Free Republic

All youth football games would be required to have a doctor present to monitor possible concussions as part of legislation considered Friday by the New York City Council. The hearing focused on the safety of young players who are even more vulnerable to brain injuries than their counterparts in high school, college and professional leagues. “It’s too common that kids are taught that getting your bell rung is OK and you need to play through it,” said Councilman Corey Johnson, a Democrat from Manhattan. “Repeated concussions can cause lifelong health injuries especially when the brain does not have time to...

Bring it on. In political, union and chattering circles, the idea of allowing retail behemoth Wal-Mart into the borders of New York City is viewed as destructive. Akin to blending polyester into silken La Perla thongs. Or inviting Lindsay Lohan to an open bar. Last summer, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who I suspect rejects a bargain on her Hanes, said that if Wal-Mart won't increase wages and stop running extortionate mom-and-pops out of business (like Target, Best Buy and Pathmark do), "I will block any attempt to locate in the five boroughs." City Councilman Charles Barron last month said that...

Miguel Martinez, a member of the New York City Council whose once-promising political career ended when he abruptly resigned this week, pleaded guilty Thursday morning to three felony counts involving the misuse of public money intended for nonprofit organizations. Each of the charges carries up to a maximum of 20 years in prison, but under a plea agreement with the United States attorney’s office in Manhattan, prosecutors have recommended that he serve 51 to 72 months. The sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 31.

This is the second time they will have tried to pass this in the past month---with zero input from the public, I might add. The first time they tried to bring it to a vote, certain hard-left elements in the council objected because they didn't think the resolution was antiwar enough, and the few conservatives on the council would not have voted for it under any circumstances. So Gifford Miller cancelled the vote. Now it's on the calendar again for Wednesday, and it looks like they are aiming for a resolution so "reasonable" that they think no one could possibly...