Actress and Activist

12/09/2008 New York City: The street noise of Greenwich Village was no match for the boundless energy of 30-year-old actress and political activist Celia Keenan-Bolger. Keenan-Bolger, a Tony nominated actress, has had a very busy past couple of months and she is still readjusting to city life after spending six weeks earlier this fall entrenched in the Plymouth Meeting, Pa. office of Barack Obama for President.

“After having such an inspiring and fulfilling experience in Pennsylvania, I’m finding it hard to re-insert myself into my old life,” said Keenan-Bolger, who lives just blocks from Washington Square Park. “Pursuing acting feels so much more self-absorbed and shallow now compared to what I was doing this fall.”

A love of politics was ingrained in Keenan-Bolger very early in her life. Her parents first met at a Socialist Party meeting in Detroit, Mich. Keenan-Bolger was born and raised in inner-city Detroit, the oldest of three children.

“Everyone talks about Detroit with so much sympathy and despair,” said Keenan-Bolger. “But when I was growing up, I thought it was like any other place to grow up. My parents took advantage of every opportunity to give us a good life.”

Her father, a former Peace Corps volunteer, instilled in all his children a passion for community service. Keenan-Bolger’s mother, a teacher, was also a role model for the young Keenan-Bolger children. She ran a community-mentoring program in one of Detroit’s poorest neighborhoods.

In addition to Keenan-Bolger’s enthusiasm for civic affairs, she also has a love for the performing arts. She attended a fine-arts magnet high school in Detroit where she was one of only a handful of white students.

“It never occurred to me that being one of only three white kids was so rare,” she said.

Keenan-Bolger has put her talents as a performer and activist to good use. For the past three years she has spearheaded the organization of an annual New York Civil Liberties Union fundraiser called “Broadway Stand-Up for Freedom.”

“I was doing all these other benefits as a performer and I felt like it would be so nice to do something for an organization that I really felt strongly about,” said Keenan-Bolger. “Both my sister and brother are gay and the NYCLU does so much work on behalf of the LGBT community.”

When the opportunity arose this year to volunteer for the Obama campaign Keenan-Bolger didn’t hesitate, even though it meant removing herself from New York City and auditioning for her possible next job. Keenan-Bolger attended “Camp Obama,” a three-day training intensive, to prepare for the work she was about to begin in Pennsylvania.

“It felt like I was completely consumed by the election, it was the most important thing in my life at that moment, by a long-shot,” she said. “I was lucky that I have a profession that allows me to pick up and leave on a moment’s notice.”

Keenan-Bolger just finished performing as part of the “52nd Street Project,” a program that matches children in Hell’s Kitchen with professional theatre artists to create an original theatre piece.

“It couldn’t have been a better first job since returning from the Obama campaign,” said Keenan-Bolger, who received her Tony nomination for playing the role of Olive in the “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” in 2005. “It incorporated two of my favorite things, acting and giving back to the community.”

Keenan-Bolger continues to star in shows on and off Broadway and on television. She is leaving in a few weeks for San Diego, California where she will star in the new play, “Peter and the Star Catchers” at the La Jolla Playhouse.

Kirsten Gillibrand and Big Tobacco or What Happens When Newspapers Die?

It was more than a month ago that I first learned of Kirsten Gillibrand's ties to Big Tobacco. Gillibrand, who was appointed by Governor David Patterson to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, had numerous ties to Phillip Morris and Altria (Phillip Morris' attempt at creating a less controversial name). Tom Robbins, of the Village Voice, wrote an extensive article about Gillibrand and her time as an attorney working for Phillip Morris on February 10, 2009.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-02-11/columns/gillibrand-learned-how-to-defend-tobacco-s-dirtiest-secrets-as-a-young-lawyer/1

Robbins cites an earlier article published in the Albany paper, Times Union, by reporter James Odato. Odato's piece ran while Gillibrand was running to defend her congressional seat against Republican Sandy Treadwell, on October 16, 2008.

http://timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=729940&LinkFrom=RSS&TextPage=2

The New York Times finally reported on the issue last week in an extensive article written by Raymond Hernandez and David Kocieniewski.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/nyregion/27gillibrand.html?pagewanted=1&sq=gillibrand%20tobacco&st=cse&scp=2


Now, the three articles basically outline the same basic facts: Kirsten Gillibrand worked at a law firm from 1991-2000, while there one of her main assignments was defending Phillip Morris. All the articles try to determine just how important a player she was on that assignment or was she, as her campaign insists, just doing her job as a lowly associate, going through files.

All three articles contacted Gillibrand's staff. Odato and Robbins were able to get more candid responses while the Times got mostly non-answers. The Times article, however, is by far the longest and contains the most in-depth coverage and research. It is clear that the Times was able to capitalize on its resources and produce a thorough and exhaustive piece.

The question is, what took them so long and also, would they have even done an article if the Voice and Times Union had not?

What if the Times Union and the Voice were forced to shut down like so many other newspapers around the country? The work that James Odato did on this issue was the catalyst for the other articles. Some media analysts are saying that it is quite possible that many major cities will be without a hometown daily paper in the years to come. Seattle lost one of its two dailies on March 17th, when the Post-Intelligencer (owned by Hearst Corp., parent company of Albany Times Union) shut down its print edition. And just today Chicago Sun Times filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200903310918DOWJONESDJONLINE000405_FORTUNE5.htm


In Michael Hirschorn's Atlantic Monthly piece, "End Times", about the death of print journalism, he states:

"The collapse of daily print journalism will mean many things. It will mean the end of a certain kind of quasi-bohemian urban existence for the thousands of smart middle-class writers, journalists, and public intellectuals who have, until now, lived semi-charmed kinds of lives of the mind. And it will seriously damage the press’s ability to serve as a bulwark of democracy. There’s no online substitute for institutions that can marshal years of well-developed sourcing and reporting experience."

This is very true. In switching to an on-line as opposed to print newspaper, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer went from a staff of 165 to a staff of 20! If the Albany Times Union made the same transition would James Odato have a job? Would his piece ever have been written? Who would fill the void? Scary thought; almost as scary as Gillibrand's work for Big Tobacco.

City Politics or Family Feud?

On February 18th, 2009, Adolfo Carrion Jr. (above, a Hunter College alum) was appointed the White House's Urban Affairs Chief. This appointment creates a vacancy in Carrion's present position; Bronx Borough President. What does a Borough President do? Well, according to Carrion's website:

"The Borough President works with the Mayor to prepare the annual executive budget submitted to the City Council, reviews and comments on major land use projects, and proposes sites for City facilities within his jurisdiction. The Borough President also monitors the administration of City services and engages in strategic planning for the economic development of the borough."


This position is very important and often can catapult the office holder to an even higher position, as we are seeing now, with Carrion.

However, the press coverage of the race to fill his seat has been largely void of any substance. Bronx politics is a very confusing affair. There are several families who control much of what goes on in Bronx politics. The two families at the center of the battle for Carrion's seat are the Diazes and the Riveras. For the past year, there has been a war for control of the Democratic Party in the Bronx and these two families have been front and center. The next battle is who wins the Bronx Borough Presidency. The special election will be help in 45 days. The position is up for election again in November of this year. The winner of the Democratic Primary in September will most likely be the winner in November.



The only media coverage of the race I have found centers on the struggle between Ruben Diaz Jr (above left) and Joel Rivera (above right). Unfortunately, the media is only covering the drama between these two factions and not on any policy or issue questions. Are there differences between these two candidates? Who knows? Good luck trying to find out.

Here are some links to recent coverage:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/vacancy-adds-to-heat-in-bronx-political-feu/

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/02/23/2009-02-23_adolfos_departure_creates_fallout.html

Unfortunately, the NY media seems intent on framing this important election as a family feud; a horserace. Do the candidates have any policy differences?

Ruben Diaz Jr. was elected to the NY State Assembly at the age of 23 in 1996. His father, Ruben Diaz Sr., is a NY State Senator and a member of the "Gang of Three", who held up the election of Malcolm Smith as the first Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate in 40 years. Although both are Democrats Diaz Sr. is staunchly conservative, anti-gay and anti abortion. His son, Diaz Jr., is much more liberal and a strong ally of Al Sharpton.

Joel Rivera was elected to the New York City council in 2001 when he was just 22 years old and at 23 was elected as Majority Leader of the council. He is a strong public health advocate and both his sister and father serve in the NY State Assembly -alongside Diaz Jr- confusing right.

As for their plans for the Bronx- we have yet to hear. Hopefully more opportunities are created for the two men to talk about the issues affecting the Bronx today. Diaz Jr. has been endorsed by the Bronx County Democratic Party and Rivera Jr. has yet to officially announce his candidacy.

Update!

Hey Blog Readers!

I am writing for a community newspaper in the South Bronx. Check it out here www.huntspointexpress.com

These are a couple articles I wrote independently for a class.

Columbus Day Parade Overshadowed by Term Limits
10/17/08 New York City: The sounds of area marching bands provided a soundtrack to the bustle as the 64th annual Columbus Day Parade prepared to commence yesterday at 11:15 a.m. At the corner of 44th Street and 5th Avenue parade directors in three-piece suits scurried back and forth to organize the hundreds of parade participants, who were about to march up 5th Avenue to 79th Street. Amidst all the costumed marchers and flag-waving spectators, members of the press waited between 43rd and 44th Streets for the arrival of many of New York’s political leaders. The issue of term-limits was about to take center stage with the parade as a backdrop.

Congressman Anthony Weiner was the first to arrive on the scene. The congressman walked briskly down 5th Avenue to greet the pack of reporters and television cameras. Weiner spent several minutes talking to spectators before launching into an attack on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s term-limit extension proposal.

“Whether you like term limits or you dislike them, there is a right way to change them and there is a wrong way,” said Weiner, a prospective mayoral candidate. “Going against the public will is the wrong way!”

Weiner, surrounded by three aides, was engulfed by the press for further comments before being hustled into his spot in the parade line-up.

Next to arrive was Governor David Patterson. The governor spoke to several reporters but did not have a formal press conference. He waited with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for Mayor Bloomberg to arrive.

The mayor was soon delivered by a black, ethanol-fueled SUV. The mayor, dressed casually in khakis and a plaid shirt, greeted the governor and attorney general. He then proceeded to the podium to answer questions from the press.

“If the city council passes the bill, I will sign it,” he said. “Being mayor is a great job and I love it.”

Parade participants not 30 feet away didn’t allow the partisan debate to cloud their day of celebration. Annalisa D’Acunto was about to march in her first New York City Columbus Day parade. D’Acunto, dressed in a traditional 19th century Italian costume, was representing the Stamford, Conn. Minturnese Social Club. Term limits were the furthest thing from her mind.

“Columbus Day is a day of celebrating Italian culture and heritage, “ D’Acunto said. “I couldn’t be more excited!”

Night of Joy Turns into Day of Sorrow
11/11/08 New York City: It was just after 11 P.M. on election night, when yells, screams and cheers reverberated in the streets all throughout New York City. For the first time in history, the United States had elected an African-American as President and Commander-in-Chief. Revelers at one East Village viewing party spilled out into the street to join strangers in their celebration. However, for many celebrants, joy soon turned to disappointment as it became clear that in California, Proposition 8 was all but certain to pass.

Proposition 8 is a ballot proposition that will amend the California Constitution to read, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Proposition 8 passed with 52.3% of the vote.

The passage of Proposition 8 was a crushing blow to gay and lesbian Californians who had been given the right of same-sex marriage only four months before the election by the California Supreme Court. In that time, 18,000 couples exchanged wedding vows. Those marriages are now stuck in a state of legal-limbo.

“We know nothing, it's really frustrating,” said Joshua Safran, 33, a Los Angeles resident who married just weeks before the election. “We had it planned for a while, but we didn't think we'd have to do it before Election Day. And then as it got closer, and we saw the polling, we just moved it up. I don't know. It's all new territory. I am worried it won't last. But- stand up and be counted, for as long as you can, right?”

Others were not as optimistic.

“Homophobia is one of the last accepted forms of bigotry,” said Todd Buonopane, a 29-year-old educator from Astoria, New York. “Obama’s election is a big step forward for equality for all races, but especially for African Americans. Ironically, many pundits point to the large African American voter turnout for why Prop 8 passed.”

According to exit polls 70% of African-Americans voted for the passage of Proposition 8. Latino voters voted 53% in favor. The numbers were an ironic truth for many Obama supporters who also support gay marriage. The outpouring of support for Barack Obama from minority voters may have been the reason why Proposition 8 was able to pass.

Consequently, for many Obama supporters across the country the celebration period was short lived.

“I was moved beyond words when I saw that Obama had been declared the winner,” said Hannah Roth, a talent agent in Los Angeles. “I wanted to celebrate but I was too depressed about Proposition 8. I had worked so hard in the weeks prior to the election to defeat it. I feel like everyone’s hard work was in vain.”

For some, feelings of sadness evolved into feelings of anger.

“I have thought long and hard about this,” said Chase Brock, 25, who was married to his male partner this summer in San Francisco. “I will not tolerate anyone who supports the hate-filled Proposition 8.”

Those feelings of anger have become the impetus for many protests and rallies across the country. Rallies fanned across California on the Sunday following Election Day when the proposition was passed. The Mormon Church has become a target of the protestors who are angered by the Church’s financial support of the proposition. A protest was held outside of the Mormon Temple, in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, November 6th, attended by thousands. New Yorkers are planning their own protest outside of the New York Mormon Temple at the corner of Columbus Avenue and 65th Street on Wednesday, November 12th at 6:30 P.M.

New Address!

Hey Blog Readers!

I changed the address of my blog because the old one was, well, old. It was also a little confusing. All of the same content is here! Check out some of the old videos and posts. There are some gems on here! I am hoping to put a new vlog up soon. Enjoy faithful blog watchers!

Joe

Beautiful Things!

Hey Blog Watchers!

Here is a clip of an American Express Blue commercial I did. I just found it on Youtube. My part is at the end. Enjoy!

One Year Anniversary!

Hey Blog Readers!

So, can you all believe that a whole year has gone by since the launch of nyc2la2007.blogspot.com? It almost didn't come to my attention until I was flooded with emails and comments (and a few gifts; more would be appreciated) from all of you!!

I have been getting re-settled here in NYC over the past 3 months. I am so sorry that the posting has not been more regular. I am moving into a new apartment in two short weeks, on my birthday, November 3! Which is also the day before Barack Obama is elected our new President! Yay!

Remember Celia, from last years road-trip to LA? Well, Celia has been subletting her amazing studio apartment in the village to her younger brother, Andrew. Andrew is going on tour for 14 months. Therefore, I will now be subletting from Celia. I can't wait.

I have also been in school since the end of August at Hunter College. I'm trying to finish off that pesky Bachelors Degree that I have been working on for the past 12 years. However, I did finish a masters degree in that time. The thing is, Yale won't give me my actual MFA until I have a B.A. Got it?

I'm not sure when I will be able to take another epic road-trip to document here on the Blog. Maybe I can start doing a NYC blog with fun activities and post them here.

What do you, my voracious readers, want to see?

Thanks again for all the hundreds of emails and comments. They keep me going.

Best,
Joe