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Photograph of Espada hugging it out from former majority leader Malcolm Smith by Hans Pennink/AP
Forget it, New York. It's just Albany. That's what we're thinking as the five week State Senate stalemate circus has ended with the State Senator who represents the Bronx but may actually live in Westchester and who is under investigation for a number of questionable dealings is now our new Senate majority leader. That's right, Espada, who left the Democrats to gain power by aligning with the Republicans, decided to rejoin the Democratic fold, after being assured of a powerful position—PolitickerNY calls him a triple-crosser while the Post sums things up as "SLEAZY DOES IT IN COUP PART 2." The Daily News' Juan Gonzalez's column headline: "Albany back-stabber Pedro Espada comes out ahead in senate stalemate that shut down state."
Espada said in a press conference yesterday, "It was never about power, but about empowerment." One Bronx resident told the Post, "He changes sides as much as he changes underwear. These guys have no backbone." Oh, the Post also notes, "Senate majority leaders get an additional $41,000 on top of their 'base' $79,500-a-year salary, as well as the right to hire dozens of patronage employees." Senator John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), who will be head of the Democratic caucus, also said in the presser, "To all 19.5 million people in the state of New York, we apologize. ometimes you have a dysfunctional family, dysfunctional family members, but at the end of the day, we understand that we are all one family and we are all home now. Home to stay." Barf. As for Senator Malcolm Smith, he'll be president pro tempore until December.
With the stalemate over, the Senate starting passing bills, including hiking sales tax in NYC by 0.5%. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to regain control of the school system.
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"As little as possible."
New Yorkers deserve this. You voted for these idiots and you sat by while this whole thing played out and did nothing. Good for you!
I didn't vote for Espada or any of the people involved in this. The question is will Espada's constituents vote the asshole out? And, if the Dems win more seats in the Senate so they don't need Espada any longer, will they boot his ass or push for charges on all the crimes he's likely guilty of?
Maybe you didn't vote for Espada but if you're a new yorker and you voted, you put some jerkoff in Albany who went along with this charade.
bs - the system is corrupt - we don't deserve this - the only way to not be screwed is violent revolt or be corrupt yourself....
I sick of this of adolescent black and white view that somehow people deserve corrput goverments - They have ALL the power - the people have NONE of the power. Outside of rioting I dont see what the masses can do to put them out of power.
no.
People get the government they deserve. Your right, there is no black and white here, and that applies to your "either be corrupt or do nothing" view as well.
Whats that silly thing called...... ooh yea, pick up a newspaper, watch the news once in awhile... and vote the idiots out of office. and put in someone who isn't corrupt. But sadly, that may be too much to ask for most New Yorkers.
So see... we get the government we deserve.
correction..
I meant "either riot or do nothing"
my bad. my point still stands though
This is a very poor argument and I'm calling BS on it.
It's like saying Iran deserves Ahmadinejad, Darfur deserves their government - NO ONE deserves a corrupt leader whether they voted them in or not.
How often have great hopes (not saying Espada ever was) turned around and stabbed their people in the backs - all too often. Those people didn't deserve it. People can turn corrupt at any point.
"My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference."
-Harry S. Truman.
I hear that in Honduras, they are proposing to build a new capital city in the jungle and it will be named Albany.
Tegucibany?
Albangalpa?
MOTHERFUCKER. He blackmailed the Senate Democrats and they actually gave in to his demands.
Yup, that's absolutely the worst part. Any bets someone else will try this soon. "If it worked for that fucker..."
His name don't mean Peter Sword in spanish fer nuttin.
"To all 19.5 million people in the state of New York, we apologize."
So, if I decide to stop paying my taxes, can I just issue an apology to these shithead lawmakers and be done with it?
This guy will get 'Alpha Dog of the Week' for sure.
Ugh! This whole thing is just disgusting. He's being investigated for several violations, so let's put him in charge. Smart.
And is it just me, or does that pic look like a still photo from GOODFELLAS?
if it smells like garbage, its probably garbage.
the whole place is a dump anyway, Peter Sword will fit in just fiiiiiiine
Totally goodfellas. The fat fingers, the ring, the hair - it all makes me want to vommit in my mouth.
The whole lot of them are an embarrassment.
Un-freaking-believable. I'm glad Espada gets a $41,000 raise; he's really earned it (please note heavy, heavy sarcasm).
Cuomo really needs to get on the ball. Indict this jackass and we can kill two birds with one stone.
Seriously, Cuomo! You've got my vote for governor if you can get rid of this piece of shit Peter Sword. I don't understand how he gets re-elected in the first place and which is worse, him, or his constituents!!!
He'll just use his new post to get pork for his district and ensure they continue to vote for him for years to come. Ladies and Gentlemen, the new Sheldon Silver.
Watch for Palin-Espada in 2012.
HA!
Failin-Sword 2012
Majority Leader or not, the Manhattan Young Democrats are wholeheartedly selling "Don't For Pedro" t-shirts (ala Napoleon Dynamity) gomyd.com
"Don't Vote For Pedro" The Manhattan Young Democrats can also construct complete sentences.
The Manhattan Young Democrats can also spell "Dynamite"
Well, that's very brave of the Manhattan Young Democrats. Instead of selling "clever" t-shirts, wouldn't it be better for those young, connected Democrats to talk to their Bronx counterparts and get someone to run against Espada in the primary next year? I mean, they can sell all the shirts they want but unless there's an alternative, or Espada gets indicted and convicted, he's going to be re-elected next fall.
What I don't understand is that Democrats were fine with Pedro Espada until recently. It wasn't until he helped the Republicans in the coup that most people started caring about where he lives or his character. He's still a Democrat. If it wasn't for problems in the Democratic party, none of this would have happened.
Espada is King of All Scumbags.
What a complete waste of flesh and blood.
Perfect example of why abortion is sometimes the best answer.
Let's vote all of these pieces of shit out!!!!
Don't forget these names when its time to vote.
i thought that was gonna be a poem or haiku or someshit.
now what am i supposed to do with this boner?
Love,
Boner
lemon party?
From Street Boss to Capo. Shouldn't he get a cake or something?
Espada is a disgrace
Pedro shouldn't even be a senator!
Espada is a disgrace