By Colin Campbell 2/06 12:40pm

Academia

(Photo: Getty)

Bloomberg Suggests North Korea as a Home for Brooklyn College Critics

Ever since Brooklyn College’s political science department made the controversial decision to co-sponsor a forum promoting BDS–boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel–New York City’s elected officials have thoroughly condemned them and even hinted that the publicly-funded institution could suffer financial consequences as a result. At a press conference today on Hurricane Sandy relief, however, Mayor Michael Bloomberg passionately defended the university’s right to sponsor the event.

“I couldn’t disagree more violently with BDS,” Mr. Bloomberg explained. “As you know, I’m a big supporter of Israel–as big of a one as I think you can find in the city. But I could also not agree more strongly with an academic department’s right to sponsor a forum on any topic that they choose. If you want to go to a university where the government decides what kind of subjects are fit for discussion, I suggest you apply to a school in North Korea.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 10/09/12 8:39am

pbs punches

Video

(Photo: YouTube)

Obama Campaign Blasts Romney With Big Bird Attack Ad

President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign has officially gone there.

In an ad released this morning, Mr. Obama takes Republican rival Mitt Romney to task for wanting to take the ax to Sesame Street‘s federal funding in a rather sarcastic fashion.

“Criminals, gluttons of greed,” the narrator stated after ticking off a  list of Wall Street crooks. “And the evil genius who towered over them? One man has the guts to speak his name.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/15/12 12:07pm

grimmcare

Congressman Grimm (Photo: Facebook)

Michael Grimm Extolled Hospital Funding Increase From Health Care Reform Bill He Voted To Repeal

Earlier this week, Congressman Michael Grimm proudly announced a $3 million annual increase in federal spending to the Richmond University Medical Center. However, the funding appears to have come from the health care reform bill that Mr. Grimm adamantly opposes and voted to repeal.

“I have worked tirelessly, from day one, to address the issue of a looming physician shortage,” Mr. Grimm said a statement touting the new funding. “[T]his announcement to reward RUMC with additional residency slots is welcomed news.”

The Staten Island Advance echoed this sentiment, reporting Mr. Grimm “helped the hospital obtain the cash.”

The Graduated Medical Education funding in question, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, actually appears to have come from the Affordable Care Act. Sure enough, in a spreadsheet posted on the site listing the GME funding increases from Section 5506 of the bill, RUMC’s provider number, 330028, is listed as receiving 31.44 extra slots for new medical residents, the exact amount, rounded up, as the 32 slots Mr. Grimm announced.

However, Mr. Grimm voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would have removed the 5506 funding.  Read More