12/30/2008
NY's Diaz Sr. Lobs Gay-Hating Missile in Senate Leadership Wars
Above, a flyer sent out by Democratic New York Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., who hates gays and loves Pastor Rick Warren, as a response to a recent ad taken out by the Working Families Party targeting the constituencies of Sens. Diaz and Espada in the Bronx urging voters to convince their leaders to get behind majority leader Malcolm Smith.
The flyer also states, according to NY's Intelligencer, "I am still a Democrat. And I will always be a Democrat."
As for the newspaper ad, Elizabeth Benjamin of the NYDN reports: "Again, the gang's ringleader, Brooklyn Sen. Carl Kruger, is not the focus of (the ad), which comes on the heels of mailers by 32BJ to some 8,000 of its members in the Bronx. The mailers also asked recipients to call the offices of Espada and Diaz and urge a quick, pro-Smith resolution of this stalemate. It appears Smith is content to let outside interests like the WFP, the unions and the Empire State Pride Agenda turn up the heat on the renegade trio while he takes a break from negotiations. In light of the monstrous mess that undermined the last deal, perhaps this isn't such a bad idea."
If you'll remember, a deal between Smith and the "gang of three" (Diaz, Kruger, and Espada) fell apart when Smith decided his moral standing would be reduced by bargaining away civil rights because the deal hinged on same-sex marriage as a bargaining chip.
Diaz: ‘I Am Still a Democrat. And I Will Always Be a Democrat’ [intelligencer]
Outside Influences [nydn]
Previously
NY Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Clarifies Threatening Statements [tr]
New York Senate Democrat Deal Falls Apart, Smith Issues Statement [tr]
NY Senator Diaz Sr. Issues Threat to Gays as Dem Deal Breaks Down [tr]
NY's Gov Paterson: From 'Hands-On' to 'Hands-Off' on Gay Marriage [tr]
NY Gay Leaders Await Answers on Marriage Element of Dem Deal [tr]
New York Democrats Strike Deal; Same-Sex Marriage Vote Tossed [tr]
A Thanksgiving Thaw for New York Democrats? [tr]
'Rogue' NY Senate Democrats Use 'Gay Marriage' as Bargaining Chip [tr]
Posted 10:44 AM EST by Andy in Gay Marriage, Malcolm Smith, New York, News | Permalink
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Diaz is an idiot. Who votes these jokers into office? No wonder Albany is such a mess. And to add insult to injury, these guys are going to raise my already outrageously high NYS taxes -- pretty soon, I'll be paying more in state taxes than I do in Federal taxes and for this, I'm not even treated equally. Since I'm only treated as a half-citizen, how about I only pay half taxes?
Posted by: Anonymous | Dec 30, 2008 11:29:59 AM
Anon, I believe there's historical precedent for three-fifths.
Posted by: Glenn | Dec 30, 2008 11:46:22 AM
My activist blog contains a preaddressed letter to Senator Diaz that can be downloaded, emailed, and faxed to his office. I just spoke with his office, and after asking her to take down a message regarding the Senator's position on Gay Marriage, I was told the Senator doesn't have time for these "little issues".
We must act. Visit PrideandShame.com for more info and to download correspondence for the senator.
Posted by: PrideAndShame | Dec 30, 2008 12:01:38 PM
"Again, the gang's ringleader, Brooklyn Sen. Carl Kruger, is not the focus of (the ad).."
Andy,
Could you post more on Sen. Kruger?
Posted by: noah | Dec 30, 2008 12:55:42 PM
I wonder if the Jews in his district are aware that his "friend" Pastor Warren is also "friends" with anti-semites and Bashar Assad of Syria who Warren has praised?
People, strategize! Stop trying to get people pissed about the gays. Get the jews pissed and this guy will be gone pronto.
By building bridges with other communities we will win in the long run.
Posted by: Derek Washington | Dec 30, 2008 1:12:45 PM
Why are my gay dollars paying for hate mail?
Posted by: tommy | Dec 30, 2008 1:35:41 PM
I don't know Derek Washington. The jewish community might have it hands full with the backlash going on against Israel jews and Madoff breaking the bank accounts of many wealthy American jews. Oy vey!
Posted by: Madoff Took My MoneyToo | Dec 30, 2008 1:40:01 PM
This is why this idiot needs gay friends and shouldn't piss us off... the person who designed this fugly flyer is obviously straight and has an appalling lack of taste. Bright yellow background? Impact font stretched and squashed? The only worse fonts this turd could have picked would have been Arial or Comic Sans. This is an eyesore—not only in what it says but how is designed. Shame!
Posted by: Glenn | Dec 31, 2008 4:42:39 AM