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What You Should Know

By Colin Campbell 5/30/12 11:59am

What You Should Know

Ruben Diaz Sr.

Diaz Sr. Compares Hassell-Thompson to Judas

State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., known for randomly making bold declarations in “What You Should Know” statements, has waded deeper into the politics of the Democratic conference in the New York State Senate this morning. Much deeper.

Previously, Mr. Diaz slammed an unnamed colleague as a “rat” for leaking information to the New York Daily News about discontent with Minority Leader John Sampson. But now, with a recent article in the same newspaper citing Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson as a potential new leader, Mr. Diaz has pointed his finger squarely at Ms. Hassell Thompson. Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/09/12 9:25am

What You Should Know

Ruben Diaz. Sr.

Diaz Sr. Compares Legislation Restricting Happy Meal Toys to The ‘American Holocaust’

Democratic State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. certainly isn’t interested in slowing down after he last got criticized for invoking Hitler in order to slam a reproductive health bill, as today he’s at it again in order to criticize legislation aiming to only place toys in healthier fast food meals.

“Senate Bill 6386, sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera, and Assembly Bill 7662, sponsored by Assembly Member Felix Ortiz, both Hispanic and Puerto Rican, are calling for a law to dictate which restaurants may or may not distribute toys or as they call them,” Mr. Diaz wrote in one of his infamous “What You Should Know” statements. “It does not make sense! It is disturbing to see these same elected officials fight tooth and nail to give a woman the right to kill an unborn baby, because according to them, it is a woman’s choice to do what they want with their bodies.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/18/12 2:33pm

What You Should Know

Ruben Diaz Sr.

Diaz Sr. Goes After Congressional Incumbents Across The Board

In another one of his increasingly infamous “What You Should Know” statements, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. noted the longevity of New York City’s congressional delegation and bluntly said it’s time for some of them to hang up their spurs and leave politics.

“This situation is at a point where some Members of New York’s Congressional Delegation have finally decided to retire and let new blood take over,” Mr. Diaz wrote, noting areas of economic impoverishment in the city. “Apparently, not all of them will voluntarily open the door to leave and allow for new blood to come in, and as such, new blood is forcing them to retire.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 4/17/12 11:25am

What You Should Know

Ruben Diaz Sr. (Photo: nysenate.gov)

Ruben Diaz Thinks Government Agencies And The Press Are Out To Get Him

State Senator Ruben Diaz sent out one of his periodic “What You Should Know” missives today in which described the arrest of a campaign aide who worked for one of his charities as part of the government’s failed vendetta against him. Clement Gardner was arrested last month and charged with stealing $75,000 from the Christian Community Benevolent Association, which was founded by Mr. Diaz. Mr. Gardner allegedly took the money between 2004 and 2007, when he confessed his crimes to the FBI. In his message today, Mr. Diaz speculated the FBI didn’t immediately arrest Mr. Gardner because they wanted help in “their quest to get Senator Ruben Diaz.”

“Anybody would think that the right thing for the FBI to have done would be to inform the organization,” Mr. Diaz said. “You should also know my dear reader, that contrary to what reasonable people would do, the FBI authorized Mr. Gardner, through Agent Campbell, to go back to the agency where he stole more money. Was Mr. Gardner told: ‘We don’t care what you do we just want Senator Diaz. Go back keep doing what you’re doing and give us Senator Diaz?’” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/11/12 11:44am

What You Should Know

Ruben Diaz Sr.

Ruben Diaz Sr. Goes Off on Charlie Rangel’s ‘Hearing Aid’ Remark

During Congressman Charlie Rangel’s reelection kickoff yesterday, Mr. Rangel was asked about one of his main primary opponents, State Senator Adriano Espaillat, and remarked, ”I do know that there are a lot of people who hear voices to tell them to do things, but they really need hearing aids.”

And outspoken State Senator Ruben Diaz, in one of his regular “What You Should Know” statements, questioned Mr. Rangel’s remark today and suggested it was insensitive to people who do truly hear voices.

“There are credible explanations for why people hear voices. One explanation is mental illness, and the other is that the voices are part of a religious experience,” Mr.  Diaz wrote, going on to explain clinical schizophrenia before transitioning to his background as a Pentecostal minister. Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/28/12 11:55am

What You Should Know

Senator Ruben Diaz (Photo: RubenDiaz.com)

Ruben Diaz Says The ‘Four Amigos’ Inspired Jeff Klein’s IDC

State Senator Ruben Diaz sent out another one of his “What You Should Know” releases this morning with his version of the origin of State Senator Jeff Klein’s breakaway Independent Democratic Conference.

Mr. Diaz described the IDC as having descended from the Senate’s infamous “four amigos,” which consisted of himself, and former State Senators Carl Kruger, Pedro Espada and Hiram Monserrate. Mr. Diaz is the last remaining amigo after Mr. Kruger was forced to resign from the Senate after pleading guilty to corruption charges, Mr. Espada lost his re-election bid amid his own corruption case and Mr. Monserrate was expelled from the Senate after pleading guilty to slashing his girlfriend. According to Mr. Diaz, Mr. Klein and the IDC have learned from the mistakes of the “four amigos” and “perfected” their ideas. Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/23/12 9:38am

What You Should Know

ruben-diaz

Ruben Diaz Sr.: ‘Gay Marriage Has Backfired On The Democratic Party’

Outspoken anti-gay marriage State Senate Ruben Diaz Sr. is at it again.

In his latest “What You Should Know” statement, he joined the National Organization for Marriage in directly attributing Republican candidate for the State Senate David Storobin’s current lead in last Tuesday’s special election to the same-sex marriage legislation passed in New York last year.

“Starting with the defeat of David Weprin by Bob Turner for the Congressional seat vacated by Anthony Weiner, and most recently with the embarrassing defeat of Lew Fidler by David Storobin for the Senate seat vacated by Carl Kruger, the Democratic Party lost,” he said. “In each special election, the Democratic candidate was expected to win handily given the composition of registered democrats in each district, and given the low turnout expected in special elections.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/18/12 7:51pm

What You Should Know

Senator Ruben Diaz (Photo: RubenDiaz.com)

Ruben Diaz: ‘I Have My Own Demons’

State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. sent out an epic press release today in which he again denied any involvement in the scandal surrounding his charity, accused Attorney General Eric Schneiderman of having a vendetta against him and urged local media to “go back to journalism school.”

“I am not a saint, and neither do I claim to walk on water. I have my own demons, but I assure you that they are not about a corrupt mind abusing the trust and confidence that my constituents have placed in me,” Mr. Diaz said.”

Mr. Diaz’s lengthy letter blasting the attorney general’s office and the press for looking at his charity’s finances was entitled, “God Hates Ugly and He is Watching.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/13/12 5:54pm

What You Should Know

Ruben Diaz Sr. (Photo: nysenate.gov)

Ruben Diaz Denies Involvement In Charity Scam

State Senator Ruben Diaz sent out one of his regular “What You Should Know” press releases to address the arrest of his campaign aide Clement Gardner for allegedly embezzling $75,000 from a charity founded by Mr. Diaz. Mr. Gardner’s arrest came after an FBI investigation into the charity, the Christian Community Benevolent Association. Mr. Diaz vehemently denied being involved in any wrongdoing.

“I assure you that if I ever lose my salvation, it will not be for taking money because I am in the business of giving not in the business of taking,” he wrote. Read More