Scarecrows and Lions

This Fred Dicker column in the NY Post reveals State leaders' fears that government will grind to a halt if there is a tie in State Senate.
Two questions:
1. Is that necessarily a bad thing?
2. Wouldn't this mean that Senators would actually have to vote on the merits of a particular piece of legislation rather than blindly following the orders of the party leader?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08112008/news/columnists/pols_fearing_a_senate_tie_bind_123957.htm

Money crunch

The links below will take you to three stories about New York's fiscal crisis.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--patersonrising0807aug07,0,3264380.story

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS02/808080387/1026/NEWS10

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/409783.html

Are this guy's 15 minutes up

As with most radio talk show hosts, this one often seems to care more about building ratings, inflaming his audience, focusing the spotlight on himself and making money than promoting thoughtful discussion.

Here is a link to a You Tube posting of comments about autism made by radio talk show host Michael Savage last month. http://www.emaxhealth.com/119/23332.html

Below is a response from Jawonio’s Diana Hess.
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200808030230/OPINION/808030319

This link takes you to a long statement and links to radio clips of interviews Michale Savage has conducted regarding autism. In audio cut number 5 Savage back pedals on original comment in this discussion with Wendy Fournier, President of the National Autism Association. http://www.savageonautism.com/

Beginning to Face the Issue

Governor Paterson turns up the heat on Legislative Leaders in this NY Daily News article.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/08/01/2008-08-01_may_hike_taxes_but_not_pols_pay__gov-2.html

The stories below provide two views of how state leaders will address the pending fiscal problems.
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080804/NEWS01/808040303/1001/NEWS

http://www.nysun.com/editorials/silvers-not-buying-the-act/83104/