David Paterson
GRITtv: Scandal in Albany Again: David Paterson's Troubles
It wasn't that long ago that New York had a governor embroiled in scandal. Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace in 2008 and was replaced by David Paterson, who became New York's first African-American governor--and the second legally blind governor of any state. Paterson is now in the midst of his own scandal: accusations that he pressured a woman to change her story of abuse at the hands of one of his close aides. He's already said he won't run for reelection, but should he become the second governor in two years to step down? Joining guest host Esther Armah to discuss are Dan Gerstein of Gotham Ghostwriters and Forbes and Erica Gonzalez of El Diario/La Prensa.
GRITtv: Mar. 10 2010
Arun Gupta in the latest issue of the Indypendent, on the way neoliberal "reforms" are being pushed Haiti's way. Gupta joins guest host Esther Armah in the studio, along with Reverend Osagyefo Sekou, who just returned from Haiti, to talk about the rebuilding effort underway and how people in the U.S. can help make sure Haiti is rebuilt for the Haitian people. Simon Kashama learned English listening to music like the Rolling Stones and James Brown--he was born in the Congo but spent his childhood in Belgium. Through his music and his theater work--starring in Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer prize winning play 'Ruined'--he aims to raise awareness of the situation in the Congo, and he joined us in studio recently to play two of his songs. Eliot Spitzer resigned as New York governor in disgrace in 2008 and was replaced by David Paterson, who became New York's first African-American governor--and the second legally blind governor of any state. Paterson is now in the midst of his own scandal: accusations that he pressured a woman to change her story of abuse at the hands of one of his close aides. He's already said he won't run for reelection, but should he become the second governor in two years to step down? Joining guest host Esther Armah to discuss are Dan Gerstein of Gotham Ghostwriters and Forbes and Erica Gonzalez of El Diario/La Prensa.
Democracy Now!: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009
The New York State Senate defeated a bill to legalize gay marriage with a vote of 38 to 24. All 30 Republicans voted against it. The bill’s lead sponsor, Tom Duane, the New York Senate’s only openly gay member, talks about the defeat, which was supported by Gov. David Paterson. Firedoglake blogger Jane Hamsher discusses her campaign to launch a national phone bank campaign to target districts of Democratic reps who voted for the Stupak amendment. Bhopal activist Satinath Sarangi talks about the Bhopal chemical disaster 25 years ago today and the ongoing struggle for justice. And we talk with Lex Kassenberg, who has overseen CARE International’s efforts in Afghanistan since 2006. "Democracy Now!" is a daily independent newshour.
