Tagged: Barack Obama

Tony Kushner Suggests Biden ‘Flop’ on Same Sex Marriage Orchestrated by White House

By Nicole Brydson

Playwright Tony Kushner sat down with Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman to discuss Joe Biden’s comments which led to President Obama expressing support for same-sex marriage. But the Tony Award winning Tony says don’t believe the hype that this seeming flop wasn’t orchestrated somehow to test the national waters on the issue of gay marriage during an election season.

Brooklyn Loses Two Bright Stars in Libya

By Nicole Brydson

BrooklynTheBorough.com extends its sincerest condolences to the families of filmmaker and photojournalist Tim Hetherington and fellow Brooklynite and Getty Images photographer Chris Hondros, both killed by mortar fire while reporting on the conflict in Libya.

Rep. Ed Towns Calls Hearing On Census Fraud, Is Willing To Count Brooklynites Himself

By Jessica Dailey

Two Census Bureau managers from a Brooklyn field office may face criminal charges for faking more than 4000 surveys. In a hearing Monday morning, the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce stated that he believes the managers violated a federal law that makes it a felony to falsify census records.

Join Hands Across the Sand in Coney Island

By Jessica Dailey

This Saturday, June 26, 2010, people across the nation will gather in beaches, parks, and cities to join hands as part of the largest protest ever against off-shore drilling.

Slideshow! Street Art New York

By Nicole Brydson

Rumor has it that the main reason for President Obama’s trip to New York this morning was not to discuss financial regulatory reform, but rather to see the new Shepard Fairey wall on Houston Street, a few short blocks south of Cooper Union where he spoke. This Sunday April 24, 7-9:30pm, Mr. Fairey’s work will also hang on the walls of Factory Fresh Gallery in Bushwick for the Street Art New York Silent Auction to end all auctions, raising cash for Free Arts NYC.

Progressive Revival of ‘Marx in Soho’ Pays Tribute To Howard Zinn

By Editha Rosario

Marx, performed by Brian Jones on March 6 at New York City’s Ethical Culture Society, appears to us after having accidentally ended up in Soho, New York City, instead of Soho, London. This Marx invites the audience to look beyond – deeper into the ethos surrounding Marx’s renowned socialist political theory within a contemporary context.

Happy Fourth of July From Jimmy Carter

By Nicole Brydson

Thirty years later, on our Independence Day Jimmy Carter’s “Crisis of Confidence” speech is still apt. The televised warning to Americans was given just shy of 30 years ago on July 15, 1979 and quickly derided by republicans for attacking American values, government and way of life.

Marty Toasts Obama’s Supreme Court Nominee

By Nicole Brydson

“President Obama’s historic nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor is an inspiring New York—and American—success story. Her outstanding judicial record and reputation as a moderate jurist make her an ideal candidate for our nation’s highest court, and her appointment would add much-needed diversity to the bench. Judge Sotomayor may be from the Bronx, but I know Brooklyn’s proud Latino population joins all Brooklynites in wishing Judge Sotomayor well as she makes her way through the confirmation process to become the nation’s first ever Latina Supreme Court Justice.” -Borough President Marty Markowitz

A Brooklyn Bridge Across the Pond

By Nicole Brydson

“I love Brooklyn, and I love this part of Brooklyn, I don’t know if you know – it’s now called the BAM cultural district, it’s got a whole new name – but I love this district. I mean It’s just fantastic. It’s kind of like coming across the river to work in another…” said Bridge Project director Sam Mendes before pausing to find the right words. “It’s so quiet out here – it’s so calm. It’s away from all the craziness of Broadway, it’s been a really pleasurable experience.”

Mr. Donovan Goes to Washington

By Nicole Brydson

Boerum Hill resident and the city’s Commissioner of Housing, Preservation and Development Shaun Donovan, was confirmed late last night by the senate to fill the role of HUD Secretary under President Obama.

After the city struggled with slashed HUD resources under President Bush, let’s hope that Mr. Donovan can forge a healthier relationship between New York City and HUD, whose federal dollars keep roofs over the heads of many Brooklyn residents.

Library (Not) Fine

By Nicole Brydson

“It’s not like libraries are over-funded!” said Soledad O’Brien, master of ceremonies for the 12th annual fundraising gala for the Brooklyn Public Library on Thursday. “It’s not like, ‘Trim the fat off those libraries!’ Those are cuts that are going to be very much felt.”

Brooklyn Holds Its Breath

By Nicole Brydson

Over the last weekend of the presidential election, the now ubiquitous Shepard Fairey-designed poster of a sacrosanct Barack Obama dotted the windows of shops and homes throughout Brooklyn. At the Gate, in Park Slope, the word “hope” below the senator’s smiling countenance had been amended to Slope.

Williamsburg Calling Party Chats Up Voters

By Nicole Brydson

“I’ve often heard people say it doesn’t matter who you vote for, they’re all the same,” said Jimmy Ellis, a 56-year-old MoveOn.Org member and host of a calling party Thursday night for Barack Obama in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. “But now, since the election in 2000, I think we can see really clearly, even if you don’t have your perfect candidate, it makes a difference who gets into office.”

Brooklyn’s Cul-de-Sac

By Nicole Brydson

Last week, I was invited for beers in the comfy backyard of a gorgeous brownstone in the Slope and we got to talking about what life is like in Brooklyn’s utopian paradise.