate's personality "issues." Now they know. They need to act accordingly.
Lord Liu
New York, NY, January 24, 2010
It seems that recently elected city Comptroller John Liu is quickly on his way to earning the nickname “Lord Liu.”
As our colleague Daily News reporter Elizabeth Benjamin reported, Liu was recently provided a cop from the NYPD as his driver. Never mind that his predecessor, William Thompson, made due with a driver from the City’s regular drivers pool, Lord Liu, it seems, needs a driver with a little more firepower and a higher salary to match (not to mention the overtime hours that will boost the cop/driver's pension check). This, from a person charged with safeguarding the City’s precious financial resources and, who among his first acts in office, was to fire a fiat reminding his underlings that they should rise when he enters a room and must always call “Mr. Comptroller.”
Predictably, Liu’s people chalk up the new driver to a security decision by the NYPD.
Maybe someone has threatened Lord Liu with pounding some humility into his swollen head.
One thing good about these politicos – they never disappoint!
Rudy, Bernie Please Make Up!!
New York, NY, January 22, 2010
Our friend Tom Robbins, of the Village Voice, has written an excellent article in which he provides previously undisclosed details on the Rudy Giuliani-Bernie Kerik ballet/drama/"Frick and Frack" act (take your pick).
Tom predicts we have seen the last of the Giuliani-Kerik saga but, frankly, we hope he is wrong since, for us, the Giuliani-Kerik love affair has been a gift that keeps on giving!
Norman Siegel is Hiram Monserrate’s Lawyer
By Gerson Borrero
New York, NY, January 16, 2010 8:25 PM
As first reported by The Borrero Report on Thursday, Civil Rights attorney Norman Siegel has just confirmed that he will be representing State Senator Hiram Monserrate in the legal battle to halt the Senate’s Committee recommendation to oust their Queens colleague.
“We are a state of laws and have a state and national constitution that we should abide by,” Siegel told The Borrero Report in a telephone conversation today. According to Siegel, the question that has to be asked about this is, “Is it constitutional and legal?” The famed attorney went on to say, “The Senate is wrong about this.”
The contract for Monserrate's legal representation also includes attorney Steven J. Hyman as co-counsel. Hyman is from the law firm of McLaughlin and Stern. By Gerson Borrero Just spoke to Norman Siegel and as Liz Benjamin has posted in The Daily Politics, he has not yet reached an agreement with embattled State Senator Hiram Monserrate. “I’ve got another 17 cases and I am a single practioner,” Siegel told the Borrero Report. “There are serious and substantial questions that are raised here,” Siegel said about the Senate’s Committee recommendation to oust Monserrate. “It is a very serious and substantial case,” Siegel added. A source close to Monserrate says that, “they have not yet agreed on the fees and other matters,” but added that they think these will be worked out. Norman Siegel will Appeal for Hiram Monserrate By Gerson Borrero New York, NY, January 14, 2010 Sources tell the Borrero Report that famed Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel has just entered into an agreement to represent embattled State Senator Hiram Monserrate. Siegel is expected to immediately seek an injunction after the nine member Senate committee, headed by Eric T. Schneiderman, which has been investigating Monserrate’s December 19, 2008 domestic abuse case, releases its report today in which it is expected to, among other things, recommend Monserrate's expulsion from the State Senate. Attorney Siegel, a perennial Public Advocate candidate and former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union, would be the lead litigant in Monserrate’s bid to stop the Senate from carrying out the committee's recommendations. Stay tuned… “I am not working on any specific campaign as of yet,” Castell responded when asked if he would be working on Governor David A. Paterson's re-election effort. Roberto Ramirez is already a part of the Governor’s braintrust for the uphill campaign. What new business Castell can muster for the firm remains to be seen, since his duties as Campaign Manager of the Thompson for Mayor campaign were dubious. There are a few who argue that considering the millions Mike Bloomberg spent, Castell did a good job. However, there are far more – including individuals inside the campaign – who have confessed to the Borrero Report that he was, at best, “mediocre.” And, according to Wayne Barrett’s Village Voice cover story last week, the 2009 Mayoral race was, “…a tale of intrigue about a mayoral contest that left New Yorkers feeling so cheated fewer of them voted than in any election since 1917. It also reveals how one of these odd partners compromised the other, subverting the independent checks and balances required of a mayor and comptroller by law.” Buena suerte, Eduardo. By Gerson Borrero New York, NY, January 6, 2010 Levy, the xenophobe, is not one of those Republicans we demonize when they attack our undocumented brothers and sisters. He is a bona fide Democrat who, with the votes he receives in the primaries, will demonstrate he is not the only one in the Democratic Party that immigrants in general and Latinos in particular have against them. Additionally, the support of Levy's candidacy by the editorial pages of any of our State's newspapers would shed light on those who currently hide their disdain for immigrants. All of those who wish to block Steve 'the xenophobe' Levy's aspirations should stop. Or are you afraid to know who the enemy is within? Gilly's good for nothing, so let's just get rid of her Not to sound like Henry II railing against Thomas Becket, but will nobody rid New York of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand? Hardly a day goes by without her proving she is in over her head. Yet Gillibrand, who was appointed by Gov. Paterson, doesn't have a significant primary or general-election opponent next year. The prospect that she could get six more years without a fight is like a death sentence for the state. Consider her dopey defense of the health-care overhaul she supported. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg have told her and Sen. Chuck Schumer it will cost New Yorkers billions and force the closing of hundreds of clinics, but Gillibrand sloughs the facts off by saying it's not so bad. How would she know? In an interview last April, I caught the former-centrist-turned-liberal rubber stamp making false claims on numerous subjects. She's just not that into facts. For example, to justify switching sides on a gun-control bill after Paterson plucked her from the House and made her senator, Gillibrand said there were "literally 1 million gun deaths" from 2000 to 2002. Actually, there were about 87,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To defend her sudden softening stance on illegal immigration, she told a fanciful story where "police officers, you know, in very combat-boots style, knocked down doors, pointed weapons at mothers, 5-year-old children standing there in the doorway, pulling the dad out, never to be heard of or seen again." When I objected that the claims seemed wildly exaggerated, she said, without an ounce of shame, "I'm just repeating the story that was told to me." So it is with the health overhaul. She bought the slippery line it was painless "reform." But by adding more than a million people to the Medicaid rolls, the bill will force local tax hikes on every New Yorker because the city and state share in the added costs. And higher Medicare taxes and excise taxes on some health plans the bill includes will siphon more New York money to Washington. No Dessert After All - Lunch Pow-Wow Cancelled! In the meantime, "open meeting" Diaz is not answering his mobile. Hmmm, must be prayer time. Says he has worked hard to “mainstream” New York, NY, December 28, 2009 By Gerson Borrero Taking stock of the year that is about to end, Pedro Espada, Jr., the man who at the height of the senate chaos in Albany described himself as having “balls of steel,” said that 2009 has been for him, “turbulent, tumultuous and triumphant.” Chastised by many as one of the leaders of the chaos that dominated this year’s NYS Senate, Espada, Jr. told The Borrero Report, in a recent conversation, that: “Mud slinging was one thing while it had to be done; it was not just theater or buffoonery.” The always polemic Senator said, “I’ve worked hard to mainstream myself” and he has heard the voices of New Yorkers who have expressed their desire to rid themselves of the lot of state office holders, “the signals are not good for incumbents,” admitted Espada . Espada, Jr., has invited his other three "Amigos," (Senators Carl Kruger, Hiram Monserrate and Ruben Diaz) for a holiday luncheon (1:30 PM) at the Nautilus Diner in Mamaroneck, NY, where the Senator owns a home. The home – Pedro has insisted for years - is not his primary residence. Senator Espada’s legislative interest includes a farm workers rights piece that he says will be presented, “in early January.” As Chair of the Housing Committee the Senator says, "I will have a bill and it will come out.” And what will certainly capture Diaz’ interest, is this statement by his Amigo, “I will tackle anew this whole Armory thing. It’s in my District and I have business acumen.” Let’s see how the sometimes wild man of the cloth, and constant enemy of a same gender marriage law, reacts to this. Diaz’ son and Bronx Borough President, “Rubencito,” has received both accolades and vilification for his star role in the defeat of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s and the Related Companies plan to develop the Kingsbridge Armory. Daddy Diaz would not want Pedro to steal his son’s platform. Thompson Said To Be “Not Ruling Out Anything” Will Make Decision by Year End on a Senate, Comptroller, or another Mayoral Run In 2013 By Gerson Borrero New York, NY, December 16, 2009 According to one source, the soon-to-be unemployed NYC Comptroller, William C. Thompson, Jr., has been pondering over the idea of running for the US Senate to unseat novice Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. His interest in the position has been peaked since the release of the results of a recent Quinnipiac University poll, where he leads Gillibrand 41-28 percent among Democrats. “Right now, he is not ruling out anything,” a well informed insider told the Borrero Report. “He is looking at everything”, the source said. When pressed to define “everything,” the source enumerated a primary challenge to Gillibrand for the Democratic nomination at the top of the list. The second would be running for State Comptroller against Thomas P. DiNapoli, and the third would be to give the NYC mayoralty another try in 2013. If Thompson decides to challenge Gillibrand he would need about $3 million dollars to be taken seriously as a contender. Thompson would also have to be ready to take on the powerful Senator Charles E. Schumer, who has bullied all candidates out of even the thought of a challenge to the obedient junior senator that flies closely under his wings. The calls for Thompson not to challenge Gillibrand that would, for certain, come from the White House on behalf of President Obama, would be powerful. The President seems to have been convinced by Senator Schumer that the seat could be lost to a Republican. Just reported this morning by Elizabeth Benjamin of the Daily News is a guarantee by Suffolk County Legislator, Jon Cooper that he would not challenge Gillibrand. “He will decide by the end of the year,” the source said. Mr. Thompson’s decision has some supporters on a holding pattern. Among them are one of his closest confidants and Campaign Manager of his failed mayoral bid, Eduardo Castell, who has returned to his duties as Executive Deputy Comptroller. Castell would only tell the Borrero Report that, “I am waiting for Bill to make a decision on his options.” New York, NY, December 14, 2009 New York, NY, December 7, 2009 It looks like the movement to hold State Senators accountable for the demise of the gay marriage bill in Albany has begun. Giovanni Vaughn, a self described homosexual Christian, has called, in this YouTube video, on anti gay marriage State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. to explain his position. Vaughn says that Diaz, whose virulent opposition contributed to the defeat of the bill, has been avoiding his phone calls. We find that strange for a politician who has never been known to back down from a good fight. Come on Ruben, pick up the phone and answer this young man’s legitimate and appropriate questions. You are a tough guy behind the microphones and when the cameras are rolling; now it’s time to face the music. New York, NY, December 4, 2009 “He gets what anybody would get in the same situation.” With those words, Justice William Erlbaum, of Queens State Supreme Court, handed State Senator Hiram Monserrate the biggest Christmas gift he has ever received and has shown why we should not expect abusers to learn that the crime of domestic violence should be a one-way ticket to jail. By now, the details we have learned surrounding this case, make it more than obvious that Erlbaum gave Monserrate the first part of his early Christmas present back in October when he found him guilty of a lesser misdemeanor crime versus, what we believe, was a clearly proven felony assault charge. The real story today is not that Monserrate got away virtually scot-free, what is of concern is that the esteemed jurist saw no problem in letting the protagonist, of what Erlbaum, himself, described as a series of events which caused "the blood to boil,” to walk out of the courtroom without a minute of jail time to be served and displaying, what our grandmothers would call, his “cara fresca” (his insolent face). That Erlbaum would give anyone else similarly situated, what he gave Monserrate, is a problem. Efforts to teach abusers that actions carry consequences will be futile as long as “first offenders” are treated with kid gloves by the judiciary. The type of “justice” handed out by Erlbaum is what creates second, third, and fourth time offenders. Justice William M. Erlbaum has never been elected by the people of Queens as a Supreme Court Justice. He was appointed an Acting Supreme Court Justice by Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman and his term is due to expire at the end of this year. NO WAY TO TREAT OUR VETERANS New York, NY, December 2, 2009 The law in question dates back to 1894. Back then State legislators, rightfully, felt that the benefit gained by the law was the least they could do for individuals who defended our country. The law has withstood the test of time - along with a number of lawsuits looking to eliminate or modify it. Rossi’s arrest for disorderly conduct is, in our view, totally illegal. If police ordered Mr. Rossi to "move" it seems that he was well within his right to refuse what seems to have been an unlawful order. How can anything, which Mr. Rossi may have done, be violation of the law cited below? NYS Penal Law: S 240.20 Disorderly conduct. Using "obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic," to justify the charge of disorderly conduct is clearly a subterfuge intended to justify the continued harassment of Mr. Rossi. Most New Yorkers are familiar with the location and have seen the vendors at work. They stand well on the sides of the museum entrance and people walk up to them to make their purchases. How is that obstruction? The order to arrest Rossi had to come from the Parks Commissioner or directly from City Hall. Any Police Officer, and their supervisors, would know that the charges used to arrest Mr. Rossi are bogus. These cops would not put themselves in line for a lawsuit on false arrest (which is what they have done) unless someone at the very top ordered it to be done. The Borrero Report urges the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union to take up the case on behalf of Mr. Rossi and the other affected veterans. New York, NY, November 13, 2009 New York, NY, October 20, 2009 A report yesterday by New York Times reporter David W. Chen confirms a reality that most New Yorkers know. Rudolph W. Giuliani’s time has come and gone. Period. The disgusting, offensive, and incendiary remarks made by Giuliani, while campaigning with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, are a reminder of why, prior to being resuscitated by the tragedy of 9-11, Giuliani was one of New York City’s most reviled office holders (a thing called Hiram Monserrate did not exist, politically, at that time). Lest we forget our recent history, by the end of his second term, New Yorkers were tired of Giuliani’s Gestapo-like tactics, abrasive manner, extra-marital dalliances, and overall self-righteousness. It was the national and local media, for reasons of uniting the country, and giving us a most needed rallying point after the devastation of the Twin Towers, that made Giuliani a national figure. But Giuliani’s devious, duplicitous, and hateful character could not survive the accolades thrown his way after 9-11 and wise Republican voters, on a national level, gave him a resounding “no” during his disastrous 2008 presidential campaign. The voters did their part last year; now we, the media, must step-up and do ours. It’s time that reporters, editors, and op-ed pages stop wasting paper on every Giuliani mussing and utterance. Not through censorship, but by acknowledging that there are many other voices in politics with important and constructive ideas. Now, more than ever, our City and the Nation need to hear those individuals. Granted, this particular Giuliani diatribe had to be reported. It has been instructive to know that Mayor Bloomberg, standing side-by-side with the now disgraced ex-mayor as he spewed his not so veiled hateful venom, has not disavowed any of Giuliani’s remarks. It’s something, no doubt, many voters will remember on November 3rd. Mr. Giuliani is a private citizen. He has no official role or title in New York City government. His “ideas” are hardly new and neither is his divisive and repugnant persona. Frankly, he is irrelevant to the public discourse and, except for Mr. Bloomberg who will use anything and anyone in his desire to cling to power, few any longer care what Giuliani has to say.
Norman Siegel will Appeal for Hiram Monserrate
New York, NY, January 14, 2010 12:50 PM
Interestingly, Monserrate once served on the Board of Directors of the New York Civil Liberties Union, a group Siegel once headed.
Eddie Castell to join Mirram Group as Partner
By Gerson Borrero
New York, NY, January 11, 2010
As first reported by the Borrero Report on December 16, 2009, Eduardo Castell confirmed this afternoon that he will be joining The Mirram Group next week.
Castell, who will now become the only partner that Luis Miranda, Jr. and Ramirez have ever added to their political consulting business, said that he had conversations with both principals and will be, “supporting work with current clients as well as working to grow business.”
Contrary to the opinion of many, Steve Levy's intention to seek the nomination for governor on New York's Democratic ticket would be the best present Latinos could receive this year.
The inclusion of the current Suffolk County Executive in what is likely to be a nasty political brawl, and in which the Latino community, until now, has had no role, would put Latinos smack in the middle of the storm.
Just in case it has escaped observers, Levy is a member of the political party in which the majority of the State’s Latino voters are registered. Levy is also a proven anti-immigrant basher of the worst kind who continuously validates his dislike for them.
Identifying a Lou Dobbs is easy. The real challenge is to know which Democrats would support Levy. No one really knows who and how many in the state’s Democratic Party share Mr. Levy’s views.
That’s why it would not be in the best interest of Latinos to silence Levy. We must have the opportunity to listen as Governor Paterson, Attorney General Cuomo, and County Executive Levy debate immigration issues.
Levy's presence on the 2010 stage would force other Democrats, such as Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who rely on the same voters as Levy, to publicly support or reject his positions.
Levy's candidacy would force the discussion on immigration issues which has, thus far, evaded a full-scale public airing in New York.
We should not be afraid of Mr. Levy. The executive is already a declared enemy. The important thing is to now become aware of who the hidden enemies are.
Let's see how many of the 62 New York State Democratic County Chairs will support Levy.
Let Levy take them all out of the 'closet' where they're hiding.
On Target!
New York, NY, December 30, 2009
Our colleague Michael Goodwin gets right to the point with his take on why New Yorkers should not keep the annointed Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate.
His article in today's NY Post is so good we have reprinted it below.
Michael Goodwin
That Gillibrand is so dense and disregards his concerns gives Paterson reason to urge her to step aside. He sent her to Washington to represent middle-class New Yorkers, not to parrot the national Democratic Party's high-tax, liberal agenda.
New York, NY, December 28, 2009
A reliable source has told the Borrero Report that it was Brooklyn pol Carl Kruger who canceled the bread breaking session. "It was Kruger trying to be collegial. It was never intended to be public." Collegial? Strange word when used with the "Four Amigos!"
“Turbulent, Tumultuous and Triumphant” Senator Espada’s Description of 2009
The political menu for this afternoon will include the legislative priorities of each of the Four Amigos.
Will they sit together long enough to order “café con leche” and dessert?
Beyond 15 Minutes of Fame
How About Some Immigration "Peace," Now!
New York, NY, December 13, 2009
Daily News columnist Albor Ruiz has an interesting immigration angle on what many have opined was/is an undeserved and premature Nobel Peace Prize for President Barack Hussein Obama. Take a read (here).
Harold Ickes, Part of Team Paterson
By Gerson Borrero
New York, NY, December 10, 2009
There’s at least one heavyweight Democrat operative who is not running away from Governor David A. Paterson’s basement poll numbers. Harold M. Ickes is formally lending his expertise to the incumbent governor's effort at getting elected in 2010.
Ickes, who has more than four decades of experience in the rough and tumble politics of New York and Washington, and has worked for Bill Clinton and David N. Dinkins, among other well known Democrats, is a respected and tried strategist. Ickes was present at last Sunday’s meeting with Team Paterson at the Harlem office of Bill Lynch.
“This is not about Andrew Cuomo. We are staying away from the Cuomo spin,” said a key player in the “small group of advisors” when asked how much of their strategy is based on the Attorney General challenging the Governor in a primary.
A source told the Borrero Report that, in addition to Ickes, Paterson counts on the expertise of his father, Basil Paterson, Roberto Ramirez, and Lawrence S. ‘Larry’ Schwartz. All three, in addition to Lynch and Ickes, were present at the strategy session on Sunday.
Time to Face the Music
How NOT to Stop Domestic Violence 
Anti domestic violence activists should remember that.
At a time when many New Yorkers are risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, it must be comforting for them to know that the administration of Michael R. Bloomberg could stomp on their rights when they return to the beloved city they sought to protect.
In an article entitled “Veteran vendor bust in Met beef” in last Wednesday’s New York Post, reporters Amanda Melillo and Jeremy Olshan describe disabled Vietnam veteran Dan Rossi’s ongoing dispute with the City over his rights as a street vendor. Despite a long standing law clearly allowing Rossi, and other disabled veterans, to vend their wares on city streets, the Bloomberg administration has, apparently, decided to ignore its provisions and oust Rossi from a coveted spot in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
New York City, just recently, started viewing location like the Met Museum as money-making prime vending sites. However, the fact of the matter is that veterans had, and continue to have, a right to those locations before anybody else. The City may not like it but that is the law. Period.
A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof:
1. He engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior; or
2. He makes unreasonable noise; or
3. In a public place, he uses abusive or obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or
4. Without lawful authority, he disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons; or
5. He obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic; or
6. He congregates with other persons in a public place and refuses to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse; or
7. He creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.
Disorderly conduct is a violation.
Mayor Bloomberg is fond of calling things he disagrees with "ridiculous." What will Hizzoner say about this?
Time for NAHJ to Throw Lou Dobbs off Lifetime Membership Roll
By Gerson Borrero
Bravo!
Now that serial undocumented immigrant basher Lou Dobbs is off CNN’s daily programming, let the triumphant forces not waste the self-congratulatory patting on the back and march on to the next Dobbs comfort zone. Strike the vitriolic offender before he finds an inviting foxy network from which to continue his immigrant bashing.
The demand should go forth to the National Association of Hispanic Journalist (NAHJ) that it expunges Dobbs from its Lifetime Members roster.
The otherwise distinguished list of the NAHJ was tarnished when the finger pointing anti-immigrant was asked to join the journalist group with a one-time five-thousand dollar contribution in 2006.
When I first reported this story in my El Diario column in May of 2007 then President of NAHJ, Rafael Olmeda, said, “We’ve never put membership through an ideological test.”
Olmeda, currently a reporter with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, indicated at the time that, “Mr. Dobbs was approached and asked to make a Lifetime Membership donation.”
The solicitation was made by then NAHJ Region Three Board Member Regina Medina at the NAHJ June 14 – 17, 2006 Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Ms. Medina, a reporter with the Philadelphia Daily News, described how she had approached Dobbs, who was engaged in a conversation with NAHJ staffers, and asked him, “Excuse me, Mr. Dobbs, would you like to be a Lifetime Member of NAHJ?”
According to Ms. Medina, Dobb’s responded, “I’m not Hispanic.”
“Well neither are a lot of our Lifetime Members,” was her comeback line.
Ms. Medina explained how, when she first saw Dobbs, her immediate thought was, “He’s got a thousand bucks.”
At the time, I asked Ms. Medina why NAHJ would want money from a Latino immigrant hater like Dobbs, she responded, “We can’t discriminate, maybe we can change this guy. It’s not like it’s tobacco money.”
Yet, much like tobacco, Dobbs has continued to spread cancer – a verbal cancer that eats away at the positive contributions Latinos make to this country. In the last two years, Dobbs has increased his unjustified attacks on Latino undocumented immigrants. He portrays them as an evil force whose presence jeopardizes every aspect of the Nation’s existence. Well, so much for change.
The listing of Dobbs as an NAHJ Lifetime Member, in some circles, gives credence to the habitual offender’s sarcastic claim that he is, in spite of the documented evidence to the contrary, not out to demonize Latinos.
It is troubling that the NAHJ continues to see no moral or ethical conflict in keeping Dobbs as a member and has no problem keeping his five-thousand dollars – money earned, in part, from bashing our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
The current President of NAHJ, O. Ricardo Pimentel, writes on the home page of the organization’s website that: “Our issue with Dobbs has never been about “advocacy journalism.” Opinion journalism plays a treasured role as watchdog and valuable source of information in a democratic society. But this opinion should ideally be supported by facts. Dobbs has failed in this regard.”
The premise by Mr. Pimentel that Dobbs’ opinion has to be based on fact goes against the grain of what opinion is. Facts are statements that can be proven. Opinions cannot be proven. They are based on someone's thoughts, their feelings and their understanding. An opinion does not have to be substantiated by positive knowledge or proof. Though you may be able to use facts to add credibility to an opinion, it is still an opinion!
Mr. Pimentel’s argument holds no water.
It is Lou Dobbs’ right to say whatever he wants - that is what he has done, and will probably continue doing.
Mr. Pimentel, who is the Editorial Page Editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, told the Borrero Report: “We have talked about it as a Board, whether we would revoke Dobbs' membership and are fearful of the precedent it would establish. What happens to the next member that someone does not like? We’re journalists.”
The NAHJ President then referred us to what the organization posted on the subject and added, “We challenge our members to challenge Dobbs.”
If, in fact, Dobbs remains a member of the NAHJ, it seems obligatory that the forces claiming victory over his leaving CNN make it clear to the NAHJ how abhorrent Dobbs membership in that organization is. Therefore, the challenge to them would be to set, as their next goal, a demand that the NAHJ return Mr. Dobbs’ money and remove him from their roster.
Or could it be that, as a community, Latinos will only bash Anglo individuals and institutions that trash us, but still take their money – money they may have earned, in part, by verbally stomping on our people? This appears to be the case with the NAHJ.
The looking the other way by the Board of Directors of the NAHJ, regarding Dobbs’ membership, due to a misguided sense of fairness, objectivity and impartiality towards an individual who continues to gratuitously and maliciously speak ill of our sisters and brothers is, frankly, hypocritical, denigrating, and repugnant.
The NAHJ should return Mr. Dobbs’ money and remove him from its membership list.
Immediately.
Monserrate is Not Much of a Catch for Karla
By Gerson Borrero
New York, NY, October 19, 2009
Can someone please translate the lyrics of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It” for Karla Giraldo?
The recipient of Hiram Monserrate’s "affection" has been promised an engagement ring by the creep who could turn out to be her very own version of Ike Turner. Karla may be so overwhelmed with the Queens State Senator’s "amor" that she has not done the math. So let’s help Karla with the numbers.
By Gerson Borrero
New York, NY, October 13, 2009
Everyone knows who the Mayor of New York City is. What no one knows is which of his egomaniacal personalities will be on hand this evening in East Harlem for the first of only two mayoral debates.
Will it be Mike-the-Democrat-turned-Republican who morphed into his version of an Independent only to return to the Republican fold?
Or will it be Mike-the-one-dollar-a-year-Mayor whose insatiable controlling ways and billions of dollars led him to believe that after buying City Hall in 2001 and 2005, in 2008 he could also buy the White House?
Maybe it will be the Mike who would have settled for the Vice Presidency if Barack Hussein Obama had offered it to him while he hoped for some misfortune to befall the much younger Commander-In-Chief so he could step up?
The burden of figuring out which Miguelito shows up tonight will fall on the panel of journalists that will be questioning both the candidates. How Dominic Carter, as moderator and journalists Brian Lehrer, Juan Manuel Benitez, Adam Lisberg and Michael Scotto will pull this off is bound to be an interrogation challenge.
What about Thompson?
By merely standing on the same stage with Michael R. Bloomberg, the challenger, William C. Thompson, Jr., will get more attention than he has thus far been able to generate during his entire campaign. Even though the Comptroller could score big by unnerving the short-fused Mayor, Mr. Thompson is forced to use his share of the 60-minute debate to make his case to New Yorkers that he is better suited than his rival.
Again, the challenge for the interrogators will be to determine for themselves and define for the NY1, Noticias viewing audience and listeners of WNYC Radio which Mike Bloomberg is responding to their questions.
Which Miguelito will they have before them? Will it be Mike-the-loser?
Will it be the omnipotent Mike that could not convince voters about non-partisan elections? Or will we be treated to an appearance by the West-Side-Stadium-failure-Mike? Or will it be congestion-pricing Mike? Or perhaps Mike-the-Olympian, who failed in his bid for the 2012 Olympics?
The one Mike that cannot elude questioning is the double talking Term Limits Mayor—The Miguelito that overturned the people’s will by buying Christine Quinn and another 28 City Council members.
That tyrannical Mike has to be bought on to the stage in the El Museo Auditorium at the outset.
Check out Gerson with Curtis Sliwa at the end of this funny David Letterman clip.
Letterman Video
See who or what gets skewered as the ever opinionated Gerson Borrero now delivers a weekly commentary, "THE WAY I SEE IT," on HITN-TV.
