Why?: Astoria repped by Onorato, aligned with Dem. minority (Monserrate, et al)

[kempsternyc]

He has been, just because he finally disagrees with ONE issue, you want the man's head.

That is not completely right.

Let me put it this way. I have always believed that those in power for a long time lose touch with the current world. And that is not just an attack on Onorato.

Yes, I am focusing on marriage equality. But, in the end, it is much greater.

I want politicians that can understand what is happening in their community and react in a positive and relevant way. And our current Senator cannot do that.

[kempsternyc]

and the large Muslim population (Big gay marriage suporters, by the way :-D)   are also part of Astoria.

hehehe....................just caught that. LOL

[paratactical]

Looking at the negative nods in this thread makes me a sad panda.

[Tracer Bullet]

That is not completely right.

Let me put it this way. I have always believed that those in power for a long time lose touch with the current world. And that is not just an attack on Onorato.

Yes, I am focusing on marriage equality. But, in the end, it is much greater.

I want politicians that can understand what is happening in their community and react in a positive and relevant way. And our current Senator cannot do that.

This is exactly the issue.

[AJTNYC]

Onerato has been a liberal all his career.

What on earth makes you think Onorato has been a liberal his entire career?  He's not pro choice on abortion, he voted to reinstate the death penalty and he's against same sex marriage.  He's an old timer in politics who's education does not extend beyond that of a High School diploma.  God bless him for that and I'm not trying to say that you have to have a brilliant education to be a good politician but I can't help but cringe when I hear some of these political jerk offs try to put a sentence together.  But I digress....I have to believe that there is someone out there in this district that is better than Onorato and I'm not just saying that because of his position on marriage equality.  The only reason he is still in office is because the overwhelming majority of people are completely and utterly apathetic when it comes to local politics.

[round2]

What on earth makes you think Onorato has been a liberal his entire career?  He's not pro choice on abortion, he voted to reinstate the death penalty and he's against same sex marriage.  He's an old timer in politics who's education does not extend beyond that of a High School diploma.  God bless him for that and I'm not trying to say that you have to have a brilliant education to be a good politician but I can't help but cringe when I hear some of these political jerk offs try to put a sentence together.  But I digress....I have to believe that there is someone out there in this district that is better than Onorato and I'm not just saying that because of his position on marriage equality.  The only reason he is still in office is because the overwhelming majority of people are completely and utterly apathetic when it comes to local politics.

Thanks for this AJTNYC - I've been wanting to see more information about Onorato's voting history.  This looks like an enlightening start.

In the past, the "old-timers" in this district have been consistent about showing up to vote.  Now it's time that we make it heard by all, including the more recent residents of the district that we pay a price for not engaging in local electoral politics.  This is a great time to become involved - as the over-quoted saying goes: think globally, act locally.

[lanseaux]

Here is Oronato's complete voting record.  The same link also has his interest group ratings.

I think there are a number of potential candidates and I'd be shocked if one (or more) don't step up.  Should be for an interesting 2010!

I hope you are right, and I am also interested in hearing your take on who some of these candidates may be.  I also hope that people who are energized now will stay interested and actually vote in 2010.

[TRX]

Here is Oronato's complete voting record.  The same link also has his interest group ratings.

Thanks.
The Civil Rights ratings, not so good.   :|

[round2]

Onorato was a good old-school labor guy, watched the interests of the working folks.  Surely it is possible to find good candidates in this district who can maintain those priorities while protecting a woman's right to choice, and commitment to civil rights and equality.

[hikaruhana]

Like a lot of other people on this board, I was really inspired and moved by Senator Savino's floor speech on Wednesday.  I just found out she grew up in Astoria.  Check it out in this NY Magazine interview here:

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/12/state_sen_diane_savino_gay_rig.html

I knew there was something special about her  :-)

[JoeyC]

hehehe....................just caught that. LOL

Thank you, thank you.   :rock:

Seriously, they are voting, and are a growing population.  I wonder how  a gay bar or club would do on Steinway between 25th and 28th avenue?   I got a friend who hangs in Egyption club up there, I think I'll tell him one is opening, I'll report back on his reaction. Believe, it will be interesting.  Compared to him on gay stuff, I'm Michael Musto. 

[AJTNYC]

Thank you, thank you.   :rock:

Seriously, they are voting, and are a growing population.  I wonder how  a gay bar or club would do on Steinway between 25th and 28th avenue?   I got a friend who hangs in Egyption club up there, I think I'll tell him one is opening, I'll report back on his reaction. Believe, it will be interesting.  Compared to him on gay stuff, I'm Michael Musto. 

Oh Joey please, of course a gay bar or club would not survive on Steinway between 25th and 28th ave...that's why all the gay closeted muslims in Queens (no pun intended) run around the corner to Mix on 30th ave or Lavish or Jackson Heights.... :-P  and yes i hope they vote....their conscience.

[TRX]

I just found out she grew up in Astoria.  Check it out in this NY Magazine interview here:

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/12/state_sen_diane_savino_gay_rig.html

:mrgreen:

That profile is so much cooler than I expected.
Does it persuade you to move to SI?

Okay. So what else is important to you in your job right now?
Dealing with next year's budget crisis. This deficit-reduction act (the Senate passed yesterday) is just a prelude to next year. We are going to have to make some really difficult decisions about cutting spending that we all have to care about it. Everyone is going to have to suffer a little.

Well, okay, you had an intense day. How will you chill out tonight?
I'm going to meet Matt and his partner, and we're going to have dinner and commiserate on the failure of this vote. We're going to Enoteca Maria, where every night a woman from a different region of Italy is the cook.

You're cool. Do you want a boyfriend?
Why, are you asking me out?

http://www.statenislandusa.com/pages/ft_wadsworth.html

[MLE]

You know, just once, I'd like to see this conversation (and many others) on this board not break down into "those of us who moved here in the last 10 years are so much more enlightened and liberal than those Old Timey Astorians." I know this might be shocking, but it is possible to be a fifth generation resident of the neighborhood and support gay marriage. I am really sick of people who have lived here for all of five minutes telling me what kind of person I am, just because they have some image in their heads of what a person native to Astoria is like (as opposed to what "Astorians" are like). We don't need a new senator because Onorato is out of touch with the "changing demographics" of the neighborhood-- we need a new senator because Onorato is out of touch, period.

[round2]

You know, just once, I'd like to see this conversation (and many others) on this board not break down into "those of us who moved here in the last 10 years are so much more enlightened and liberal than those Old Timey Astorians." I know this might be shocking, but it is possible to be a fifth generation resident of the neighborhood and support gay marriage. I am really sick of people who have lived here for all of five minutes telling me what kind of person I am, just because they have some image in their heads of what a person native to Astoria is like (as opposed to what "Astorians" are like). We don't need a new senator because Onorato is out of touch with the "changing demographics" of the neighborhood-- we need a new senator because Onorato is out of touch, period.

I really appreciate your posting, MLE.  Your point out an extremely important fact for this discussion.  It is not helpful to paint any group with a broad brush, making sweeping generalizations.  We run the risk of creating unhelpful polarization within the community, when what would serve us all would be to build and develop our existing points of connection.  I think what some have in mind is as much a generational difference of beliefs as it is about background and geography.  For heaven's sake - I grew up in Alabama, myself.