Sasha's 2018 Democratic Primary Picks

I'll post this on Facebook later in the week or on Primary Day (Thursday) as I see fit, but here are my primary choices for the 2018 New York Democratic Primary, by district/office:

NOTE: These are not formal endorsements, but candidates that I wanted to see win their races. I am in no position of power to endorse nor would I want to formally do so.

For Governor: Andrew Cuomo.

While I have had my qualms with the governor (he hasn't tackled the state's regulatory environment, hasn't cared enough about transportation and telecom issues, has cared little for ethics reform, loves flashy press etc), he's a steady leader that has been running a state the size of a small European nation for the last few years now. I can't see him running for another term, so let him retire on a high note. He’s also got the Times’ endorsement, which surprises me. His opponent, Cynthia Nixon, while will probably do well in the primary, has struggled to gain the necessary traction and like someone else on this list, is a one-issue candidate, New York City. (NOTE: Despite the NYS Democratic Committee’s disgusting and blatantly misleading flyer on Nixon which became an issue over the weekend, I still want to see Cuomo win but the party also owes Nixon a huge apology). If Stephanie Miner were the Democrat’s standard bearer, it would be her, but since leaving the party and running for Governor, she’s moved to the right. 

For Lieutenant Governor: Kathy Hochul.
While also not perfect, she's more grounded than her opponent for the LG's office, While I strongly admire Jumaane Williams for his advocacy work, he's not without controversy, and the thought of a purely downstate ticket is nauseating. This is where voting on the NYSDC ticket is worthwhile. Williams will be a great NYC mayoral candidate one of these years, or a State Senate seat if anything opens up.

For Attorney General: Zephyr Teachout.
This is the year that Zephyr Teachout will shed her perennial candidate status and come out on top. I've always been a fan of hers and I want to be delighted when she wins to the chagrin on the Governor. This is where I disagree with my former county chair: I don't think Tish James is the better candidate. I want an independent AG, not someone from the Cuomo camp. I don’t care what Cuomo’s preferred ticket is, I think Teachout, despite having never been an elected official, would be perfect for the job as she’s a legal encyclopedia and is probably one of the most ethically minded people out there. Also, she’s got the Times endorsement, not to mention the Daily News. Can’t go wrong there.

For Comptroller: Tom DiNapoli
Um, I don't know why he's here. He's running unopposed, and as a result won’t be on the ballot. Still, the longtime head of the state's financial health has done a good job, has been a good steward of the state’s pension fund and the fact he's got an pseudo-vote of confidence from John Faso of all people speaks volumes. 

For State Senate:

Senate District 11: John Liu.
First on our list of IDC challengers is John Liu. Liu is challenging IDCer Tony Avella. Liu came within 1000 votes of defeating Avella in 2014. I think Liu, a former city comptroller candidate and current City Councilmember, has a clear shot. Props to Liu for willing to give up the cushiness of the NYC Council pay. 

Senate District 13: Jessica Ramos.
See above. Jose Peralta is another IDCer and with some lofty endorsements but despite that, I feel Ramos has a great sho, and her endorsements echo that. Also, as a lifelong city resident, she doesn't have her license. If she wins, she'll be a frequent rider on Amtrak. Outside of that, Ramos has a great platform combining social and economic justice.

Senate District 17; Blake Morris.
Take out Simcha Felder, and you take out the IDC's core. While Felder isn't a member of the IDC, he caucuses with the Republicans and that's bad enough. Felder has no support from any Democratic group and in fact the party denounced him at the convention at the beginning of the summer. If SD-17 voters are concerned about Morris' background, he is Jewish, and his statement regarding the passing of Felder’s mother-in-law was really gracious. I've seen Morris' campaign lit and advertising and he's the man to beat, not to mention an endorsement from the NY Times.

Senate District 18: Julia Salazar.
Despite her confusing background, Julia's heart is in the right place. Her platform is spot-on, and she's trying to be the next Alexandia Ocasio-Cortez. That said, I wish she would acknowledge that she's made some mistakes with her biography. On the other hand, unless the Republican challenger for SD-18 is moderate enough, Salazar would be a shoe-in. She has an interesting narrative and I’d take someone who’s background is unclear versus someone who is . Our views change constantly; my youngest brothers were Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama fans and now are some of the biggest Trump & Alex Jones supporters out there.

Senate District 20: Zellnor Myrie.

Jesse Hamilton is a former IDCer. Show him the door. In 2018, incumbency is corrosive. Myrie has just as strong a platform as his incumbent, if not moreso. Myrie also has a Times endorsement.

Senate District 22: Ross Barkan.
I'm not with the local Dems on this one. Andrew Gounardes might be a good guy, but to have an ex-journalist will help keep the Legislature honest. That said, showing Marty Golden the door is most important, and I'll take someone I don't like in the primary over an incumbent. Also, Greek-Americans have done well in the Legislature. 

Senate District 23: No endorsement.

Robinson's race is the trickiest. Diane Savino is highly popular in her district and when you keep in mind Staten Island's makeup, it's a bad mix. By default I want the IDC out, but don't be surprised if Savino wins. Also, Robinson had some issues in her petitioning, so I can't see that making her any friends. Savino is a perfect fit for her district, and since she’s in Staten Island, is the closest thing to a Democrat that they will see. 

Senate District 31: Robert Jackson.

Marisol Alcanta's move to join the IDC for district gains was a foolish move. Show her the door.

Senate District 34: Alessandra Biaggi. 

I could go on for hours as to why I like her. From her name to her background (from a political family) to her professional background, Biaggi would be competitive even if she wasn't running against the IDC's brain. But she is running against IDC brain Jeff Klein, and without saying this is hers to lose, especially when you keep Klein's misconduct allegations in mind. I won't hold her having served for Hillary's campaign and her role as an administration official in Cuomo's office against her. Her endorsements are a laundry list of everyone except for the current State Senate, so she’s got a huge chance.

Senate District 38: Julie Goldberg.

I admit that years ago I drank the David Carlucci Kool-Aid. It tasted good. Young, fairly attractive, cute family, his wife is a teacher, you name it. But it's 2018 and he's overstayed his welcome. If he loses his primary, 

Senate District 42: Jen Metzger.
I voted for Pramilla Malick back in 2016 because she was the Democratic candidate, but I hope not to again. Her focus on #NeverCuomo and CPV is unproductive and unbeneficial. Furthermore, I'm really impressed with Jen's campaign and can't think of anyone better to represent the district. While Pramilla Malick has a litany of friends in the environmental movement, she’s demonstrated a level of pettiness and nasty behavior that I would only expect from a Republican candidate. 

Senate District 53: Rachel May.

Not the Glens Falls Rachael May of TV fame! While David Valesky's background as a SUNY Potsdam grad would normally make me support him, #NoIDC.

The Ivanoff Report is Coming Back....

...and to paraphase an MTA advertising campaign from the late 1980s, so should you!

Since I've had enough people ask me recently about the blog, including close family and friends, I thought I could figure out a way to continue to write on here and also maintain my writing space on The Odyssey Online, which is where I've been writing lately.

The bigger question is this: am I up to the challenge?

My Thoughts: Bernie vs Hillary

As we enter the beginning of the end of the primary season I cannot begin to fathom just how messed up the United States is. We're a country that seems to like and have an obsession with power (and to a similar extent, greed).

Despite Bernie Sanders' recent poll numbers looking very good as of recent, the mainstream press still considers Hillary a shoe-in. Take this piece from my former NBC affiliate via CNN:

"I am also a Democrat and have been a proud Democrat all my adult life," Clinton said. "And I think that is kind of important if we are selecting someone to be the Democratic nominee of the Democratic Party."

Madam Secretary, let's keep this in mind: the Democratic party has strayed from the days of FDR. Your friend, Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been considered the worst leader of the Democratic National Committee in its modern history. Your husband's years as president continued America's manufacturing downward spiral, which only became worse thanks to NAFTA.

A few days ago on a blog site, Trever LaFauci wrote a counterargument to Matt Taibbi's counter to Rolling Stone magazine's endorsement of Hillary (saying that it isn't the time to choose someone like Bernie Sanders). Here's what my fellow millennial doesn't quite grasp: Hillary has been on the wrong side of history quite frequently. Among independents (the voters who can swing an election) she's wildly unpopular. Unpopular candidates don't win general elections. They lose them, and badly. Trever, smears, while questionable can be argued on their validity, hold merit and Americans buy those smears. And as for your questions towards Bernie Sanders that the press has refused to ask, well, some of them have been asked. He opposed bailing out Wall Street, not the auto industry, even though the bailout went towards the auto makers. The same argument has been made against many of his votes. And I think Bernie knows that universal healthcare won't be accomplished in one term. But the facts are there: the current system, even with Obamacare, is still broken.

Okay, all in Bernieland isn't perfect. His ideas are a little overwhelming in a country used to self-reliance. And my girlfriend is partially correct in saying that Bernie's supporters are a lot like Donald Trump's supporters. Several of them have tried sending messages of disgust to Democratic superdelegates, behavior I do not condone. And when it comes to Bernie himself, he is the worst of politicians when it comes to giving a straight answer.

Here's what everyone forgets to understand: no situation like the one America is going through right now can stay permanent. The cracks have been showing for years now (hint: Occupy Wall Street). The Russian nobility didn't take heed, socialist revolutionaries took the upper hand after some time and heads rolled. Yes, I'm comparing Nicholas II to America's 1%.

Jann Werner (the publisher of Rolling Stone) forgets to note that 2016 is not like 1972. McGovern was a weak candidate. The problem is me and other liberals feel that Hillary is too vulnerable, despite the polls. I question the judgement of my fellow Americans in that they would let a self-fulfilling prophecy happen, in letting another Clinton administration into the White House. This is an argument I have an issue with this:

Clinton is far more likely to win the general election than Sanders. The voters who have rallied to Sanders during the primaries are not enough to generate a Democratic majority in November. Clinton will certainly bring them along, and add them to the broad coalition that Democrats have put together in the past to take the presidency, as did Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Interesting. Real Clear Politics has a different take: The polls have shown (yes, surprisingly) that Bernie has the upper hand. I'm in the position right now that the Republicans will have a brokered convention and either John Kasich, Ted Cruz (both who are still in right now and I can see getting the nomination, as Trump would sink the party and Republicans aren't that stupid) or it could be even Paul Ryan. In case of Kasich (which is highly realistic) Clinton would lose badly. This is not the time in history for a "protest vote." This isn't a protest vote. This is the concerns about the fact that Hillary isn't all that electable. There are people who simply won't vote for Hillary, and I don't blame them. (Now if the Democrats draft Elizabeth Warren, I think MANY people would flock to support her, both Bernie and Hillary supporters. Crazy shit comes out of brokered conventions).

Recently Uruguayans had a dream president. José Mujica by one account left Uruguay in very good shape, with a stronger economy, drug problems partially addressed through the legalization of marijuana and with a popularity that many South American presidents could only dream of. I would hope that a Bernie Sanders presidency does the same thing to the United States. Us young people are inheriting a country that's on the verge of collapse, both figuratively and literally. 2016 is a year that politics are not the usual, and the establishment has been ignoring that.

And as I close this blog post, I'm not the only person who feels this way. 

Has The World Gone Nuts?

Our Insanity is Letting the Terrorists Win

By Sasha Ivanoff

For the Ivanoff Report

Late last week the sheriff of Ulster County, New York proposed every citizen that has a pistol permit to start carrying it as (in my eye) a way of fending terrorists off. The message boards are showing that my fellow Americans are resorting to infantile coping methods. We are much better than this as a nation. If anything, the fact that ISIL can have this much of an effect on this country is a little frightening, and I know that sounds hypocritical coming from me.

Since the Paris attacks and the tragic shootings in Colorado and San Bernadino, California, America has been in a state of panic. When is the next attack going to happen? Is there a way to protect us? (And if you're a Republican, you're probably saying “We told you that President Obama couldn't keep us safe”. Don't remind me that the Democrats are already at a disadvantage going into next year's elections (my dissatisfaction over this nation's perpetual state of campaigning is already something I am far from thrilled with, and that's another blog entry). Well, for those Republicans out there: as far as I read, there was absolutely no indication and no intelligence to suggest such an attack was bound to happen. However, Americans live in a state of fear of even a feather falling on them.

And to add, there are Republicans who are arguing that not only could the attacks been prevented, that the whole notion of insulting people who have been praying for those who have been injured and those who lost loved ones in these massacres is demeaning. However, I am siding with the op-ed writers in this regard. If the GOP wants to propose doing something, how about this? Close off our nation's border altogether. Prohibit foreigners from coming to visit, to study as exchange students, to work on a green card, you name it. (UPDATE: Donald Trump on Monday proposed exactly what I said. Slick move for the Donald).

There is a lot that this nation can do to combat ISIL, and some of it doesn't even involve military action. We can explore the reasons behind ISIL's sudden rise to power and understand how our foreign policy can alienate nations who we call allies.

The Pitfalls of a Cheap Laptop

In middle school I used a device called an AlphaSmart. The AlphaSmart was a handheld word processing device with a tiny black and white screen, a keyboard and room for AA batteries. All being said, the AlphaSmart was a one use device: only designed for word processing. The HP Sttream 11 can do more than just word processing, but I primarily bought it for that purpose. And while die hard gamers would call it a toy, I consider it a computer I would feel comfortable giving a child. In the long term I plan to buy a better ultralight laptop, but for the time being, the HP Stream is a fine device. I have my audio and video on a portable hard drive, so the lack of space doesn't entirely bother me. For the first time in ages, I'm writing again. I love it.

The machine's specs are a 11 inch 1366x768 screen, an Intel Celeron N2840 processor, a non-removable 32GB SSD drive and 2GB or DDR3L RAM. For ports you get a headphone jack, 2 USB ports including 1 USB 3.0 port, an HDMI port (full size to boot) and a full size SD card reader (the 13'' Stream and most of these Chromebook-killers have microSD ports. You also get 802.11 b/g/n networking and Bluetooth. I'm not sure how much everything weighs including the adapter, but it's light enough that my back isn't in excruciating pain when I get back from work.

In my real world usage, I've found that this laptop surprisingly starts up quicker than stated by the major tech websites and magazines. For me, a start takes about fifteen seconds from pressing the power button to the desktop coming up. That's about how long it takes my desktop at home to start and my aging Dell Latitude to start, which is acceptable.

However, the Stream does have its drawbacks, all of them annoying. If you have a huge inbox like I do with Gmail, forget about having an email client on your machine. This is a machine truly designed for streaming, not as an independent unit; however the machine is a bit less dependent on the Internet than the Chromebooks. However, when you include the recovery software and a full Windows 10 install, you're down to less than 10GB of hard disk storage. A nice touch to the notebook is that the keyboard feels really nice, and feedback on the keys is what you would find on a machine twice the price. While the battery life is impressive, it isn't as great as I was hoping, as I don't get much more than six hours out on a charge. That being said, the professional reviewers have said the laptop's battery performs as advertised.

For years, the major tech magazines and news outlets have been predicting the demise of the computer. With a new generation of computers and hybrid tablets on the market, the PC market I think is poised to make somewhat of a comeback. And while all of us (myself included) use the cloud, there are limits to the cloud and I see the home desktop at the hub of the home.

Here begs this question: when can I get another, and one with better specs? There is definitely a market for low-end Ultrabooks. For quick and dirty jobs, the Stream definitely fits the bill. And 

UPDATE: Since I first wrote this article, I bought a slightly faster and better Dell. Slower processor in regards to clock speed, but faster than the older HP. And the black color is WAY more professional. Another USB port couldn't hurt, too! The Dell has it's pros and cons. With the Dell the RAM and battery are removable, but the hard disk is still not upgradeable and its a pound heavier. That pound and very slightly newer hardware does allow for another hour of battery life.

Who would have thought twenty years ago we would have $200 notebooks?

Updates from the Sashmeister

Guys,

Sorry it's been so long since I did an update but I'll have some updates for you guys in the next few weeks.

Sasha

Sasha's commentary for June 1, 2015: Lots of Little Catch-Ups

Since I've read a lot of articles in the last few weeks and I've gotten a kick out of them, I thought I would share my feelings on them.

• Ghosting in dating I believe is a huge problem. Ghosting is when one partner or both disappear after starting to date: the ceasing of communications altogether, etc. It bothers me that my generation has commitment issues. As it turns out, I'm not the only person to feel this way. A blogger and US News & World Report have discussed the phenomena in detail. I value true and honest communication, and I don't think that should be a big deal.
• Apparently, hot girls can't get boyfriends. Elite Daily has really good articles, and I have to agree with them on these points. What I walked away with from reading this article: talk to a hot girl and don't be intimidated?
• Caitlyn Cannon might have the most clever quote on a high school yearbook. "I need feminism because I intend on marrying rich and I can't do that if my wife and I are making .75 cent for every dollar a man makes." Well, let the controversy live long as she proves a good point. I take other issues, but oh well, forget me. She's a narcissist only because she wants to marry rich. 
• Marty Jennings isn't the only person in the tri-state area that fixes TV's. In a few weeks I'll discuss how I (without photos, pissed I never took them) of how I repaired the power supply in an LCD TV. I saved $200 by not having to buy a new one. I believe that we live in an era where we throw stuff out and don't bother fixing them. And one company is at the forefront of this.
• Economic equality is something we should pursue because it's the right thing and benefits everyone, and this cartoon illustrates that fact.
• Bottled water in itself is an issue. VOSS is the tip of the iceberg, no pun intended.
• Let mermaids be mermaids: they're beautiful creatures, and in some cases, a cute 20-something mom from Edmonton.
• Where did Amtrak go wrong? In a (near)-perfect world, private operators would be operating passenger trains in the United States. But it was designed to fail, and that's not fair for the wonderful men and women who keep Amtrak carrying Americans coast-to-coast, from small towns to big cities. Amtrak needs the tools to thrive, and I hope that the derailment back in May in Philadelphia is the start of a national debate on passenger rail. Trains are not from a bygone era. For me, it's more convenient to take the train than fly. And if my plans change, Amtrak's reservation and refund policies are generous.
• While I support breastfeeding, I don't think six year olds need to be breastfed. Last I checked, six year olds have sharp teeth. And this girl's mom is 52? What happened to having kids in your 20s? Am I the only person who believes its healthy to start a family in your 20s?
• So how do I end up in one of these mature, adult relationships? Some of these seem simply right and rational. Why couples don't practices these behaviors, like discussing the future and disregarding feelings of jealousy because you can trust the other person.
• I first heard about David MacDonald's FlamingoAir operation in Cinncinati, OH in an Airways Magazine article back in 2002 (by the way Airways, you guys have failed me and I'm not resubscribing come next year). Looks like VICE Media has discovered him, and did a nice write-up too.

In an Era of Declining Relationships

Today, the New York Times posted an essay by Columbia University sophomore Jordana Narin, entitled "No Labels, No Drama. Right?". This whole "no labels" thing runs into problems because relationships are best when they are defined. As someone with an autism spectrum disorder, a label on a relationship lets me know where the boundaries are along with my responsibilities in the relationship. I can relate quite well to the author. The problem I've noticed these days is that couples (even those not in a defined relationship) are afraid to take risks to improve the relationship. For instance:

Naïvely, I had expected to gain clarity, to finally admit my feelings and ask if he felt the same. But I couldn’t confess, couldn’t probe. Periodically I opened my mouth to ask: “What are we doing? Who am I to you?” He stopped me with a smile, a wink or a handhold, gestures that persuaded me to shut my mouth or risk jeopardizing what we already had.

Why would bringing it up jeopardize what you already have? Have we become that afraid of offending people? If I was Narin, I would have made a stink. I'd like to know where my relationship is headed, and to hope that the other half has his/her (in my case, her) good faith in everything.

In general, relationships in this country have turned into disposable commodities. And for someone who likes to repair things and not throw them out, this whole notion is upsetting. Or am I reading too much into things? Relationships are worth having, and why we've become phobic to them is beyond me.

I'll use this as a bad example: late last year, Shelby Swink, a young lady from Tennessee, found herself left at the altar five days before her wedding date when her fiancee told her that he'd had a change of heart. While Shelby turned trauma into triumph, it's not that easy. Apparently I like Offbeat Bride. We don't know whether or not the relationship turned sour or if it was at the spur of the moment (I'm assuming it was the spur of the moment).

Reading through my own Facebook chats with an ex-girlfriend, I did an absolutely horrid job on both defining and rehabilitating a relationship. I didn't even try. Worse, I added salt in a wound. The reason the relationship collapsed was because I had some issues with my own family and was making them public, and I made the stupid decision to add as "friends" on Facebook my ex's entire family. I turned a hiatus of a relationship permanent, without discussing the other half. Looking back, I handled the whole thing terribly. So I shouldn't be one to say much. According to one author, lasting relationships rely on two traits: and from that hard to get at article, it's nothing more than kindness and generosity. And I'll add another one: honesty.

Late April update

For the last several weeks, some issues in my personal life have conspired against me and have caused me to say some really inappropriate things and come to some really inappropriate conclusions. I've been realizing my own shortcomings and needless to say I've been frustrated by them. So for the time being I'm focusing on taking care of me and dealing with my demons

To those people I've angered, I apologize. The person I'm really angry at is myself.

My response to Newsweek's "Abercrombie & Fitch Tries to Turn Down the Terrible"

From the article posted on Newsweek's website:

On Friday, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister announced they are “overhauling some of their store policies,” including ridding outlets of blaring music, dungeon lighting and nose-shriveling perfume overdoses. In other words, for the first time in decades, their stores will become fit for adult human beings with eyes, ears and noses to enter and actually shop without experiencing sensory overload.

I should have dared anyone with an autism spectrum disorder to go in there prior to the changes. Like myself. But then again, I've never had any loyalty to the A&F brand.

My Response to "Orchestra Drops Pianist Valentina Lisitsa Over 'Deeply Offensive' Tweets"

From New York City's classical music station WQXR-FM (also jokingly the official radio station of the New York Times):

Valentina Lisitsa, a well-known classical pianist whose Twitter feed regularly features barbed political commentary about the conflict in Ukraine, was dropped from two performances this week with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, after the ensemble cited concerns over her "deeply offensive" and "provocative" online remarks.

Lisitsa, a Ukrainian-American who was scheduled to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the TSO this Wednesday and Thursday, took to Facebook on Monday to accuse the Toronto Symphony (TSO) of censorship. 

"Yes, Toronto Symphony is going TO PAY ME NOT TO PLAY because I exercised the right to free speech," she wrote in a rambling, 1000-word post. "Yes, they will pay my fee but they are going to announce that I will be unable to play and they already found a substitute. And they even threatened me against saying anything about the cause of the cancellation. Seriously." 

The pianist accused the orchestra of bowing to a "small but aggressive lobby claiming to represent Ukrainian community," which she said had taken issue with "caricatures" she posted to Twitter related to the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris.

The Toronto Symphony declined to comment Monday on Lisitsa's charges and issued a statement defending its decision to cancel her contract. "Due to ongoing accusations of deeply offensive language by Ukrainian media outlets, we have decided to replace Valentina Lisitsa," said the orchestra's president and CEO Jeff Melanson.

"Valentina Lisitsa’s provocative comments have overshadowed past performances. As one of Canada’s most important cultural institutions, our priority must remain on being a stage for the world’s great works of music, and not for opinions that some believe to be deeply offensive."

Since 2010, Lisitsa has maintained a Twitter feed – now under the alias NedoUkrainka – through which she frequently expresses her strong support of Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine. In over 13,000 tweets aimed at more than 9,000 followers, she has posted sharp denunciations of Western media and Ukrainian "neo-Nazis" mixed with graphic battlefront videos and images. 

Lisitsa, 41, was born in Kiev but moved to the U.S. after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. She launched her career through a YouTube channel, which unlike her Twitter feed, is devoted to performance videos, and which now has received some 43 million visitors. In 2012 she signed a recording contract with Decca.

While frequently described as "the web's favorite pianist," until now, her political commentary has prompted little response by North American concert presenters or audiences. One exception came in October, when a small group of protesters picketed in front of her recital at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. She is scheduled to perform later this month in Spokane, WA and Dayton, OH.

Requests for comment through her manager and label were not immediately returned on Monday. The Toronto Symphony has not announced a replacement pianist for this week's concerts.

Actually, she's right on Ukraine being (partially) run by neo-Nazis. It's a mess over there, and my heart always goes out to my family members over there. Just thought I'd share the article since it hits close to home.

Running on Fumes: My Decision to Attempt to Run for elected office in Sullivan County

I'm thinking 2015 will be the year that I prepare to run for public office. Whether I get elected or not is another story, no less get on the ballot. I have the immense will. I just need a way to go about it. On his blog/news site, Sullivan County resident Bill Liblick said it best last year:

Those who are fortunate enough to be chosen members of the
“Old Boys Club” have been successful in their mission in convincing and leading several legislators some old and new down a continual destructive path in order to protect their self serving beneficial interests.
The residents of Sullivan County have had enough. We cannot simply rely on casinos to be our savior. We need a plan of action. We need leadership.
Samuelson needs to act like a leader. He needs to stop being the yes man for the “Old Boys Club.” These people are so good and slick at what they do in protecting their personal interests that they did an Academy Award winning performance in conning Samuelson. Samuelson, who is an actor by trade, could never deliver such a feat even if he wanted to.
It is time Samuelson wakes up and realizes why he was elected. All these charades must stop! If Samuelson feels he cannot do the job – Then he should step aside and let someone else take the helm.
A summit between county, town and village governments discussing our financial problems can go a long way towards finding some meaningful solutions. We all have to be on the same page.
- See more at: http://www.sullivancountypost.com/2013/08/01/we-are-a-county-in-crises/#sthash.NOUDmKvZ.dpuf

Those who are fortunate enough to be chosen members of the “Old Boys Club” have been successful in their mission in convincing and leading several legislators some old and new down a continual destructive path in order to protect their self serving beneficial interests.

The residents of Sullivan County have had enough. We cannot simply rely on casinos to be our savior. We need a plan of action. We need leadership.

[Sullivan County Legislative Chairman Scott] Samuelson needs to act like a leader. He needs to stop being the yes man for the “Old Boys Club.” These people are so good and slick at what they do in protecting their personal interests that they did an Academy Award winning performance in conning Samuelson. Samuelson, who is an actor by trade, could never deliver such a feat even if he wanted to.

It is time Samuelson wakes up and realizes why he was elected. All these charades must stop! If Samuelson feels he cannot do the job – Then he should step aside and let someone else take the helm.

A summit between county, town and village governments discussing our financial problems can go a long way towards finding some meaningful solutions. We all have to be on the same page.

By the way, I bolded the "Then he should step aside" part. I'm emphasizing that point. The fact is this: I would be more than willing to be the one to take that helm. My platform would be not just straightforward, but simple: allow Sullivan County to compete with other counties in the region. My information on all this is both second hand and not first eye. I know that a recent scandal, for lack of a better word has brought the confidence in the County government to a low point. I've argued this in the past and will spend much of this year doing so in public: Sullivan needs a county executive.

Because 2015 is so challenging for me with career and a life in the city, running for office in Sullivan is simply not possible. I hope that in two years it will be, or at worst, four. I have so much that I want to accomplish: turn the downtowns in Monticello and Liberty into bustling commercial centers and tourist hubs, additional reopened resorts to allow the County to be a convention and conference hub and even manufacturing. Sullivan is a diamond in the rough: if you polish and cut that diamond, you'll find that it shines pretty bright.

Those who are fortunate enough to be chosen members of the
“Old Boys Club” have been successful in their mission in convincing and leading several legislators some old and new down a continual destructive path in order to protect their self serving beneficial interests.
The residents of Sullivan County have had enough. We cannot simply rely on casinos to be our savior. We need a plan of action. We need leadership.
Samuelson needs to act like a leader. He needs to stop being the yes man for the “Old Boys Club.” These people are so good and slick at what they do in protecting their personal interests that they did an Academy Award winning performance in conning Samuelson. Samuelson, who is an actor by trade, could never deliver such a feat even if he wanted to.
It is time Samuelson wakes up and realizes why he was elected. All these charades must stop! If Samuelson feels he cannot do the job – Then he should step aside and let someone else take the helm.
A summit between county, town and village governments discussing our financial problems can go a long way towards finding some meaningful solutions. We all have to be on the same page.
- See more at: http://www.sullivancountypost.com/2013/08/01/we-are-a-county-in-crises/#sthash.NOUDmKvZ.dpuf

Why I'm Not a Fan of Being Called "Alex"

Let's get this straight folks. While I am technically Alexander, I prefer to go by Sasha. I have always gone by Sasha, and I always will. My father's name was Alex. I wasn't named after him. I was named after both the son of a friend of my mother's and my paternal uncle's ex-father in law. No, I'm not kidding.

Almost eleven years after his passing, there is a void in my heart. Sure, I had serious issues with him growing up and he went to his grave probably knowing that I had resentment towards him. But regardless, he was my dad, my biological father, the man who instilled a love of learning into me, a man who was proud to have me as a son. A sense of intellectual curiosity that has near limitless potential. At the same time, this is a man who in trying to do his best made some poor choices in trying to get me help for my issues growing up. Why my parents didn't seek additional help for me after all the school psychologists noted my issues is beyond me. I'm seriously disappointed that it took until the sixth grade for me to receive help in any form. But my father did his best, and I hope that I can be the parent that he never had the chance to be. I hope to one day have children of my own, to be able to care for and to bring to museums, soccer practice, well you all get the point. While I might have inherited my father's emotional genetics, I hope to overcome those natural flaws.

A tweet I can never send: @Eminem "When I hear your song "Headlights" it reminds me of the strained relationship I had with my late father. While you have issues with your mother, at least she is still alive and you can try to make amends. I have to go to my grave knowing I could never do that."

Maybe if I had the chance this year I'll lay some flowers on your grave Dad. Everyone misses you, even yours truly. You've missed so much in these last eleven years: play practices, proms, graduations, your two sons learning to drive, your sons girlfriends, one of them embracing your love for rock and blues, seeing them get a glimpse into your childhood and a bunch of other events/happenings/et cetera.

Observation from a drunk thirty-something

...of course I'm not the thirty-something, but the person being observed!

To make a long story no shorter: I board the NJ Transit route 123 (New York/Union City-Congress Station/Jersey City-Christ Hospital), the usual bus I take to get home. I sit down. That was my first mistake. I should have just stood, like I usually do. But today I've been unusually tired. A girl takes a seat next to me. The bus pulls out of the terminal and I get on my phone.

But my seatmate has other plans. She introduces herself.
"You're familiar. I see you on the bus all the time."
I lie. She looks vaguely familiar. "Yeah, I've seen you before too."
She introduces herself. "Hi, I'm Mary. Where are you originally from?"
I reply "I'm originally from Upstate, but don't say I said that." I'm creeped out about that question. Mary has bad breath, the pungent smell of cheap liquor. Apparently, happy hour begins at noon now, not 4pm. I must have not gotten that memo. She's 5'2'' and wearing slip-on dress shoes with no socks. I'm wearing a bulky coat.
"I always notice that you're always so angry and tense." Way to dampen the mood Mary. But in all honesty, she's right. For much of the year I have been tense and angry for no rational reason.
To make matters worse, Mary asks if I need a hug. No, I think to myself, you've creeped me out enough.
She mutters to herself loudly "You're a piece of shit."
I'm trying to stay calm and collected, but I decided to stand up for the rest of the ride.

I get off the bus feeling relieved, almost as if I had just used the bathroom after holding it in for six hours. I have a feeling for the next few weeks that I will be taking a different bus home, even if it means I need to walk a little more. I could use the exercise after all!

I learned a few things today. First, I have a personal bubble and you have to get into it play your cards right. Second, I really do have an anger and tensity problem. One of my resolutions for this coming month is to go back to doing yoga. It's a great way to meet people, and that's something that I don't have an interest in arguing.

Sasha's quick commentary for January 11, 2015: The "Closing Tabs" edition

Since I have almost no time to do jack shit these days, here goes...

• 200 colleges across the US are now asking for high school students' sex histories. How about this: leave sex for college when you're more mature? I don't think anyone under the age of 18 should be sleeping around.
• Gubernatorial historian Richard Norton Smith floated the idea of an office building named after the now late governor Mario Cuomo (who passed away on New Year's Day), reported Capital New York. In fact, one would be named after each of the three term leaders of the 20th Century. And apparently Nelson Rockefeller combined an Oedipus complex in regards to art, to put it inappropriately.
• Again, this article from late November proves the obvious: New York overdoes it with laws. Let kids be kids.
• Air travel in China is a f*cking nightmare. kthanx, I'll take the train.
• Except for me, no Millennial, not even myself, has money to save. How about helping us out, rich Americans? My demented and sick argument: with automization, we need less humans. An energy crisis and inability to use electricity might prove my point moot.
• It was Diane Ravitch who taught me Teach for America is nothing but garbage.
• I can understand the issues that Eliot Rodger dealt with in the world of dating and socializing, but still, going on a shooting spree doesn't solve your problems. However, I think I might be the upper hand thanks to by bubbilyness (or maybe not!).
• I tweeted a kudos reply to Shelby Swink's posting on how she mutilated her wedding dress. Taking heartbreak into triumph is wonderful. And apparently, it's art, if Edina Monsoon has anything to do with it.

Autism with a side of Whoppers (Sasha's commentary for November 13, 2014)

I love when the autism community argues about the most trivial of stuff. Last week, Jerry Seinfeld came out as being somewhere on the autism spectrum, which I found really surprising. Apparently, I'm now stuck with the "autistics can't be autistics unless they have serious mood swings or little things set them off" belief. Regardless, Seinfeld's "coming out of the closet" on autism will definitely prove to be a positive. He will be a great ally in the autism acceptance battle. Quoting the New York Post:

But some autism advocates said they were concerned by Seinfeld’s suggestion that what he suffers from is not an actual disorder.
“What frightens me with these kinds of statements and stories is that I don’t want people to think that autism isn’t a serious diagnosis, or that it’s not a struggle for individuals and their families,” said Wendy Fournier, president of the National Autism Association.
“What many people don’t understand is that on that lower-functioning end of the spectrum, we have individuals who are suffering and whose lives are at risk.”
“Autism is not a designer diagnosis,” Fournier added.

For the die-hard activistis, it's ALL ABOUT THE FAMILIES, how they're the ones that have to suffer. Listen here Wendy, I've struggled to date since leaving college. To me, I don't seem "typical", but I deal with things the best I can.

NEXT!

Despite 2014 being one of the bloodiest years politically, I will say this: some candidates, like Republican Dan Bongino, conceded graciously, and I wonder if positive, non-mudslinging conduct had a lot to do with that. North of the border, Canadians still are smacking their heads in disbelief.

And finally, Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald (Jessa is a member of the Duggar clan from TLC's [Insert number here] of Kids and Counting) got hitched, and apparently had sex in the church:

What exactly went down in that room, though, is up for discussion. Comments on a personal blog run by a wedding attendee allege that Duggar and Seewald did more than just kiss (*wink, wink*) in the room.
“Multiple people were discussing that when Jinger [Jessa's sister] opened the door to get Jess for the reception, she immediately closed the door with a look of shock on her face,” a commentor who identified herself as Mary wrote on a blog post. She later continued, “I am not sure why they would not wait for the evening to pray and then consummate God’s marriage.”
A commenter by the name of Gloryana West shared Mary’s speculations. “My daughter told me that [Duggar and Seewald] had been ‘feeling’ each other,” wrote West. “Some time later … my daughter informed me that Jessa was caressing Ben’s ‘area’ and Ben had his hands on her breasts and buttocks.”

Something tells me that this was NOT their first time...just saying! That or (and I wouldn't be surprised) that the story is BS. I'd like to believe that one of the Duggar kids is a bit rebellious. Sorry Jim Bob and Michelle, you two are WAY too strict!!!*

*Then again, I don't have much of a right to judge anyone's parenting style.

My Open Letter to the Grand Old Party

TO: Reince Priebus
Republican National Committee
310 First Street SE,
Washington, DC 20003

4 November 2014

Dear Chairman Priebus,

First, I as a registered Democrat swallow my pride and congratulate your party on whatever victories you achieve. But please don't gloat over your victories tonight. I try to be a gracious loser. At the same time, I am dismayed and seriously concerned. Your party has spent the last six years attacking a president and his party on their views. Yes, Obama's not the best and brightest (look at his appointees for many ambassador posts and some of the people in his administration), but he's trying his best.

Let's start with the social issues. I believe that families are families, no matter what form they take. I believe in marriage equality simply because it is the right thing. I don't care if a child has two moms or two dads. What matters is if that (those) child(ren) live in a stable, positive, nurturing environment. And marriage is no longer about procreation. In regards to my faith, I put humanity before my belief in God. America was not designed to be a theocracy. I am pro-choice because not all pregnancies are viable, and a woman shouldn't have to carry a miscarried fetus. I believe in the right to die with dignity because dying is already a challenge. Although I am fortunate to have never had a cancer diagnosis, there are millions of Americans who suffer from cancer, which takes me to my next subject.

Your party's attacks on Obamacare is unfortunate. Sure, it's not perfect (neither is our nation, thank you very much, and feel free to call me unpatriotic), but it allows me to work a menial job and still be on my parent's health insurance. I suffer from Asperger's disorder, and to be a fully functional human being I need medication to deal with the issues related to Asperger's: the anxiety, depression, mood issues. I believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. And don't blame Obama for not creating jobs that provide healthcare: we're competing against China, a nation known for currency manipulation. Your party has members guilty of outsourcing jobs overseas. I know I have what some might call a preexisting condition, and I strive to lead a normal life, whatever that is. If anything, we need to cut down on how much trade we do with China. America was a much better off nation a century ago because China was not an industrialized nation and we didn't have air conditioners.

Your party preaches fiscal restraint and yet is penny wise and dollar foolish. Cutting programs like NPR, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Amtrak (a big one for me) and other programs is not my way of dealing with the deficit. We don't have a deficit issue, okay, we have a little bit of one but we also have a revenue issue. Corporations in this country are getting tax breaks up the wazoo, and if reforming the tax codes not only brings in more revenue but allows this tax dodging to stop, I'm all for it. I want to know that if I have children that they have access to a great public education and that I can travel on safe roads, or if I choose not to drive, have public transportation accessible. While I do understand the aspects of high labor and material costs in regards to major infrastructure projects, at the same time those labor costs provide men and women with living wages. What happened to America thinking big, the country that built the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transcontinental Railroad?

And let's get to economics: while yes, most of the Obama administration's job growth has been low wage employment, you guys have made it difficult for his administration to launch efforts to allow for . And while we're at it, I believe in class warfare, albeit in a subtle form. There are more millionaires and billionaires in this country's history today than at any point in its history. Elderly Caucasian men are only a small percentage of this nation's population. And to promote causes that go against the rights of women, well here's something: women often have better outcomes compared to men when there are times of crisis. I hope our next president is a woman, whether it be Elizabeth Warren, Hillary Clinton or even Olympia Snowe. Women are my equal, I don't see them as lesser beings. Heck, women reopened the government after men shut it down. Sure, we might have different gender biology, but I see the opposite sex as just as capable as I am to do anything, regardless of the task or role.

Many members of the Republican Party believe that climate change is a myth. I am glad that my congressional district is represented by a Republican who believes that climate change is real. We've lived the movie The Day After Tomorrow when Superstorm Sandy struck the Northeast, and I don't want to see it happen again. We only have a finite amount of energy reserves, and the alternatives (wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal) are not just near-limitless, they are also cleaner. I am mostly a water drinker, and if I were living near the Ogallala Aquifer, I would be scared right now. Building the Keystone pipeline is a risk we cannot take. If anything, we need more solar power and less hydrofracking. Until we find a safe way to extract natural gas and transport it, I am against further drilling. Potable drinking water comes first. Plus, what happened to research into using hydrogen as a fuel?

And I agree we need government reform, but that also means things like term limits and limits on campaign donations. My belief in free speech is not just figurative, it's also literal. Every person's voice is important, no matter where they stand in our society. There should be respectable limits on campaign spending. In some areas, other nations are lightyears ahead of us.

I am glad that some issues are non-partisan, like autism treatment and research. We can all agree that finding effective treatments for autism is important. An assemblywoman from Upstate New York, Janet Duprey, is one of my political heroes. She is a Republican who votes her conscience. I don't agree with her on everything, but she has represented her constituents faithfully for the last eight years. Sure, she's a bit of a social liberal but she's in favor of sensible gun laws that don't punish responsible gun owners and is a fighter for taxpayers.

Listen, I have another eighty or so years to live, and I want to know that my planet will be able to sustain my footprint for that long (by the way, we're one of over 180 of them). I feel that the Republican Party has become too much a nationalist party in recent years. What happened to the Eisenhower Republicans?

No, I'm not rehashing what Michael Moore says. This is truly what I believe. Maybe it's my personality. I believe in a more just and equal world. But does what I say mean I don't want to work with Republicans? I agree with some on certain issues. Kevin Cramer, the Congressman from North Dakota has been a supporter of Amtrak during his tenure, winning the Golden Spike Award from NARP. I might be a partisan Democrat, but I'm willing to put aside those differences to make America a better place.

My dream for America is one where every adult has the right to vote (and if you're going to require voter ID, make it easier for voters to get ID), one where every American has a living wage, healthcare, savings for retirement. Call me a socialist, but when every American can achieve their dreams, we're much better off for it. Want to eradicate a huge aspect of why some individuals enter a life of crime?

America should always be moving forwards, not backwards. Extremism has no place in politics.

Sincerely,

Alexander Ivanoff

There's No Excuses Not to Vote Next Week

Even though the races here in New York and New Jersey are fairly set in stone, races across the country are still up in the air. And honestly, if you're a minority, a woman, any American who feels that voting counts, go vote on Tuesday!

The polls and whatnot have been driving me crazy. Sure, it's easy to get discouraged, but look at what Obama has had to deal with. The Republicans see him as an extremist, as "un-American". Maybe we need someone who is not so much as un-American, but And yes, I'm not entirely thrilled with a man who might be the reason why Jeb Bush becomes the 45th President. I'd rather take Hillary, even with her history, over another Bush. I don't want to bring the gender card into play, but we've had forty-four men run this country. I think it's time for a woman for a change. I am a man, and I say this strongly: I trust a woman's judgement over a man's. It's exactly why I consult my mom on issues from time to time.

All I know is this: I don't want my country turning into a libertarian's paradise, one that is coated in a theocracy. America needs to move forwards, not backwards. Sure, a few rotten eggs should not get back into office, but the good ones should get in.

And there's always 2016 if all goes wrong. Now to get my nerves back!

My response to "Malia Obama Attends Lollapalooza"

In early August, President Obama allowed his older daughter Malia to attend Lollapalooza. Kudos to the Commander-in-Chief to allow his daughters to lead somewhat normal lives. How she got to the event is beyond me, but that's besides the point.

I beg all eligible Americans...

...to go vote!!!!

If there is anything that concerns me more, it's the state of our union. Since taking hold of the House of Representatives in 2010, the Republicans in that body have brought any progress in this country to a standstill. The course that this country is on is self-destructive. I am not bashing all Republicans. There are many who are very reasonable and rational. But on the whole, the party has demonstrated that they are unwilling to work with a president because of false perceptions on the whole.

My solution? Cleaning house across the nation. On Election Day, it is critical that EVERY American vote. It's no secret that Republicans haven't put Americans best interests at heart. The belief of the trickle down theory has not worked, more and more Americans are working minimum wage jobs while the wealthiest Americans pay the least in taxes probably in our nation's history. But one of my biggest concerns is the world that we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. While an overwhelming majority of Chinese believe in climate change, barely 55% of Americans do. I want to live in a world where New York City isn't under ten feet of water. I don't want to live in an apocalyptic world, and I want there to still be a world left when my grandchildren are born. Time to get our heads out of the gutters.

Also, it's not good to be penny-wise and dollar-foolish. Our nation's roads and airports are suffering from neglect American airports are consistently ranked as some of the worst in the world. And let's not forget Amtrak, which is much more beneficial than many want to admit, and it plays a vital role for commuters on the Northeast Corridor. My complaint with Amtrak is that it is not allowed to better compete with discount bus carriers. Railroads should not have to live with a double standard in comparison with road and air traffic. Hawaiians made that clear when they ousted their unpopular governor in a party primary over the weekend. We've been living in a country struggling to get by. What happened to the America that my grandparents gave birth to their children in, where labor unions were strong, where Americans had much better access to public transportation? Every American should have the RIGHT to a living wage. You hear all these conservatives wanting to turn back the clock? I'm not sure if they have the right clock. The 1950s were only better in that the economy was much better.

Republicans have proposed cutting funding for our basic infrastructure. And while President Obama is no saint, Republicans have made the job near impossible for him. I give the man credit, because I would have resigned already and would have already lost my cool. If it were up to me, the White House and Congress would be meeting daily to discuss arguments. In this era, and with the world in the state of crisis it is in, it is crucial that all parties work together and make concessions. As I once said as a youngster, "compromise is a [strong] spice of life". I've finally found out why I was put on this planet: to save my state (and to a lesser extent, my country) from it's self-destructive behavior. I'm not comparing myself to Jesus Christ. I'm not here to pay for the sins of humanity. I'm here to be a voice of rationality, a voice of "instead of sitting around, let's get to work and bring America back to where it once was".

To the people who don't vote: YOU MUST. The direction that this nation takes is in your hands. This election is too crucial. The reason our country is in the sad state of affairs it is in because people are too blinded to know what is going on around them. Instead of watching American Idol, go read the news online. Grab a newspaper. Listen to news radio. Be informed. Your country needs you to not be ignorant.

Vote the way you want to. But remember this on Election Day: the statistics don't lie in that Democrats have done more positive to this country's economy than Republicans have. Heck, all of our rights are in danger because some Republicans feel it is good to deny people the right to vote.