The Smugtown Beacon
10- Ways Metro Rochester Can Regain Its Greatness
We at the Smugtown Beacon have become adept at
pointing out to you, the reader, what's wrong with Greater Rochester,
and New York State. We do this not to revel in negativity, but to call 'em as we see 'em.
We are straight shooters, and proud of it. Yet this article will... take
a slightly different approach than many I have written. I will attempt
to trumpet assets we Rochesterians still retain, and how we may parlay
our historical genius and penchant for innovation, to create a better
future for Metropolitan Rochester. Read More ...
Christopher J. Wilmot
www.smugtownbeacon.com
Non-partisan governmental & political watchdog - Our fresh analysis fills in the gaps of mainstream media's inepititude in covering today's issues.
The Smugtown Beacon
Iran Takes Over an Iraqi Oil Field: Response from the West? Deafening Silence
Just days after Iran's Islamic dictatorship test fired
another 1,200 mile-range nuclear missile, with an advanced nuclear
detonation device, Iranian troops have invaded Iraqi territory, and
taken over the Fakka oil field, at least 300 meters in...side the
sovereign nation of Iraq. However, this is not an isolated event:
According to Radio Free Europe, and an Iraqi governmental spokesperson,
this is the fourth or fifth time Iranian troops have attacked this particular oil field in the last year !
When, oh, when, will the U.S., NATO, and Israel finally find the
courage to stand up to Iran, and initiate a pre-emptive, conventional
weapons attack on this terrorist nation, to save Israel, Central &
Western Europe, and Iraq's fledgling democracy? Read More ...
www.smugtownbeacon.com
Non-partisan governmental & political watchdog - Our fresh analysis fills in the gaps of mainstream media's inepititude in covering today's issues.
The Smugtown Beacon
Ideology Schmideology: Why Party Lines Get Blurred
Democrats and Republicans spend a great deal of time arguing over
differences in philosophy. Republicans are the party of small
government and tight-fisted finances; Democrats are the party of
diversity, transparency and "little d" democracy. But if that's the
case, why doe...s it seem like politicians throw those philosophies out
the window the minute they take office? The answer depends on where you
sit: the Oval office, Albany or downtown Rochester.
Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon
Village of Brockport: A Study in Waste and Cowardice
While our bankrupt municipal neighbors to the west in
the Buffalo, Niagara County, and Cattaraugus County regions are showing
immense courage in winnowing down, and even dissolving unnecessary
layers of government; like villages, the story is quite a bit different
in 'ol...d school' Monroe County--especially in the Village of Brockport. Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon
10 Reasons for Smugtowners to be Optimistic
The Smugtown Beacon
is not completely stone-hearted when it comes to the fate of the
Rochester region and New York State. Inside, 10 reasons for Smugtown
residents to look on the sunny side (despite the usually overcast
December weather).
Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon Hey Smugtown Fans! Checkout our new TV commercial tonight on FOX News at 7:50pm! Channel 57 on Time Warner Cable!
The Smugtown Beacon
In Support of Same-Sex Marriage
Albany Legislators, never in a mood to deny NY State
taxpayers additional tax increases, the other day decided to deny
several million New Yorkers the right to marry. Why? Because the
cowards that run the State of NY, in Albany, are so afraid of what H.L.
Mencken called the Booboisie (a.k.a.... Bourgeoisie), Mencken's
discourteous yet at times accurate description of the ignorant middle
class, that Albany politicians pander to, and because of their fear of
the 'voting' middle class, decided to deny gay and lesbian New Yorkers
the same marital rights afforded 'straight' couples. But what if some
of the individuals that make up those so called 'straight couples' are
bi-sexual? Should their marriage licenses be rescinded, and their
marriages annulled? Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon
Local & National Media Manipulation: Putting People in the Buying (and Protective) Mood
From CNN & Fox News Channel, to your favorite
local TV network affiliate, the push is on, to encourage millions of
under-employed, and newly unemployed, to buy worthless crap at their
local retailer, deluding themselves into thinking th...eir friends,
family, and children need this junk, for--Christmas. Also,
TIME Magazine's most recent cover story is a negative critique (it's
about time!) of "Helicopter Parents", and their overly protective
ways. As noted Linguist and frequent media critic Noam Chomsky (of
M.I.T.) is fond of saying, "Television is in the business of delivering
audiences to advertisers." I couldn't have said it better. Read More ...
www.smugtownbeacon.com
Non-partisan governmental & political watchdog - Our fresh analysis fills in the gaps of mainstream media's inepititude in covering today's issues.
The Smugtown Beacon
A Modest Counterproposal for Senator Robach
Recently Sen. Joseph Robach announced that he will push the Senate to
adopt a resolution encouraging every county in Upstate New York to hold
a vote soliciting their support for some form of independence or
autonomy for the Upstate region. The vote would be non-binding -- but
it i...s certain never to happen, given the expressed opposition of
leaders of both chambers. The Smugtown Beacon proposes a more direct
approach that could potentially have even greater impact.
Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon Check out our new TV commercial! It started airing on 13WHAM-TV news, CNN, YNN, MSNBC & FOX News in the Rochester Time Warner market. Please tell us what you think!
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The Smugtown Beacon
2010 Political Predictions (and Wishes): Duffy & Brooks Stay Put; Morelle and Gantt Face Primaries
Rumor mills, and the 'newspaper of record', the New
York Times, have Mayor Duffy vying for Lt. Governor under Andrew Cuomo
next year. Why in the hell would Duffy want to travel between Albany
and Rochester (and everywhere e...lse in NY State) instead of remaining
Mayor in his home town? Maggie Brooks is also rumored for bigger and
better things, Albany style. Unless she and Mike Green put Robutrad
firmly behind her, what chance does she have? And isn't it long, long
past time to find some gutsy, well financed Democrats to primary
Morelle and Gantt? Stay tuned for the prediction mill. Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon
Election 2009: Where Did Rochester's Voters Go?
What do Iraq's Anbar Province, Afghanistan's Kandahar Province and Rochester have in common? All have had challenges getting people motivated to vote. In Iraq and Afghanistan, voters were dissuaded from voting for two major reasons: a (quite valid) belief that the system w...as corrupt and the chance of losing their head -- literally. Rochester's voters did not face a Taliban threat and no one questions the integrity of the election process locally. What's going on? A look at some numbers with a healthy dose of speculation....
Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon
Greater Rochester: The Next Youngstown, OH, or Toronto, Ont.?
Smugtown's new hero, NY Governor David Paterson, is
threatening to force the State Legislature to do some actual work, and
close a projected mid-year deficit of about $3.2 billion. But let's
say Paterson gets his wish, and he invokes his 'Executive Power' to
su...persede the lame and bought-off State Legislature. Paterson will
have accomplished much, yet it's only the tip of the iceberg. If
Albany, Monroe County, and the City of Rochester do not begin to
reign-in costs, and lower taxes, we'll follow the path of urban
wastelands like Detroit or Youngstown, Ohio; instead of more closely
replicating our northwestern neighbor, prosperous Toronto. Read More ...
www.smugtownbeacon.com
Non-partisan governmental & political watchdog - Our fresh analysis fills in the gaps of mainstream media's inepititude in covering today's issues.
The Smugtown Beacon
School Segregation As Suburban Necessity
A friend of mine, newly elected Rochester City School
District (RCSD) Board member Van H. White, claims the RCSD has made
significant strides, academically, and in terms of graduation rates, in
the last few years. He's correct, but only to an extent. The fact is,
the attitudes and ...behaviors that really run Monroe County--and
America--are the behaviors and beliefs that low income children, of any
race or ethnicity, cannot, and will not be allowed to 'contaminate' our
mostly 'Lilly White' suburban school districts, here in Greater
Rochester, and around the nation. Why else do the suburbs exist, and
hence rule the country? Read More ...
The Smugtown Beacon
Doniger's Health Department Fumbles H1N1 -- An Ill Omen for Monroe County?
By the end of Thursday's flu clinics in Monroe county, the
story in the media was the expected one: after a rough start, things
went smoothly and residents of Monroe County were able to get their
vaccines. But under the gloss of fawning media, a mor...e skeptical look
should be taken at wunderkind Dr. Andrew Doniger's handling of the clinics.
