Bloody Weekend in NYC as 24 Shot in 24 Hours, Mayor Bloomberg Calls on Washington D.C. to Help

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said tougher gun laws are needed after 24 people shot, one fatal, in 24 hours in his city. Bloomberg called the gun violence "unconscionable" and demanded action from Washington D.C. Twelve victims were shot in 14 separate incidents in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. No arrests have been made to-date in any of these shootings. Shaquan Walters, 11, was shot in the right leg, as well as two girls, ages 13 and 14, at a barbecue in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx. Police have launched a manhunt for Mount Vernon resident Oneil Dasilva, 17, the suspected gunman. Five males were also shot during that barrage of bullets.

The mayor said 24 people shot in 24 hours in the city "is just unconscionable." "We cannot tolerate it," Bloomberg said while speaking at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn. "There are just too many guns on the streets and we have to do something about it." Overall, gun violence in the city is down 5.9% from last year. As of Aug. 28, 1,123 people had been shot in New York this year, according to the NYPD.

In the 24 hours of bloodshed, only one victim was fatally shot, a 30-year-old man found just after 2 a.m. yesterday with bullet wounds in the head and back in a home on E. 93rd St. in Flatbush. The cycle of gun violence began about 6 a.m. Saturday when a 35-year-old woman was shot and wounded at Saratoga Ave. and Newport St. in Brooklyn. During one 18-minute stretch between 2:12 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. yesterday, five men were shot in three separate incidents, including three wounded at a house on Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway Park, Queens. Source: NY Daily News

It's really a sad commentary that we are seeing gun violence escalate with no end in sight. There should be zero tolerance in enforcing the law where guns are concerned. We can't have these gunmen just indiscriminately firing their weapons, many illegal weapons, in the air without regard for others. We aren't living in the Wild West. Whoever is harboring Oneil Dasilva needs to pick up the phone and turn him in.

UPDATE#1: The violence in New York City over the past weekend has jumped from 25 as of Sunday night to 31 in 48 hours -- six more people shot in three separate incidents in Brooklyn. Tyrief Gary was fatally shot at a barbecue on East 54th Street in Brooklyn early Monday morning. He was one of four people shot at the barbecue. A man and a woman were also shot early Monday morning as well. They are both listed in critical condition.

UPDATE#2: More gunfire erupted in New York City near the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, not far from Mayor Bloomberg as he was marching in the parade. According to the NY Post, by noon, the number of people who have been shot since Friday now stands at 39 and counting. Just before noon a fool fired into the air several blocks from the start of the parade. He fled, but was caught quickly. He is now in police custody. Instead of washing his face with a carton of milk after the cops maced him, they should have used some extra spicy jerk sauce or some Scotch bonnet pepper instead. POS

Sightseeing Helicopter, Small Plane Crash Over Hudson River, Killing Nine, Including a Child (VIDEO)

Tragedy has struck New York City again. A small plane collided with a sightseeing helicopter, owned by Liberty Tours and was carrying Italian tourists over the Hudson River earlier today. The debris was reportedly scattered for miles and forced people on the New Jersey waterfront to run for cover. Authorities have said they believe all nine people aboard the two aircraft have been killed.

A small plane collided with a sightseeing helicopter carrying Italian tourists over the Hudson River on Saturday, scattering debris in the water and forcing people on the New Jersey waterfront to scamper for cover. Authorities believe all nine people aboard the two aircraft were killed.

The collision happened just after noon and was characterized by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg as "not survivable." The two aircraft went down just south of the stretch of river where a US Airways jet landed safely seven months ago. But this time such luck would not be on the side of these passengers.

Mayor Bloomberg said that two bodies were recovered in the water, one floating free and one in the wreckage, and other bodies were spotted in the debris in the river. Bloomberg also said that the crash victims included five Italian tourists and a pilot on the helicopter and the three people on the plane, including a child. This is such a tragedy.

Fox News' Glenn Beck Brags During Interview with John Thune (R-SD) that He Took a Gun to a Movie Last Weekend and "He Didn't Kill Anybody"

Fox News Channel's Glenn Beck is at it again. This time during an interview with John Thune (R-SD)about the Senate's defeat of his bill allowing people to carry concealed weapons across state borders, Beck, AKA "Idiot Extraordinaire," bragged about his own experience carrying a concealed weapon to the movie last weekend (for which he has a permit). The idiot added, "And surprise, I didn't kill anybody."

He unleashed this load of crap during a reference to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's warning that Thune's law would allow people to just walk into bars, restaurants or movie theaters while packing a pistol. Of course, in his infinite wisdom, Beck found the mayor's comments stupid.

I am amazed that Fox News, or any media outlet, could pay this idiot millions to spew such vile garbage on its airwaves. Even my seven year old son makes more sense than this idiot.

Caroline Kennedy Finally Reveals Her Positions and is Very Middle-of-the-Road on Most Issues

I wondered what Caroline Kennedy's views are on the hot button issues facing America and I read a New York Times article that cleared the air for me. She is, as I expected, middle on the road on most issues and still cautious on others. Here's the NY Times article in its entirety:

Kennedy’s Platform Has Mostly Mainstream Democratic Views

NICHOLAS CONFESSORE

Published: December 20, 2008

ALBANY — In just a few days, Caroline Kennedy’s bid to replace Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has acquired nearly all the trappings of a traditional New York statewide campaign: a bevy of consultants, a tour of upstate cities and television cameras tracking her every move.

Now Ms. Kennedy has added something else to the list: a platform — of sorts.

On Saturday, Ms. Kennedy’s spokesman provided written answers to 15 questions posed by The New York Times. Most of the answers were brief, and some did not fully address the questions. Taken together, they cover a small part of the broad array of issues, from the parochial to the profound, that any New York senator is expected to confront.

But as Ms. Kennedy continues her effort to convince Gov. David A. Paterson that she deserves the seat being vacated by Mrs. Clinton, the answers — drafted by Ms. Kennedy and her staff — provide a glimpse of her political ideology.

In most respects, Ms. Kennedy’s answers portray her as being in line with New York Democrats’ views similar to those of New York’s senior senator, Charles E. Schumer, and Mrs. Clinton.

On social issues, Ms. Kennedy opposes restrictions on abortion rights, including laws that would require young women to notify a parent before obtaining an abortion. She described herself as a “strong supporter” of gun control, a stance that will likely find much more favor in New York City and its suburbs than upstate. Unlike Mrs. Clinton, however, Ms. Kennedy seems to support same-sex marriage.

“Caroline supports full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples,” the statement said.

She also appears to share mainstream Democratic views on most labor issues. Ms. Kennedy supports federal legislation, known as the “card check” bill, that would make it easier for unions to organize, the highest priority for the labor movement. She expressed some concern about what she described as “unintended, negative consequences” of the North American Free Trade Agreement, though stopped short of saying that it should be modified.

Ms. Kennedy also said she supported the auto industry bailout bill passed by the House and widely supported in parts of upstate New York that are home to auto-parts manufacturers.

But other answers may prove more controversial. Ms. Kennedy declined to say whether she supports placing a cap on local property taxes in New York, a hot-button issue that has sharply divided Democrats and Republicans in Albany. And Ms. Kennedy, who lives on Park Avenue, also declined to say whether she supports raising state or federal income taxes for the rich to help balance the budget and pay for government programs.

Ms. Kennedy, whose Senate bid has been aggressively championed in recent days by Joel I. Klein, the city’s schools chancellor, also supports Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s bid to retain mayoral control of schools.

In response to a question about whether she would favor modifying the school-governance law—which must be renewed by state lawmakers in the coming months — Ms. Kennedy’s statement said: “She is always open to new ideas on how to make the law better so long as they don’t prevent the mayor from taking the actions he thinks are appropriate and for which he will be held accountable.”

On illegal immigration, Ms. Kennedy hews closely to the path promoted by her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, backing a so-called path to citizenship for the undocumented.

“Caroline believes all undocumented workers should be required to legalize their presence in the United States and that we must create a way for them to do so,” according to her statement. “Undocumented workers should pay a fine, learn English and go to the back of the line behind those who came here legally.”

Ms. Kennedy also answered written questions from other publications, including Politico.com. It reported on Saturday that Ms. Kennedy opposed the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq and “supports President-elect Obama’s plan to work with our military leaders to begin a responsible withdrawal.”

But Ms. Kennedy, who is close to Mr. Bloomberg, a registered Independent, declined to answer a question about whether she would support a Democratic candidate for mayor during the 2009 elections.

She also would not say whether she supported Mr. Bloomberg’s controversial but successful efforts to alter New York’s term-limits law to allow him to run for a third term.

While Ms. Kennedy’s stance on various of issues would undoubtedly be of interest to many New Yorkers, particularly since she has remained out of the spotlight for so many years, the only vote that she must win for now is Mr. Paterson’s.

I still think Carolyn Kennedy is very uncomfortable in the public arena and I am very reluctant to say that she is qualified for such an office. I will give her credit for her years of tireless service to education. I did not think that Hillary Clinton was as qualified as she tried to lead us to believe when she first ran for the Senate, but she had that tenacity and determination to prove that she would be a great senator. I don't see that burning ambition in Carolyn Kennedy. Andrew Cuomo is my choice, but alas, the final word will come from Governor Patterson.

Caroline Kennedy Finally Reveals Her Positions and is Very Middle-of-the-Road on Most Issues

I wondered what Caroline Kennedy's views are on the hot button issues facing America and I read a New York Times article that cleared the air for me. She is, as I expected, middle on the road on most issues and still cautious on others. Here's the NY Times article in its entirety:

Kennedy’s Platform Has Mostly Mainstream Democratic Views

NICHOLAS CONFESSORE

Published: December 20, 2008

ALBANY — In just a few days, Caroline Kennedy’s bid to replace Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has acquired nearly all the trappings of a traditional New York statewide campaign: a bevy of consultants, a tour of upstate cities and television cameras tracking her every move.

Now Ms. Kennedy has added something else to the list: a platform — of sorts.

On Saturday, Ms. Kennedy’s spokesman provided written answers to 15 questions posed by The New York Times. Most of the answers were brief, and some did not fully address the questions. Taken together, they cover a small part of the broad array of issues, from the parochial to the profound, that any New York senator is expected to confront.

But as Ms. Kennedy continues her effort to convince Gov. David A. Paterson that she deserves the seat being vacated by Mrs. Clinton, the answers — drafted by Ms. Kennedy and her staff — provide a glimpse of her political ideology.

In most respects, Ms. Kennedy’s answers portray her as being in line with New York Democrats’ views similar to those of New York’s senior senator, Charles E. Schumer, and Mrs. Clinton.

On social issues, Ms. Kennedy opposes restrictions on abortion rights, including laws that would require young women to notify a parent before obtaining an abortion. She described herself as a “strong supporter” of gun control, a stance that will likely find much more favor in New York City and its suburbs than upstate. Unlike Mrs. Clinton, however, Ms. Kennedy seems to support same-sex marriage.

“Caroline supports full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples,” the statement said.

She also appears to share mainstream Democratic views on most labor issues. Ms. Kennedy supports federal legislation, known as the “card check” bill, that would make it easier for unions to organize, the highest priority for the labor movement. She expressed some concern about what she described as “unintended, negative consequences” of the North American Free Trade Agreement, though stopped short of saying that it should be modified.

Ms. Kennedy also said she supported the auto industry bailout bill passed by the House and widely supported in parts of upstate New York that are home to auto-parts manufacturers.

But other answers may prove more controversial. Ms. Kennedy declined to say whether she supports placing a cap on local property taxes in New York, a hot-button issue that has sharply divided Democrats and Republicans in Albany. And Ms. Kennedy, who lives on Park Avenue, also declined to say whether she supports raising state or federal income taxes for the rich to help balance the budget and pay for government programs.

Ms. Kennedy, whose Senate bid has been aggressively championed in recent days by Joel I. Klein, the city’s schools chancellor, also supports Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s bid to retain mayoral control of schools.

In response to a question about whether she would favor modifying the school-governance law—which must be renewed by state lawmakers in the coming months — Ms. Kennedy’s statement said: “She is always open to new ideas on how to make the law better so long as they don’t prevent the mayor from taking the actions he thinks are appropriate and for which he will be held accountable.”

On illegal immigration, Ms. Kennedy hews closely to the path promoted by her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, backing a so-called path to citizenship for the undocumented.

“Caroline believes all undocumented workers should be required to legalize their presence in the United States and that we must create a way for them to do so,” according to her statement. “Undocumented workers should pay a fine, learn English and go to the back of the line behind those who came here legally.”

Ms. Kennedy also answered written questions from other publications, including Politico.com. It reported on Saturday that Ms. Kennedy opposed the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq and “supports President-elect Obama’s plan to work with our military leaders to begin a responsible withdrawal.”

But Ms. Kennedy, who is close to Mr. Bloomberg, a registered Independent, declined to answer a question about whether she would support a Democratic candidate for mayor during the 2009 elections.

She also would not say whether she supported Mr. Bloomberg’s controversial but successful efforts to alter New York’s term-limits law to allow him to run for a third term.

While Ms. Kennedy’s stance on various of issues would undoubtedly be of interest to many New Yorkers, particularly since she has remained out of the spotlight for so many years, the only vote that she must win for now is Mr. Paterson’s.

I still think Carolyn Kennedy is very uncomfortable in the public arena and I am very reluctant to say that she is qualified for such an office. I will give her credit for her years of tireless service to education. I did not think that Hillary Clinton was as qualified as she tried to lead us to believe when she first ran for the Senate, but she had that tenacity and determination to prove that she would be a great senator. I don't see that burning ambition in Carolyn Kennedy. Andrew Cuomo is my choice, but alas, the final word will come from Governor Patterson.

Edwin Thomas, 46, NYC Bus Driver Stabbed To Death By Horace Moore in Front of Riders Over $2 Transfer Slip

UPDATE: Edwin Thomas was stabbed to death by scumbag Horace Moore, who has confessed to the crime. Murder charges are pending. According to the NY Daily News,

Moore, paroled ex-con suspected in the vicious slaying of the bus driver was free to kill despite a violent past that included a July bust for toting a knife in the subway.Horace Moore, 20, was barely out of prison on an attempted murder conviction when he was grabbed four months ago with the folding knife aboard a C train in Brooklyn, the Daily News learned Tuesday. The paroled recidivist - who's been busted at least eight times since 2002 - was released after the knife arrest, sources told The News. The case was adjourned, and Moore was told the charge would be dropped if he stayed out of trouble, the sources said.

Why am I not surprised that this scumbag was a repeat offender? Why is it that the most violent offenders among us get a free pass to terrorize innocent people instead of being behind bars? I am appalled that, once again, the penal system has failed to protect the public. This man did not deserve to die, especially at the hands of a animal who deserved to be behind bars. Stop incarcerating people who have committed minor crimes, incarcerate violent scumbags like Horace Moore.

What is going on in this country? There are too many lunatics and thugs roaming our streets. The police said New York City bus driver Edwin Thomas, 46 was stabbed to death Monday afternoon by a rider apparently angry over not receiving a free transfer. Thomas, the driver of the B-46 bus, was operating the bus in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and picked up the suspect around 12:30 p.m. Monday at Malcolm X Boulevard near Gates Avenue.

Police said the man swiped an invalid fare card and sat down on the bus, then asked for a transfer slip usually available to riders. Police told CBS 2 HD that when the driver told the man that he didn't pay for the ride and couldn't get a transfer, the man punched the driver in the head and stabbed him to death while other riders looked on.

"It's crazy because, I mean, the bus driver was cool," witness Benjamin Stacking said. "He let me on. I was 50 cents short and he still let me on and gave me a transfer, so that's kind of crazy."No reason to stab a bus driver if you are broke or have no money and can't get a transfer. No reason to stab a person."

Of course the scumbag fled on foot. Police are looking for a black male between 18 and 20 years old wearing black jeans and an Adidas jacket.

According to media reports, the incident marked the first time a NYC bus driver has been killed on the job in 27 years. Police are offering a $12,000 reward for any information on the suspect.

Elliot Lee Sander, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's executive director and chief executive, said Thomas was a seven-year veteran and characterized him as "a valued employee" who would "be sorely missed." "Bus operator Thomas was killed while serving the people of New York City," Sander said. "This is an extraordinary tragedy for the city and the MTA."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg described Thomas in a statement as a "good man who was good at his job of helping move New York City.""In Edwin's memory, I ask all New Yorkers riding public transit tonight or tomorrow to take an extra moment to say 'Thank you' to our New York City Transit workers and I ask everyone to keep Edwin Thomas' family and loved ones in your prayers," the mayor's statement said.

The fatal attack on the bus driver, the mayor said, was "so shocking" partly because such violence has become rare. The last bus driver killed while on the job was Harvey Shield in 1981 in Brooklyn, the MTA said.

I hope they find that scumbag who couldn't even afford to pay his fare. Shameful and totally uncalled for. This man lost his life doing his job. My sympathies go out to his family.

Edwin Thomas, 46, NYC Bus Driver Stabbed To Death By Horace Moore in Front of Riders Over $2 Transfer Slip

UPDATE: Edwin Thomas was stabbed to death by scumbag Horace Moore, who has confessed to the crime. Murder charges are pending. According to the NY Daily News,

Moore, paroled ex-con suspected in the vicious slaying of the bus driver was free to kill despite a violent past that included a July bust for toting a knife in the subway.Horace Moore, 20, was barely out of prison on an attempted murder conviction when he was grabbed four months ago with the folding knife aboard a C train in Brooklyn, the Daily News learned Tuesday. The paroled recidivist - who's been busted at least eight times since 2002 - was released after the knife arrest, sources told The News. The case was adjourned, and Moore was told the charge would be dropped if he stayed out of trouble, the sources said.

Why am I not surprised that this scumbag was a repeat offender? Why is it that the most violent offenders among us get a free pass to terrorize innocent people instead of being behind bars? I am appalled that, once again, the penal system has failed to protect the public. This man did not deserve to die, especially at the hands of a animal who deserved to be behind bars. Stop incarcerating people who have committed minor crimes, incarcerate violent scumbags like Horace Moore.

What is going on in this country? There are too many lunatics and thugs roaming our streets. The police said New York City bus driver Edwin Thomas, 46 was stabbed to death Monday afternoon by a rider apparently angry over not receiving a free transfer. Thomas, the driver of the B-46 bus, was operating the bus in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and picked up the suspect around 12:30 p.m. Monday at Malcolm X Boulevard near Gates Avenue.

Police said the man swiped an invalid fare card and sat down on the bus, then asked for a transfer slip usually available to riders. Police told CBS 2 HD that when the driver told the man that he didn't pay for the ride and couldn't get a transfer, the man punched the driver in the head and stabbed him to death while other riders looked on.

"It's crazy because, I mean, the bus driver was cool," witness Benjamin Stacking said. "He let me on. I was 50 cents short and he still let me on and gave me a transfer, so that's kind of crazy."No reason to stab a bus driver if you are broke or have no money and can't get a transfer. No reason to stab a person."

Of course the scumbag fled on foot. Police are looking for a black male between 18 and 20 years old wearing black jeans and an Adidas jacket.

According to media reports, the incident marked the first time a NYC bus driver has been killed on the job in 27 years. Police are offering a $12,000 reward for any information on the suspect.

Elliot Lee Sander, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's executive director and chief executive, said Thomas was a seven-year veteran and characterized him as "a valued employee" who would "be sorely missed." "Bus operator Thomas was killed while serving the people of New York City," Sander said. "This is an extraordinary tragedy for the city and the MTA."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg described Thomas in a statement as a "good man who was good at his job of helping move New York City.""In Edwin's memory, I ask all New Yorkers riding public transit tonight or tomorrow to take an extra moment to say 'Thank you' to our New York City Transit workers and I ask everyone to keep Edwin Thomas' family and loved ones in your prayers," the mayor's statement said.

The fatal attack on the bus driver, the mayor said, was "so shocking" partly because such violence has become rare. The last bus driver killed while on the job was Harvey Shield in 1981 in Brooklyn, the MTA said.

I hope they find that scumbag who couldn't even afford to pay his fare. Shameful and totally uncalled for. This man lost his life doing his job. My sympathies go out to his family.