Article on my Father

[Weepngprpht]

Normally I wouldn't do this and I rarely talk about it let alone post something online about it but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was proud. I specifically posted this article because I am a firm believer in true and unbiased journalism. Anyway here's the article about my father in the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/ny...=1&oref=slogin

[mark5019]

and you should be proud

[Weepngprpht]

I apologize I just realized that you hae to register for the paper to read their articles So heres the article makes things a little easier. And yea I am.

Democrats' New Chief Strides to the Forefront, Then Sidesteps
By JONATHAN P. HICKS
Published: October 6, 2006
In an unusually large show of Democratic Party unity, dozens of
politicians and elected officials gathered yesterday on the steps of
New York City Hall to celebrate the selection of Malcolm A. Smith,
chosen by his colleagues to lead the Democratic minority in the State
Senate.
There were congressmen like Charles B. Rangel of Manhattan and Joseph
Crowley, the Queens Democratic chairman who helped engineer support
for Mr. Smith, who represents southeast Queens. There were the elder
statesmen, like H. Carl McCall, the 2002 candidate for governor.
Nearly every Democratic state senator from New York City was on hand
and even some from as far as Buffalo.
But amid the excited praise for Mr. Smith, who will succeed David A.
Paterson, the Harlem Democrat who gave up his Senate seat to run for
lieutenant governor, there was one note of tension. It came at the end
of yesterday's news conference, when Mr. Smith sidestepped several
questions from reporters regarding his personal views on same-sex
marriage.
The issue carries some strain among Senate members. One of Mr. Smith's
colleagues, Thomas K. Duane of Manhattan, has sponsored a bill to
legalize same-sex marriage. And some others, like State Senator Rubén
Díaz Sr. of the Bronx, oppose the bill.
"When Senator Paterson was the leader, he was supporting Senator Tom
Duane," Mr. Smith said yesterday, answering a question about his
personal views on same-sex marriage. "As a good soldier, I was
supporting Senator Paterson in the direction that we were going."
Mr. Smith added: "But I must tell you, I haven't even been leader for
about five minutes. So you have to at least give me the opportunity to
talk to my colleagues and find out how they feel about that."
Afterward, Senator Duane said he had little concern regarding Mr.
Smith's commitment. "Malcolm is on record as supporting same-sex
marriage," Mr. Duane said. "It's a very important issue to me and I am
comfortable with his support."
Despite Mr. Smith's characterization of his five minutes as Democratic
leader, his selection will not become official until after the
November election. The behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to his
selection was unusually early, largely because Mr. Paterson decided to
leave the Senate this year.
Mr. Smith, a former aide to Floyd H. Flake when he was in Congress, is
also a trustee in the church where Mr. Flake serves as pastor, the
Allen Cathedral. Many of Mr. Smith's fellow senators say that he is
reluctant to go on record in support of a same-sex marriage bill that
would not be favored by many members of that influential church.
He did readily discuss other topics at yesterday's news conference.
Mr. Smith said one of his major goals was to devise strategies for the
Democrats to retake the State Senate after the elections in 2008.
"David Paterson put us on the right track," Mr. Smith said. "This
senator, Malcolm Smith, is going to make sure that it happens. The
Democratic conference is excited."
Mr. Smith also said he would support legislation that would create
nonpartisan commissions to supervise redistricting, a move that is
widely supported by civic groups. "It is the right way to go," he
said. But he added, "it's a decision that our conference will have to
take up."
The minority leader post has little power, but should Democrats take
control of the Senate, it would make Mr. Smith one of the three most
powerful people in state government. If that occurs, he would be the
most powerful black elected official in the state.
Yesterday's event provided a dramatic contrast from the circumstances
surrounding Mr. Paterson's ascension four years ago, when he ousted
Senator Martin Connor in a coup.

[boafiend]

well written article, the link worked fine for me

[Brandon28]

I opened it up with no problem. Congrats on your father's selection into office! That's a really big deal! Do you get a new BMW as a victory gift? If not, it may be something worth working on! jk....

[Weepngprpht]

haha yea right I wish but not my style I try to stay away from most political kid stereotypes.