June 26 2012 - A DAY OF VICTORY FOR NEW YORK - A TIME OF VIGILANCE FOR AMERICA

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Posted by Gloria Dulan-Wilson on June 28, 2012 at 2:45pm
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

June 26 2012 - A DAY OF VICTORY FOR NEW YORK & A TIME OF VIGILANCE FOR AMERICA
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

If June wasn't already an event-laden month, June 26th may well have been the zenith of a period that many felt would either make or break the New York Political realm for all times.

Of course,there were many of us who predicted that there was nothing to worry about - that the candidates who were stacked against the incumbents didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of unseating them. And we were absolutely right:

Congressman Charles Rangel held his seat in Manhattan, with a 56% lead at the time of this writing. No surprise when you figure there were so many running against him it easily split the votes.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke will be returning to DC in Brooklyn, despite efforts to totally decimate her congressional district through the most heinous redistricting ever. At her victory party, held at Tropical Paradise in Brooklyn, she thanked her supporters, including Ms. Andrea Dawes, who had volunteered in every way possible; her mother, former City Council member Una S.T. Clarke, Mary Bishop, Latrice Walker and others, for making sure that she was able to conduct a campaign and maintain her responsibilities of representing her constituents in Washington. "We had a 'scrunching' of the opponent!" she stated enthusiastically, as her many well wishers toasted her victory. Scrunch or no scrunch, anyone following the Congresswoman's activities wonders what could her opponent have been thinking - no game, no track record, she was hopelessly out matched by Ms. Clarke across the board.

Congressman Gregory Meeks likewise prevailed in Queens; while Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez returns as well.

However, the most watched race, and what almost turned out to be the most acrimonious contest was that between City Councilman Charles Barron and New York State Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries for the congressional seat recently vacated by Congressman Edolphus Towns.

What started out as a three way contest between Town, Jeffries and Barron, was turned into a two-way battle after the congressman announced that he was not going to seek re-election, after having served 27 years in Congress in Brooklyn's 10th Congressional District.

The announcement came as a shock to many who had supported Congressman Towns, and were now left with the dilemma of who to throw their support behind. The decision came so closely after fellow Congressman Donald Payne (D. Newark, NJ) had so suddenly succumbed to cancer, many speculated this may have played into Town's sudden decision to retire. The two had served together in Congress for more than a quarter of a century, each ably representing their constituencies, and simultaneously supporting each other in important legislation.

That said, the field was now narrowed down to two contenders. Both Barron and Jeffries had great track records in their service and devotion to their constituencies. Both have been known to go to the wall when necessary to ensure their districts had what they needed. So, to say the least, it was a perplexing problem, both inside and outside the Black community.

VIDA, the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association of Central Brooklyn had apparently decided to support Jeffries long before Congressman Towns backed out of the race. Under the leadership of State Democratic District Leader Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., who was recently elected President of the organization, they led a vigorous campaign to get the rest of the community on board. Still, with new lines drawn, and with the decimation of the old 10th Congressional District, reaching out to bring a new and diverse community together to coalesce behind Jeffries was no easy task.

Couple that with the fact that few, if any, of the Brooklyn voting population were aware that June 26th was substituting for the regular New York Primary that had traditionally been held in September; and you had what could have been the making of a political disaster.

Two weeks prior to the election, Barron had received the blessing and support of Congressman Towns, and it looked as if those who had supported him in the past may have followed suit as well. There were, however, others who were not persuaded that this was a good fit for Brooklyn, owing to the fiery nature of Barron, whose militancy and clarity has been known to rub more moderate political figures the wrong way.

So, while the voter turn out was "predictably low", the percentages were sufficient for a landslide in Jeffries' favor. Garnering 73% of the votes, more than enough to send him to Congress in 2013, it was clear that the voters of Brooklyn had spoken.

At his victory celebration, Jeffries thanked his staff and his campaign leaders, and pledged to continue to represent the poor, the middle class, the seniors, and those in his district who had been pushed out as a result of unaffordable living conditions, unemployment and other negative conditions. On hand to congratulate him were Assembly members Annette M. Robinson, Karim Camara, State Senator Kevin Parker, former Assembly members Roger Green and Clarence Norman, Elizabeth Holtzman, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, Professor Leonard Jeffries and his wife, Roslyn Jeffries (Hakeem Jeffries' aunt and uncle); 2013 Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson, and others too numerous to mention.

In looking across the room packed full of well wishers, it was obvious Jeffries had drawn support from practically every quarter of Brooklyn. Amazingly so, when the new maps themselves had actually not been completely finalized until just days before, leaving many in a quandry as to where they actually were supposed to be as of the day of the primary.

In closing Jeffries pledged to now focus his attention on the re-election of President Barack Obama. Our congratulations to him for having secured the victory as our new Congressional Representative in DC.

This is the point that I now remind everyone that, as in Brooklyn, and everywhere else, your vote absolutely counts!!! If you did not participate in this primary, if you have not registered to vote, make sure you do so before the September statewide primary. And most definitely before the Presidential election.

We've still got so much more to do to secure the future of our country from the hands of those who would roll back the clock to pre-civil rights and voting rights days.

I truly hope, as well, that now that this phase of the elections are behind us, those who were contenders will begin to work with the victors to move forward and make sure that we New Yorkers continue to move forward as well.
We've got to re-elect President Barack Hussein Obama. And with battle ground states surrounding us, and the combined rep-ugh-blican tactics of voter nullification and re-districting, as well as the Supreme Court bogus "Citizen's United rule" giving big business the right to buy elections wholesale, we had best be uniting across the boards to hold the lines and save democracy - or end up in a fascist version of the US that will make other repressive governments look like a cakewalk by comparison. **

So celebrate a great victory, New York. Pat yourselves on the back. But be very afraid, because states like Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Arizona, are still trying to exert racist, repressive, revisionist, control over our rights.

And we absolutely cannot allow that to happen.

**(Just a foot note to this - We know that so-called Citizen's United and the Tea Baggers are pouring millions of dollars into trying to prevent Obama from being re-elected. So there are many in the meanstream media that try to convince us that Mitt Romney is getting bigger contributions. That may well be the case in quantity. However, while we may not have thousands to contribute, we do have thousands of us who can each give $3.00; $5.00; $7.00 or $10.00 to help in the campaign. If we each give $3.00 per week, President Obama will be able to continue with his campaign, while continuing the great job he is doing as Our President. You can either contribute online or via the many campaign headquarters in your area. For those of you outside New York, particularly those of you in the Battleground states, if you need to find a way of getting your contribution to the President, log on to www.Obama2012.com, and they will reach back out you.)

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

WAKE UP BROOKLYN! TUESDAY JUNE 26 VOTE OR DIE

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Just in case you didn't get the memo; just in case you haven't been keeping up with time it is, I am going to take the opportunity to say WAKE UP BROOKLYN - Your lives are on the line - Literally.

Perhaps the most pivotal date, prior to the actual general election, will take place on Tuesday, June 26, which is the day we vote for our new congressman - either Charles Barron or Hakeem Jeffries; and re-elect our congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke.

By the way, gone are the 9th, 10th, and 11th Congressional districts you are accustomed to. Now that the lines have been redrawn, you may find that you're in completely different districts, with completely different congressional candidates to vote for - so check to see if you are in the 7th, 8th or 9th. Manhattan check for the 13th, which combines several districts. Make sure you check out who is running in your community, so that you don't pull the lever for the wrong candidate, or end up at the wrong polling place.

With the Rep-ugh-blicans trying to institute voter nullification, you have to do your own due diligence to make sure you're not a victim instead of a victor.

This is no time for a day at the beach; this is no time for sleeping in, or going about business as usual. Yes we can still celebrate Black Music Month, Caribbean Heritage Month, and all the other good stuff.

But we also have to remember we have a job to do and we can't be weighed in the balance and found wanting AGAIN!!

You need to get to those poles as though you are voting to re-elect President Obama, because this is a precursor to his re-election on November 7, 2012. You have to vote as though your very lives depend on it, because, in point of fact, it absolutely, positively does.

Don't get it twisted - EVERYTHING WE DO FROM THIS POINT FORWARD COUNTS AND MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE OF BROOKLYN, OF NEW YORK CITY, AND IN THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES. Make no mistake about it.

And if you think it doesn't matter, just look at what happened as a result of the lack of cooperation during the 2010 Census. The very real effects of losing a whole seat in Congress, budgetary cutbacks, and a string of other negative consequences are because we sat back and did not take care of business.

Look at what happened when we didn't show up at the polls for the Mayoral Election!

I know you folks don't like to hear this; I know it's easy to point fingers of blame at everybody else. But we are the largest borough, with the largest Black population. We have a big responsibility to not let each other down. The thing to do now is learn from this harsh lesson, go forward and not let it happen again on our watch.

So ministers - this Sunday in your churches, make sure in your sermons you tell your congregation to get out and vote; community leaders, make sure you're going door to door to make sure those who need help can get to the polls. Seniors, if you need assistance, call your local center, or your Assemblymember or your City Council Representative.

This is no time to stand on ceremony. This is absolutely imperative that everybody who is breathing votes.

And for you first time voters, 18 and over, you are pivotal in this upcoming election. Make it your business to show up and make your vote count.

For those of you old enough to remember, it's only been since 1965 that Black people had the right to vote in many parts of the US. There were actually people who fought and died to make sure you had the right. You have absolutely a responsibility to make sure they did not sacrifice their lives in vain for you.

For you newly minted citizens, who have had the good sense to register to vote, don't be shy about asking where the polling places are, and getting your neighbors to assist you.

Not only is this a wake up call for BROOKLYN, but for all the boroughs - for the nation. While this message is aimed toward Black people and people of color, I am also urging all American citizens not to leave your right to a country that works for all of us on the table. Democracy is under siege, and if we don't stand up, we get what we deserve.

I am patently partisan in my stand - totally on the Democratic line, so don't even ask me who the Rep-ugh-blican candidates are. We don't have the luxury of equivocating. We've already had the bitter taste of what it's like to do otherwise. They've pretty much put the brakes on the good that President Obama is trying to do.

College students especially should be making sure that a Democrat majority is in congress, now that the Rep-ugh-blicans have tried to hi-jack your financial aid and your right to a decent education. The fact that they are trying to keep you from voting in the community where you attend college should indicate that they mean you absolutely no good whatsoever.

If there are other primaries in other states where you have relatives, friends, acquaintances, please make sure you reach out to them and insist they get up and that they take the time to vote.

We've got too much at stake.

Below are a list of the candidates running on the Democratic party line for the State of New York:

OFFICE: REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
NOTE: ALL OFFICES ARE FOR CONGRESS UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
PARTY: DEMOCRATIC
NOTE: ALL CANDIDATES ARE DEMOCRATS UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED

DISTRICT: Part of Nassau and Part of Queens
CANDIDATES: GREGORY MEEKS – St. Albans,NY 11427
Other Candidates:
Allan W. Jennings, Jr.
Joseph R. Marthone
Mike Skala


DISTRICT: 6th
COUNTIES: Part of Queens
CANDITATES:
Rory I. Lancman
Robert Mittman
Grace Meng
Elizabeth Crowley

DISTRICT 7th
COUNTIES: PART OF KINGS, PART OF NEW YORK & PART OF QUEENS
CANDIDATES:
DANIEL J. O'CONNOR – NEW YORK 10022
GEORGE MARTINEZ - BROOKLYN 11233
NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ – BROOKLYN 11231
ERIK MARTIN DILAN – BROOKLYN 11207

DISTRICT 8th
COUNTIES: PART OF KINGS AND PART OF QUEENS
CANDIDATES:
HAKEEM S. JEFFRIES - BROOKLYN 11238
CHARLES BARRON – BROOKLYN 11207

OFFICE: REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
DISTRICT 9TH
COUNTIES: PART OF KINGS
YVETTE D. CLARKE - BROOKLYN 11225
SYLVIA G. KINARD – BROOKLYN 11230


DISTRICT 13TH
COUNTIES: PART OF BRONX & PART OF NEW YORK
CANDIDATES:
CHARLES B. RANGEL
JOYCE S. JOHNSON
CRAIG SCHLEY
CLYDE EDWARD WILLIAMS, JR.
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT

OFFICE: REPRENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
DISTRICT 16TH
COUNTIES: PART OF BRONX & PART OF WESTCHESTER
CANDIATES:
ELLIOT L. ENGEL
ANIELLO GRIMALDI


DISTRICT 18TH
COUNTIES: ORANGE, PUTNAM, PART OF DUTCHESS & PART OF WESTCHESTER
CANDIDATES:
SEAN PATRICK MAHONEY
DUANE JACKSON
RICHARD H. BECKER
MATTHEW C. ALEXANDER
THOMAS WILSON

DISTRICT 19TH
COUNTIES: COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, GREENE, OTSEGO, SCHOHARI
SULLIVAN, ULSTER, PART OF BROOME, PART OF DUTCHESS, PART OF
MONTGOMERY, & PART OF RENSSALAER
CANDIDATES:
JULIAN SCHRIEBMAN
JOEL TYNER

DISTRICT 23RD
COUNTIES: ALLEGHENY, CATTARAUGUS, CHATAUQUA, CHEMUNG,
SCHUYLER, SENECA, STEUBEN, TOMPKINS, YATES, PART OF ONTARIO
& PART OF TIOGA
CANDIDATES:
NATE SHINAGAWA
MELISSA K. DOBSON
LESLIE DANKS BURKE

The Above Candidates were certified by the Board of Elections as of May 22, 2012

New York is the tail that wags the dog; we are the financial, cultural and intellectual capital of the world. We, however, have let ourselves be hijacked by deep pocket, fast talking, megalomaniacal despots, instead of standing up for what we know is right.

Time to draw that line in the sand and make sure we emerge victorious - so when the smoke clears we've gotten our state and community back.

See you at the polls, TUESDAY, JUNE 26 - DON'T KEEP THIS INFO TO YOURSELVES. PASS IT ON. MAKE IT VIRAL.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson