‘2001 A Year to Remember’

NDD had a very active year in 2001 the Congressional Update Breakfast Series, the Statement of Principle press conference, Political Perspectives, Conversations on America, and co-sponsored a forum at Cooper Union in December.

The events of September 11th had a very telling effect on everything from business to politics. Indeed Bloomberg would not be Mayor if the disaster had never happened. As it is all our lives have taken a very different course. NDD had to cancel plans for an Autumn fundraiser and curtail events while sorting out the proper way to respond. We were all in a state of shock over the loss of so many lives.

In 2002 NDD will be very active starting with the Congressional Update Breakfast in January. New York is coming back as is the Democratic Party. The Gubernatorial race in NY and Congressional elections in November will be the next victories for the party.

NDD is going to participate in making these victories possible.

One of our main focuses in 2002 will be increasing membership. Towards this end we will be having special events and conferences. Towards this end everyone involved presently in NDD can make it a point to bring two new people to each event.

On December 12th NDD co-sponsored a forum with Democrats.com on the anniversary of last year’s Supreme Court decision in Bush vs Gore. The site was the Great Hall at Cooper Union the same room where Abraham Lincoln gave his Might Makes Right Speech which discredited slavery and put him on the road to the White House. The same podium is still there and putting my hands on it was an experience I’ll never forget.

Although the events of September 11th overshadowed the concerns of the 2000 Presidential election over 600 New Yorkers attended the forum. It was a night to look at the past in contrast to the present and see where we are headed as Democrats in the future. Contrary to Attorney General Ashcroft’s statement “those who scare peace loving people with phantoms of lost liberty my message is this your tactics only aid terrorists” we felt a healthy dose of good ole American politics could only show the world the terrorists have lost especially coming from New York City. Speakers included State Comptroller Carl McCall, Political Pundit Paul Begala, City Councilman Robert Jackson, City Councilwoman Yvette Clark, NYU Professors Todd Gitlin and Mark Crispin Miller, Nation Columnist John Nichols, activist Liz Abzug, and others.

NDD founder, Howard Teich, introduced Paul Begala who made one of the most brilliant and inspiring speeches of the evening. One topic he touched on was that of Nation Building. During his campaign President Bush contemptuously denounced Nation Building but current events have changed his view and Paul congratulated him on his conversion. His two most brilliant comments though have to be “In defense of Democracy we ought not surrender Democracy” and “I will not and I know you will not allow the United States Constitution to be collateral damage in the war against terrorism.” These were references to the current administration’s seeming disregard for civil liberties. Very potent words for those who believe we should sacrifice liberty for security. On the humorous side was his comment about ‘getting over it’ meaning the 2000 Presidential election. “Look folks I come from Texas okay, there are folks in my home town and in my home state who drive around in pickup trucks with Confederate flags and bumper stickers, hell if they can be mad about a war they lost 150 years ago can’t we be mad about an election that happened a year ago.”

The night was full of great speeches from opening to close. It is important that we maintain a civil discourse in this nation.

(continued below)

NDD Sponsors Holiday Party with NYS Democratic Committee

This year's Holiday Gala honored the new members of the City Council. Although attendance was down slightly from last year due to the problems of the Mayoral election there were many notables present. This was Judith Hope’s last official function as Chair of the State Democratic Committee but she is staying on as Financial Director.

Denny Farrell Jr. is the new State Committee Chair and NDD looks forward to working with him. 

 We agree that campaigns need not be divisive and that the real goal is the November Election.

However contrary to Mr. Farrell’s belief that groups outside the Democratic Party somehow drain resources it is these groups that give the 

Democratic Party it’s strength.

The evening was a celebration of the latest Democratic victories. Due to term limits there are 36 new City Council Members.

 We will need all of their talents to restore our city. NDD looks forward to working with the new City Council towards this end..

NDD wishes Judith Hope all the best in her new position and looks forward to a continuing relationship with the State Democratic Committee. We look forward to the next Holiday Gala.

Conversations on America:

Freedom ,Terrorism, and Civil Liberties

A Word From the Chair

        Thomas Acosta     Howard Teich

         Chair                     Founder-Chair

Christopher Acosta

The tragedy of 9/11 will never be forgotten . That morning lives with all Americans as does the memory of Pearl Harbor. New Yorkers are constantly reminded every time we look at the skyline of the loss from a senseless act of terrorism. I experienced the entire event and all the days of sorrow that followed from Union Square. One of the positive effects though was that for the first time people I have seen in my elevator every morning for the past couple of years I finally got to know. In fact new Yorkers on the street were all drawn together and wanting to know the person next to them. It was as if New York suddenly became just like every other small town in America. Everybody wanted to pull together and bring this great city back to life.

In the months since we have slipped back into daily routines work, shopping, and going out. There is a noticeable difference though people are more polite than before and I say hi to all my neighbors as we ride down in the elevator every morning.

Labor Achievement Award

On April 11th the NDD Labor Achievement Award will be presented to Denis M. Hughes, President of the NY State AFL-CIO and Randi Weingarten, President of the United Federation of Teachers.

On New Year’s Eve I decided to attend parties from lower Manhattan by Ground Zero to upper Manhattan by Columbia University stopping in Times Square at midnight. This was an odyssey to find out how Manhattan felt as well as a celebration of the New Year. My first stop was in the East Village at a party thrown by some political activists. Of course the conversation, decidedly political, was about current events and the possibility of continued terrorists attacks on our city even Times Square at midnight. This thought in mind I proceeded to my next stop down by Ground Zero. John and Ann are artists and live in a huge loft about four blocks north of the Trade Center site. The streets were empty down here just a few locals walking dogs or visiting friends. I arrived to a houseful of guests and the conversation here centered on ‘art’. It was great discussing things other than politics as much as I love the subject. People were in a very festive and upbeat mood surprising so close to the scene of the tragedy. The food was delicious and after two glasses of wine I had to sadly move on to the next party. Walking through Soho the streets were noticeably more crowded, a lot of parties happening in this part of town. The scene at 495 Broadway was very crowded with loud music, fully stocked

bars, and lots of food. The people here were from all over the city. Lot’s of dancing and it seemed everyone just wanted to forget 2001 or at least start fresh in 2002. I would have stayed here but for the fact it was New Year’s and it was getting near time to head to Times Square. I got the R train to 57th street arriving there at 11P. Other years the train was definitely more crowded at this time. As I walked down 58th street it was plain to see less people were attending this New Year’s celebration usually 7th Ave is packed all the way up to 59th street by this hour. A big disappointment was that the fireworks in Central Park had been cancelled, a sign of the true concern by city officials that something might happen. There were also many more police officers on the scene about three times the number of previous years. I arrived at my friend Andrew’s party at about 11:15P on 57th street and 8th Ave. The crowd here is upscale mostly young and the views from his place are spectacular across Central Park. We talked about the events of the past year and everyone was in agreement that 2002 had to be a better year. I decided to welcome in the New Year here as the fireworks had been cancelled, the reason for being at the upper end of 7th Ave is to catch the fireworks and the Ball drop in Times Square both are visible from that location. As the clock struck 12 it was almost as if everyone was relieved 2001 was finally over and 2002 would be the complete opposite for New York. 

I continued my party excursion heading to West 74 Street with a companion who pointed out that this party may be over as the couple throwing it had young children. There was no need for concern however as the party was still in full swing and the children awake were dancing with their parents. This party was given by two Columbia professors and everyone was in great spirits. After a couple of dances with two very beautiful children we were off to the final party of the evening. The address was on Morningside Drive at 121st Street at the home of Abiodun Oyewole of the Last Poets. The party was totally packed with people in the hallway. The music was great and the dancing wild. It was 2002 so no one was talking about 2001 they just wanted to dance away in the New Year.

On this journey to find out how people all over Manhattan would bring in the New Year there was still a deep pain about September 11th. However people are moving forward because it will take more than a cowardly act to destroy the essence of New York. The life of this city is in it’s people not in the buildings. We are all committed to making New York the best city in the world. Most of all though is the fact we are not frightened by the events of 9/11 and deserting New York. It was this spirit of determination that was everywhere I went on New Year’s Eve. We will be here in 2002 and on into the future perhaps a little more protective of our great city but with the grand resolve to rebuild, reinvigorate, and show the world what it means to be from New York .

Happy New Year!

From the Office                                                  

Christopher Acosta                                                                      

Executive Director

Greetings from Madison Ave! In the past year not enough of you stopped by to discuss politics and current affairs hopefully in 2002 this will change. Granted the office is a Spartan place with no coffee machine or water cooler like the fancier offices but there are many deli’s in the neighborhood. So come on by it’s lonely up here!

This year I hope many more of our members will be using the website. I need lots of input. For example if there are events happening around town send me the information so I can post it on the web. We’d like to make the Calendar of Events page a place people start relying on to find out what’s up in New York. The forum is a great place for discussions and this year I’ll be posting a new topic weekly. We will also extend an invitation to leaders in the community to be part of the forum discussions on a regular basis. Contact the office for the password which will be changed on a monthly basis.

If anyone has a topic they wish to write on don’t hesitate to call the office. We can put it in the

Newsletter , which is going to be bimonthly from now on, or on the website.

I’d like to get everyone involved in the activities now in the planning stages for 2002. If you have suggestions for activities contact the office ( numbers on the right). I look forward to a very politically active 2002.

Cooper Union December 12th  (continued )

The war on terrorism doesn’t mean we all just fold on every issue. In fact doing so would give the terrorists the victory they seek. It is patriotic to take an interest in the actions of our leaders and to speak out if we disagree with those actions. This is true in time of peace or war. It is the lifeblood of our nation and our strength. We need to have more forums such as this and it is important that New York be the place they happen .

We are in the process of putting audio files containing excerpts of the speeches on our website. Tapes can also be ordered by writing or calling the office .

Conversations on America:

Freedom ,Terrorism, and Civil Liberties  (continued )

Office:

New Democratic Dimensions

152 Madison Ave # 804

New York, NY 10016

Phone: 212.481.7251

Fax:     212.481.9015

Email: nddmain@newdd.org

Website: www.newdd.org

Notification of Upcoming Events

We will notify you of upcoming events by fax or email.  Please register on our website to use the forum and receive  information.

Voter registration information can be found at:

http://vote.nyc.ny.us/BoePages/r.htm