The real issue here is that the Democratic Party in Staten Island is a bad joke. Even though 90% of the Congressional District is in Staten Island they had to "import" a lackluster Councilman from Brooklyn to find a candidate who has no chance whatsoever of winning.
Why is there no mention of a green party candidate for this congressional seat?
Dan Donovan can go to congress with the rest of the unqualified folks who have a bunch of credits, but no credibility...
3
Didn't Obama win on Staten Island in 2012? If Staten Island is so right wing, how did that happen? The local Democratic party doesn't know there own neighbors.
Another way that shows Americans do not read and discuss and decide carefully who to vote for. A prosecutor who failed Eric Garner does not deserve to run for anything except for the faraway hills - let's send him to Ferguson or Baltimore.
3
Richard Vasconi wasn't correct when he implied that Eric Garner died from a heart attack. The medical examiner concluded that, while heart disease and asthma were contributing factors, Mr. Garner died from asphyxiation as a result of a chokehold, ruling his death a homicide. I wouldn't expect a retired police officer to offer up that fact, but I hope that the reporter would know enough to correct him, and the record.
4
The only thing abundantly clear about this election is that both Donavan and Gentile want to be elected...by any means possible...PERIOD.
3
Another case that shows there should be a special prosecutor or conflict prosecutor appointed. It is impossible to handle a case involving police issues when the prosecutor is working day to day with the same police. A couple of other items, one of the grand jury witnesses told the media that the grand jurors were eating, talking, and talking on their phones when the testimony was going on. Who was in charge of keeping order in that grand jury room - the prosecutor. Says something about their professionalism or lack thereof. Finally, it now occurs to me that this DA knew Mr Grimm was in trouble and was looking ahead. Don't want to tick off the supporters. Another conflict.
6
Said Richard Vasconi, retired police officer - "If the man hadn't struggled, he wouldn't have had a heart attack." Beast.
7
So we should all be passive wimps when the police question us? Who made them God Almighty? Disgraceful.
1
It's interesting that Mr. Gentile is not making a campaign issue out of the system of laws that govern the physical power and legal privilege of the cops. Apparently he is acting on information that not even Democrats care about changing the system to rein in police behavior.
The credibility of his information is low given the nationwide outrage about police violence. But whether he's misinformed or not, the end result is the same, and it's very troubling: Gentile, and apparently no politician (including Hillary Clinton, despite her lip service), is willing to push for tighter regulation of policing in America.
And of course there will be no referendums on the issue. So what are the voters who are sick and tired of being brutalized and murdered supposed to do? In fact WHAT can they do to put an end to the cop mayhem??
How about violent, destructive rampage?
The credibility of his information is low given the nationwide outrage about police violence. But whether he's misinformed or not, the end result is the same, and it's very troubling: Gentile, and apparently no politician (including Hillary Clinton, despite her lip service), is willing to push for tighter regulation of policing in America.
And of course there will be no referendums on the issue. So what are the voters who are sick and tired of being brutalized and murdered supposed to do? In fact WHAT can they do to put an end to the cop mayhem??
How about violent, destructive rampage?
5
I wonder why it is taking so long for the Justice department investigation. They move at a snail's pace. Perhaps the NYPD isn't being particularly helpful. What a surprise that would be.
8
It was the Justice Department that delayed the release of it's findings at Ferguson. Findings that supported the police. Findings that could have been released in conjunction with local findings and might have prevented another riot. Or not.
Richard Vasconi, a retired police officer and a Republican who supports Mr. Donovan, said of Mr. Garner's struggle with the police, “If the man hadn’t fought the way he did, he wouldn’t have had a heart attack.”
That's funny, that's not what I learned in medical school.
That's funny, that's not what I learned in medical school.
7
To paraphrase Kanye "Politicians don't care about black people." In addition, politicians are scared of the police, which is why they kiss their behinds so much. They know who's in control in the police state.
3
I'd like to address a theme coming up here. Seems several commenters, angry at Eric Garner's death (although these people cared not at all that the day before that, he was in horrible health and supporting himself by a career of extremely small-scale crime, with no real future prospects), are lashing out at ALL white people. Saying oh well Staten Island is all white, thus, all racist. White people are like this, see Mr. Donovan is white and photographed with white people so he must have approved of Mr. Garner's death.
Guys, that's not going to get y'all anywhere in race relations. We need to aspire to harmony, and if black people want things to be better for them in society (which they should be), they'll need help from white people. If there's one man that freed the slaves, he was white. If there's one group that enforced more civil rights from the 60's to now, it's white people.
But when a liberal white guy like myself sees a lot of "all you whities are racist scum", then my gut reaction is, fine I don't care about your problems. You hate me for my skin color, why should your suffering concern me in the slightest?
Feel free to ignore everything I say because it's coming from a subhuman, alien white guy. But I thought I'd make the point if possible, accusing all white people of racism is itself racist. And I personally never care what bad things befall racists of any race.
Guys, that's not going to get y'all anywhere in race relations. We need to aspire to harmony, and if black people want things to be better for them in society (which they should be), they'll need help from white people. If there's one man that freed the slaves, he was white. If there's one group that enforced more civil rights from the 60's to now, it's white people.
But when a liberal white guy like myself sees a lot of "all you whities are racist scum", then my gut reaction is, fine I don't care about your problems. You hate me for my skin color, why should your suffering concern me in the slightest?
Feel free to ignore everything I say because it's coming from a subhuman, alien white guy. But I thought I'd make the point if possible, accusing all white people of racism is itself racist. And I personally never care what bad things befall racists of any race.
Dan, when I identify the specific white-skinned ethnic groups that traditionally have dominated, and continue to dominate, the police and fire services around the USA, the NYT mods refuse to publish my comments. Hence, as usual we're left with the PC, all-embracing comments about 'whites' as if whites in the USA were a single, homogeneous, socioeconomic and ethnic group.
2
Dan, I do not need your (white) support. Firstly, most problems (race, economics,inequality, social, etc...) that Black people in America have dealt with historically originated with your people-liberal, conservative, and others.
May I suggest that you direct your concentration elsewhere. I abhor people who are arrogant and narrow minded.
May I suggest that you direct your concentration elsewhere. I abhor people who are arrogant and narrow minded.
The New York City medical examiner’s office released a statement saying that Eric Garner’s death was caused by neck compression (chokehold), chest compression and prone positioning with chronic bronchial asthma, obesity and hypertensive cardiovascular disease as contributing factors. But press releases aren’t evidence. We don’t know what the medical examiner told the grand jurors when asked if Garner had been choked to death. The video shows Garner was still alive and still taking after the police officer released what he said was a headlock, not a chokehold. Talking is strange behavior for someone who has been choked to death. The police commissioner said at a press conference that Garner died of a heart attack in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. It’s probable the medical examiner told the grand jury that Garner died of a heart attack brought on by the exertion of resisting arrest and being physically restrained. People should stop asserting that police murdered Garner until evidence emerges that contradicts the grand jury decision.
1
The arrest of Garner was entirely a function of state and local law. People who do not approve of an arrest for repeatedly selling loose cigarettes have to seek change at the local level by changing local law, law that the police were lawfully enforcing. This is a Congressional race -- what exactly does the Garner case have to do with this?
"…that the police were lawfully enforcing" is a spurious claim, given the excessive force of a chokehold, which effectively murdered Eric Garner. How you can reduce this travesty to "a function of state and local law" is outrageous and offensive. Do some lives mean less to you?
9
I am disgusted with the point of view and the opinions article by Richard Vasconi. While I am thankful that he served as a police officer and while I can understand the argument that one should be cooperative with the police I do not think the facts in Eric Garner's case support the conclusion. This guy was selling individual cigarettes to other people. To the best of my knowledge he has not committed any violent crimes and the chokehold is banned. Those two pieces of knowledge indicate to me that the state of New York, and by extension, her voters, find black lives less important than the ability of the police to control any situation they find themselves in, even if they are wrong.
14
Mr. Donovan is treating the voters like idiots. He is asking them to respect the grand jury's decision, despite the fact that the grand jury's decision was predicated on HIS decision on whether or not to bring certain charges. I believe that even if he had brought manslaughter charges against the police officers and the grand jury indicated them, there was still a likelihood they would have been acquitted at trial. But you cannot ask people to respect a decision and fail to mention you were part of it.
8
The murder of one black man is of no interest to this community.
12
The Times is just trying to stir up some unpleasantness with the tragic case of Garner! Of course it won't be mentioned much in this contest! Look, where it's taking place! The Times would do even better in explaining why a sliver of Brooklyn (And in many respects the nicer part of Brooklyn!) was lumped in with provincial Staten Island?!)
I'm a native Staten Islander, retired police supervisor and Vietnam veteran who was appalled by the Eric Garner case. The actions of the police officer that were captured on the video were that of a "cowboy cop." There was no excuse for the tragic outcome and it undoubtedly should have been handled differently. Even more disturbing was the lack of response (from police and emergency medical technicians) while Mr. Garner was obviously in acute physical distress. At the least, there should have been a criminal charge of reckless endangerment. My wife and I will be voting for Mr. Gentile on May 5th in reaction to this incident and the fact that Mr. Donovan is representing a political party that has done nothing for working people and wants to privatize Social Security....voucherize Medicare......and give more tax cuts to rich people!
25
The Eric Garner case is of no major concern to Staten Islanders because they are pro police and anti criminal.
The north shore black neighborhoods rallied around the Garner family because of the race issue.
The whites backed the police for taking action against the recividist criminal who had a lengthy police record.
I found there was sympathy for the family after Eric's death but the police didn't intentionally contribute to his death.
The north shore black neighborhoods rallied around the Garner family because of the race issue.
The whites backed the police for taking action against the recividist criminal who had a lengthy police record.
I found there was sympathy for the family after Eric's death but the police didn't intentionally contribute to his death.
4
The level of vitriol and ignorance about Staten Island in the comments is unfortunately not surprising. I live in Staten Island and my City Councilmember is an African-American woman, my State Senator is a white woman who pushed the medical marijuana law and same sex marriage law through the Senate, and my State Assemblyman is a gay white man. All Democrats. Staten Island also voted for Barack Obama both times. We have great diversity, and great opportunities for electing more liberals. But the party machine is so weak that the candidates do not live up to the potential. Good candidates win elections.
5
Voted for Obama TWICE? Not exactly. In 2008 McCain got Staten Island. The result in 2012 was Obama by a hair.
4
Well McCain may have won in 2008, but also by a hair. Basically, it's 50-50 out there in Staten Island. In other words, it's a middle of the road place. Nothing crazy going on there in either direction.
If I was white and from Staten Island, I would be ashamed that I lived in such a racist enclave. I would say Staten Island and Mr Donovan deserve each other.
10
If you look closely at the pictures accompanying this article and realize who the audience is at his speeches, it is not hard to imagine why there is no interest in the Eric Garner case.
Pictures are worth, at least in this article, a thousand words.
Pictures are worth, at least in this article, a thousand words.
5
Ohh, I get it, because all the people are white, and of course all white people are racist. That's the assumption here, right, that all white people must be racist because their skin is pale.
Well if folks really can't stand being around white people, I'd advise moving to China, Kenya, Haiti, or other regions with very few of them.
Well if folks really can't stand being around white people, I'd advise moving to China, Kenya, Haiti, or other regions with very few of them.
Staten Island....technically a borough of New York City. But only technically. It might as well be a million miles away.
5
Your perception is erroneous. The racist policies of the police, and the blind eye of prosecutors and judges, is city wide. America is a racist country, built on violence and horrific injustice. And NYC is a blatantly racist city in that country. Wealth inequality is color coded. Job titles are color coded. There is as little difference between Manhattan and SI as there is between Democrats and Republicans. Don't believe me? There is proof right there in this article. Right in the headline. Neither candidate is willing to touch that hot potato. Even though Gentile knows he has no chance to win, he won't use his campaign to elevate the discussion of what is one of the most relevant political issues of the time.
Although I'm a fairly liberal Democrat, and I hope Dan Donovan loses even though his name is Dan, I really can't see how the Eric Garner case could be held against him.
I'm certain that Eric Garner should not have died that day. I think the cops were too rough on him, although I also think he gave them reason to be nervous. It's also apparent from the video that nobody was trying to kill him, that several cops were straining to subdue someone twice their weight, and that he never stopped fighting.
So when a Grand Jury sees all the evidence and testimony and decides that the cop applying the choke-hold was not at fault, I can't see why the prosecutor is to blame. He can't overrule a jury in any circumstances, and that's good, otherwise we'd have the "justice" system of Iran.
Nonetheless, I still do hope that Dan Danadan (or whatever) loses this race, but it's unlikely because Staten Island is rather dogmatically Republican. At any rate, he's gotta be better than the felonious Grimm.
I'm certain that Eric Garner should not have died that day. I think the cops were too rough on him, although I also think he gave them reason to be nervous. It's also apparent from the video that nobody was trying to kill him, that several cops were straining to subdue someone twice their weight, and that he never stopped fighting.
So when a Grand Jury sees all the evidence and testimony and decides that the cop applying the choke-hold was not at fault, I can't see why the prosecutor is to blame. He can't overrule a jury in any circumstances, and that's good, otherwise we'd have the "justice" system of Iran.
Nonetheless, I still do hope that Dan Danadan (or whatever) loses this race, but it's unlikely because Staten Island is rather dogmatically Republican. At any rate, he's gotta be better than the felonious Grimm.
A dispiriting aspect of the continued abrogation of civil rights by the N.Y.P.D. is the failure of the District Attorneys to hold police officers accountable. So it should concern New Yorkers Daniel Donovan will likely be elevated to Congress, while the issue of police abuse and Mr. Donovan's inability to get an indictment in the face of video evidence, is not at the center of campaign.
Here, it must be noted that all politics is local, and of Staten Island's 479,000 residents, 64 percent are white and 57 percent lack a college education. Given these demographics, it is unsurprising that the issue of police abuse, particularly those abuses directed against blacks simply does not register.
Here, it must be noted that all politics is local, and of Staten Island's 479,000 residents, 64 percent are white and 57 percent lack a college education. Given these demographics, it is unsurprising that the issue of police abuse, particularly those abuses directed against blacks simply does not register.
9
“We must always remember that the police are recruited from the criminal classes.”
Gore Vidal
Gore Vidal
1
Not surprised by this at all - these pols reflect their constituents. Stone deaf when it comes to race in NYC. After all, they're responsible for Guiliani's success in city elections.
We know where Guiliani stands - so we know where Staten Island stands.
We know where Guiliani stands - so we know where Staten Island stands.
7
Sorry, but, here in New York City, the Eric Garner case is closed. A grand jury found no reasonable cause to indict office Pantaleo, remember? End of the story.
So, why continue to drag this on and on and on? I guess, from this title of this article, the Times wants us to think that the Island politicians should be speaking about this event. And what exactly are they supposed to be saying about it?
The fact is, Mr. Garner was engaging in petty criminal acts and he resisted arrest, to his peril. But from the way the Times goes on about this story, you might think Mr. Garner was just minding his own business, strolling to church and the officer killed him unprovoked, like some white supremacist from the Klan.
Now, I'm not saying that his death wasn't unfortunate, and tragic even, but I am saying get real: this isn't some cut and dry, black and white story about an innocent victim of racism.
So, why continue to drag this on and on and on? I guess, from this title of this article, the Times wants us to think that the Island politicians should be speaking about this event. And what exactly are they supposed to be saying about it?
The fact is, Mr. Garner was engaging in petty criminal acts and he resisted arrest, to his peril. But from the way the Times goes on about this story, you might think Mr. Garner was just minding his own business, strolling to church and the officer killed him unprovoked, like some white supremacist from the Klan.
Now, I'm not saying that his death wasn't unfortunate, and tragic even, but I am saying get real: this isn't some cut and dry, black and white story about an innocent victim of racism.
3
You neglect to mention that he was killed by a cop using a chokehold prohibited by the NYPD. Other people that kill people doing things prohibited by their employer typically get fired, or go to jail. Not cops.
5
It is just this type of attitude that makes people feel hopeless in terms of getting any kind of justice in this country. Congratulations on your bad attitude and why don't you get real.
5
Grand juries do not always come to the correct conclusion. From viewing the video online, it appeared to me that excessive force was used. I wasn't privy to what the grand jury was told. In law school, however, it was an axiom that "a prosecutor could get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich." It is likely that the opposite might also apply.
Just so you know, I lived in New York City for over 52 years and I have some familiarity with Staten Island.
Just so you know, I lived in New York City for over 52 years and I have some familiarity with Staten Island.
5
This is an area that re-elected Grimm knowing full well of his criminal behavior. Why wouldn't they support/elect a candidate like Donovan?
What is Donovan's office's "grand jury" track record? Did it win indictments on most of the cases it presented to a grand jury? Did his office do anything more assertive after an indictment loss, that it failed to do in the Garner case? Is the Garner case loss an anomaly? If so why isn't that issue probed more?
And finally, why do I have the horrible feeling that the people most outraged by the unfair Garner outcome and who truly believe "Black Lives Matter," will NOT be voting in great numbers in this election? I truly hope I'm wrong and please don't tell me I'm blaming the victim! Wake up and VOTE!
What is Donovan's office's "grand jury" track record? Did it win indictments on most of the cases it presented to a grand jury? Did his office do anything more assertive after an indictment loss, that it failed to do in the Garner case? Is the Garner case loss an anomaly? If so why isn't that issue probed more?
And finally, why do I have the horrible feeling that the people most outraged by the unfair Garner outcome and who truly believe "Black Lives Matter," will NOT be voting in great numbers in this election? I truly hope I'm wrong and please don't tell me I'm blaming the victim! Wake up and VOTE!
2
This "race" (to replace disgraced former FBI Agent and Republican Representative Grimm, who is never mentioned) is portrayed as a two-MAN race, when nothing could be further from the truth. James Lane of the Green Party is a viable, articulate, and serious candidate, yet is treated as invisible here and across the media landscape. No wonder nothing changes!
www.votejameslane.org
"With the Republicans and the Democrats, it's like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. There's not a dimes worth of difference between the two of them."
––George C. Wallace (1968), erstwhile presidential candidate, former governor and First Man of Alabama, inveterate racist.
www.votejameslane.org
"With the Republicans and the Democrats, it's like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. There's not a dimes worth of difference between the two of them."
––George C. Wallace (1968), erstwhile presidential candidate, former governor and First Man of Alabama, inveterate racist.
5
Mr. Donovan's political aspirations severely clouded his sworn obligations as district attorney — he didn't push for an indictment because it would've jeopardized his political future. Eric Garner was murdered with excessive force, on camera for the world to see. His family was tragically denied justice, and their day in court, due to Dan Donovan's inaction. Inexcusable.
6
African Americans need to vote more. If they did poor Eric would be a concern to these politicians.
9
When all the protests and rallies are over, what you have left is African American communities who for the most part are having difficulty making hero's out of small time criminals who don't really measure up to the Martin Luther King's and Rosa Parks of the civil rights movement.
I've always considered Staten Island another planet, but I agreed with the Grand Jury's decision.
1
Then you are part of the problem sir.
3
Again we see the difference between Staten Island and the real New York City.
5
I can imagine why Staten Islanders may not care about race, but I don't know why they don't care about murder. If national Democrats who decried the Garner killing and the people presently protesting in Manhattan can't be motivated to campaign against Donovan then American democracy is an empty word. And it seems that's all it is any more. Can't at least ONE -- just one -- leading Democrat show up on Staten Island to speak up about this? Letting it go is the worst kind of lie.
18
They don't care about murder because they're White and therefore think a police officer would not have done to them what was done to Mr. Garner. And they are probably right in that belief.
The worst thing is that they don't care about murder, or manslaughter, of a Black person, even when they have seen it with their own eyes.
The worst thing is that they don't care about murder, or manslaughter, of a Black person, even when they have seen it with their own eyes.
1
You're claiming that Garner was murdered? Really?
1
Garner should have had his day in court, out in the open.
Blacks are of little concern to those runnng for office on Staten Island.
26
Oh actually I think the murder of Garner probably even helped boost Donovan - a badge of honor. I think it's just that bad out there.
3
It figures that Eric Garner hardly figures in the Staten Island House race. In case the fact was missed - he was African-American.
10
Well, of course nobody is bringing up Garner, because neither candidate can afford to alienate the hundreds of thousands of white (mostly middle-aged and older) racists who live in Bay Ridge and Staten Island (believe me, I live here). Dan Donovan is the Lester Maddox of Staten Island, rising to fame on his heroic defense of the racist status quo. He is clearly a disgrace, but an awful lot of voters here believe Garner deserved what he got, and love the way Donovan twisted the criminal justice system to let a white cop off the hook for killing an unarmed black man. Let's stop tiptoeing around the truth and start admitting that Staten Island and Bay Ridge are as racist as most areas of the American South.
45
You do not have a clue. The majority of Islanders are not racist! They just don't like making martyrs out of criminals, white or black.
1
Even the criminals are entitled to due process.
To paraphrase Thomas Wolfe, "only the dead know Staten Island." Two photographs say it all: a bunch of white men shoveling pizza down their throats, with a middle aged white guy in his "Captain America" jacket (or whatever it's supposed to be) coming to pay homage, and a self assured retired white cop who is certain that if everybody just obeyed the law, everything would be ok.
Remember, the head of the New York mafia, Paul Castellano, lived up on Todt
Hill in Staten Island before he succumbed to indigestion at Sparks Steakhouse.
Let's hand on to what we got.
Remember, the head of the New York mafia, Paul Castellano, lived up on Todt
Hill in Staten Island before he succumbed to indigestion at Sparks Steakhouse.
Let's hand on to what we got.
11
Just out of curiosity, is there anything wrong with eating pizza or being white? Lots of people in NYC eat pizza, seems to me, and the majority of the city and this country is white.
1
Thankfully we have someone from a white bread city in Maryland to tell us how it is. What riveting insight. What intelligent commentary. And, just for the record, I'm as far to the left as you can get.
2
Before Freddie Gray committed "suicide" by breaking his neck and severing his spinal cord to spite six white Baltimore cops, Eric Garner chose to choke himself to death and have a heart attack to spite NYPD. If only they were human beings and persons and Americans within the meaning of the Constitution then they would be worth mentioning.
30
Why would I ever want anyone running for office to use at their platform the Garner case? I want to hear his.her views on property taxes, on schools, on improving my life on Staten Island. Period.
5
Yeah! Why should we want to know what a Congressman thinks about human rights? Just put more money in my pocket. Period.
16
Maybe because most people in this country would be horrified at voting for the kind of racist DA who twists the criminal justice system to let a white murder off the hook for killing an unarmed black man. In Staten Island, however, that's a feature, not a bug.
17
Because you care about other people's lives, not just your own
3
Sorry, my progressive/socialist/Democrat brethren. The Garner case wasn't an issue then and it's not an issue now.
Save your sanctimonious outrage and finger wagging for REAL issues of social injustice. Like the Mayor's shakedown of builders in the City, forcing buyers to live with deadbeats and criminals.
Save your sanctimonious outrage and finger wagging for REAL issues of social injustice. Like the Mayor's shakedown of builders in the City, forcing buyers to live with deadbeats and criminals.
7
"The Garner case wasn't an issue then and it's not an issue now."
Of course not. After all, what do you and yours care about a dead black man?
Of course not. After all, what do you and yours care about a dead black man?
1
Most of your hero buyers are international criminals funneling larges sums of dark money into the United States to buy up New York City apartments at artificially inflated rates.
However, anyone with money is someone you would worship.
However, anyone with money is someone you would worship.
1
The reason it's going unmentioned is because you're not covering the only candidate who's talking about it. James Lane, the Green Party candidate, has written about it at http://www.votejameslane.org/lane_says_police_shooting_in_south_carolina.... The need for policing reform is one of the primary issues of his campaign. Mr. Lane was also excluded from the NY1 televised debate on April 14. The exclusion of ballot-qualified candidates from news articles and debates is a disservice to voters who deserve the full story.
8
Of course it is not a factor. Mr Garner resisted arrest and the fact that he said he could not breath proves that he COULD indeed breath. The police were overzealous, but people need to learn not to resist arrest.
2
He kept saying he couldn't breathe until he ran out of enough air to say it again, at which point he died. I really don't get this line of argument. If he was lying about not be able to breathe, why did he suffocate to death?
26
Dear Margarets Dad,
I get that you're angry about this, it's understandable because Eric Garner shouldn't have died that day. But he didn't die of suffocation, nor oxygen deprivation. He died of a heart attack. The choke-hold had a part in that, but would not have killed a healthy individual, and his health was clearly so bad that running up two flights of stairs would have been fatal.
I get that you're angry about this, it's understandable because Eric Garner shouldn't have died that day. But he didn't die of suffocation, nor oxygen deprivation. He died of a heart attack. The choke-hold had a part in that, but would not have killed a healthy individual, and his health was clearly so bad that running up two flights of stairs would have been fatal.
Remind me not to hire you as a lifeguard.
"I'm drowning!!"
"No, you're not. The fact that you can scream 'I'm drowning' means you're not drowning."
"I'm drowning!!"
"No, you're not. The fact that you can scream 'I'm drowning' means you're not drowning."
3
Staten Island---always a conservative enclave
3
I'm so ashamed to declare my roots in Staten Island sometimes. There are so many hardworking, intelligent people here yet a huge part of the electorate continue to support the most underwhelming, ethically challenged and incompetent candidates. You would think the "blue-collar" background of the civil servants on the island would rally behind ideologies that are meant to help them. Unfortunately, there's a large underbelly of racist and close-minded individuals that don't care about civil rights issues, if it comes to minorities. And that is why Donovan knows he can continue to campaign without batting an eye towards questions regarding the Eric Garner case and why Gentile stays away from it - a majority of their demographic sadly does not care.
43
Thank you for your honesty.
I agree w/ you re SI--so many good people but far outnumbered by the not-good ones who vote more.
I reside in Queens, NY, luckily a VERY diverse area now with a gay City Councilmember. But I remember the Archie Bunkers from not too long ago.
Change does happen if you are vigilant and VOTE!
I agree w/ you re SI--so many good people but far outnumbered by the not-good ones who vote more.
I reside in Queens, NY, luckily a VERY diverse area now with a gay City Councilmember. But I remember the Archie Bunkers from not too long ago.
Change does happen if you are vigilant and VOTE!
11
What is missing from this article's coverage is any mention of the third party candidate running with the Green Party, James Lane. Although there is commentary on the lack of awareness surrounding this election, it becomes an even slipperier slope when media sources don't provide accurate reporting of the race by purposely (or not) excluding Lane from their coverage. What makes it even more frustrating is that Lane is the only candidate of color running in comparison to two white, male career politicians. With what just happened with the Eric Garner case in the 11th district and these two gentlemen's roles in either actively molding the outcome for a no indictment with Donovan as DA or by having a demeanor where they refuse to address an issue that has lead to a man's death in their own district is borderline pathetic, morbid and dare I say racist. Let's not reduce American democracy to politics.
8
Of course, the same demographic that found no wrongdoing on the part of the police in the grand jury
5
It takes a dynamic leader to gracefully confront the difficult issues. Most like to hide behind their constituent's stagnation instead of stir the pot. With a good portion of the electorate conservative, it's no wonder they are ducking. A reform message would pass judgement--and no one like to be judged.
Garner was killed because he was harassed by Police while committing the petty crime selling cigarettes. I don't blame his resistance to a choke hole, I blame the draconian choke hold. It shouldn't be that hard to get conservatives to nod their heads at a more wise form of beat police patrol.
Garner was killed because he was harassed by Police while committing the petty crime selling cigarettes. I don't blame his resistance to a choke hole, I blame the draconian choke hold. It shouldn't be that hard to get conservatives to nod their heads at a more wise form of beat police patrol.
8
'66% of New Yorkers believed there was “absolutely no excuse” for how the police handled Eric Garner, but within of Staten Island, a majority said the conduct of the police was “understandable.”'
Staten Island has a high percentage Of NYPD staff and retirees.
Staten Island is part and parcel of the Blue Police Wall of Violence, Silence and Corruption.
Staten Island is mostly an island of White Privilege and Obliviousness.
"police violence" ?
"What police violence'" ?
Staten Island is a national embarrassment to American civil rights.
Staten Island has a high percentage Of NYPD staff and retirees.
Staten Island is part and parcel of the Blue Police Wall of Violence, Silence and Corruption.
Staten Island is mostly an island of White Privilege and Obliviousness.
"police violence" ?
"What police violence'" ?
Staten Island is a national embarrassment to American civil rights.
73
Let's not forget why they are having the special election: Crime as SOP in governance.
And Staten Island laughs at you for being so naive to think that they would ever care about being a national embarrassment. In fact, large swaths of the country would laugh you too, sadly.
1
If Staten Island is so privileged, how is it that the city buried its garbage there for decades? Being the site of trash seems to be the complete opposite end of the spectrum from white privileged. If I were a privileged white person, it's about the last place I'd want to live.
Disappointing and disgraceful.
Whatever happened in America to honesty and integrity?
Whatever happened in America to honesty and integrity?
4
New yorkers (and anyone else who is not asleep) has known for decades that Staten Island is coptown. It's as simple as that. That's why they elect one heartless person after another to represent them. The Alabama of the North.
33
Does anyone else find it highly ironic that Robert is posting this while living in Berkeley. This is right next to Oakland, one of the highest crime cities in the country
That blue line is the only thing keeping you safe enough, perhaps even alive, to allow you to write this today.
That blue line is the only thing keeping you safe enough, perhaps even alive, to allow you to write this today.
2
Precisely. This is why the cop who murdered Garner got to skate thanks to Donovan's making certain that the grand jury didn't indict. A cynical political calculation that is paying off handsomely for this sleazy da.
6
It seems like this coupled with the behavior of the NYPD at last nights rally are signals of how much change is happening right now. They are SCARED because of how much momentum is taking place in this country behind police reform. I have never seen such fear in white shirts before, imagine what is happening behind closed doors. Daniel Pantaleo is the fuse that lit the bomb, I hope he remembers that behind his 24/7 police detail. You choked at man and smiled at the camera, now you have to deal with this.
2
Why should they care? Just another dead black guy. That's not who they care about representing.
10
Regarding the the retired officer who is quoted saying that Garner died of a heart attack: in fact, the medical examiner declared that Garner died of “homicide,” specifically due to the neck compression inflicted by the arresting officer.
The NYTimes should have immediately and clearly made this factual distinction rather than simply printing the blatantly incorrect comment in isolation and presuming that the irony was clear. Instead a falsehood was perpetuated. Bad journalism.
The NYTimes should have immediately and clearly made this factual distinction rather than simply printing the blatantly incorrect comment in isolation and presuming that the irony was clear. Instead a falsehood was perpetuated. Bad journalism.
68
And “If the man hadn’t fought the way he did, . . " I just watched that video again. Exactly when did Eric Garner fight?
9
Dear RR,
It's not actually that cut and dried. According to a rather reliable source, Columbia Law, here: http://web.law.columbia.edu/social-justice/forum-on-police-accountabilit...
"In addition to receiving the report of the Office of the City Medical Examiner, the Grand Jury also received the report of a private medical examiner retained by the Garner family. Both medical examiners agreed that Garner died as a result of neck and chest compression; the NYC medical examiner also reported that Garner’s asthma, obesity and heart condition contributed to his death".
Thus the neck and chest compression exacerbated Mr. Garner's asthma, obesity, and heart condition. The compression would not have killed a healthy individual.
Further, as per Norval S.'s point, in the video it's clear that Mr. Garner is throwing his arms around, pushing away cops trying to subdue him, and struggling even while on the ground. And the video starts well into the arrest, it'd be weird for 12 cops to show up to arrest a seller of loosies, this had been going on for some time before any video recording.
I'm not saying Mr. Garner's death is justified, just that it's not murder, this is not like the guy getting mercilessly shot in the back recently.
It's not actually that cut and dried. According to a rather reliable source, Columbia Law, here: http://web.law.columbia.edu/social-justice/forum-on-police-accountabilit...
"In addition to receiving the report of the Office of the City Medical Examiner, the Grand Jury also received the report of a private medical examiner retained by the Garner family. Both medical examiners agreed that Garner died as a result of neck and chest compression; the NYC medical examiner also reported that Garner’s asthma, obesity and heart condition contributed to his death".
Thus the neck and chest compression exacerbated Mr. Garner's asthma, obesity, and heart condition. The compression would not have killed a healthy individual.
Further, as per Norval S.'s point, in the video it's clear that Mr. Garner is throwing his arms around, pushing away cops trying to subdue him, and struggling even while on the ground. And the video starts well into the arrest, it'd be weird for 12 cops to show up to arrest a seller of loosies, this had been going on for some time before any video recording.
I'm not saying Mr. Garner's death is justified, just that it's not murder, this is not like the guy getting mercilessly shot in the back recently.
I don't think the comment section is journalism. let the reader beware.
No politician should try to politically profit off the death of Mr. Garner. A good leader, though, should be directly confronting the issues that have occurred in their district, talking with people about their reality, and discussing ways to improve it.
Michael Grimm was a disgraceful representative of Staten Island, he's a poster boy for abuse of power. I really hope people vote smarter this time.
Michael Grimm was a disgraceful representative of Staten Island, he's a poster boy for abuse of power. I really hope people vote smarter this time.
20
No one of consequence ran against the underwhelming Mr. Donovan. Maybe there is no one of consequence in the borough' political cache? I don't know who they are if they are here. The Garner case was and is a disgrace if for no other reason that no one for 15 minutes performed cpr on this man who had been choked out. Are not the police first responders, is that not at least criminal negligence? Business as Usual in this forgotten borough.
29
Congratulations to Baltimore for having the guts to do the right thing, and showing New York how to do it professionally and with conviction. New York, shame on you.