First video of Party Caucus: July 30, 2008

[tanouryjr]

www.larrytanoury.com/caucus1.htm

Click the link to watch the full video of the caucus and the debate about having a camera in the caucus room.

[dgriffin]

Very good, Larry. and very revealing. You appear quite in control, but then you were the one in the room most ready for it. It is not surprising, however, to see a sense of discomfort on the part of legislators when a camera is first brought into session. So you owe it to them to continue to tape the meetings and put them up on the Internet.
While I presume you would like to derive some political benefit from this, I sense from the forum you really want open government and I applaud your efforts.

By the way, don't discount objections to the camera as synonymous with politicians wanting less open government. Politicians know that a camera in the room puts some of the actors at an advantage and others at a disadvantage. Many feel that fact in itself is unfair to those being taped. The camera adds at least ten pounds to one's weight and it seems to seek out and emphasize little quirks and nits. Unlike the way our eyes and brain take in everything when we are physically present, the lens zeros in on things, and I don't mean camera movement like zooming in. The heavyset bald guy at the right end of the table is an example. The camera emphasized the way he gobbled his donut and licked his fingers. In person, most of us would have never noticed that, his presence and personality obscuring it along with the ambient noise and chatter our ears would be picking up and our brain concentrating on. Also, we have a "practiced eye" when it comes to looking at video tape. As a result of looking for years at professional actors, we can't help comparing a taped meeting of lawmakers to an episode of "Law and Order."

[rickolney]

Nice effort, Larry. Best wishes to you on your staying power of recording and showing these caucus meetings.

[Clipper]

Haha. The guy with the donut is Utica's Dan LaBella. As a police chief, he is an expert in the field of donut consumption, hehe! Probably stops to see Ralph a couple times a night, LOL.

Not really. Just another cop at the donut shop joke.

Great job Larry. I am sure that the two who left, will be back. If they don't come back, there must be a reason that they don't want to be on camera.

I watched the entire video. It was very well taped and the sound was of adequate quality to be heard easily.

I am all for it, and have to applaud your accomplishment in getting the camera in there to stay. Anyone that tries to get it out, will be viewed as having something to hide, and will think twice about moving to do away with it.

The side benefit of having it in the caucus, is that it will discourage a lot of childish ranting and name calling, if they know that they will be on the website the next day.

I love it. Anyone wanting to bare their ignorant side of their ass on tape, will be soon called out by their constituents. I would have loved to be there to see the red go up Convertino's neck like a thermometer when the issue was passed by a vote. haha. she paced the floor like a whore in church the whole time the discussion was taking place. I love the bending over and whispering in Mike's ear, in the OPEN CAUCUS. Haha. Must have had something to say that she was not comfortable making public even to the caucus members.

Watching the video, made it perfectly clear to me, who in the caucus is open and unafraid, and who is afraid to be taped, and wants to keep the "politics as usual" hidden from the public.

You never cease to amaze me with your courage, your determination, and your dedication to the people you represent. I am proud to be your friend and supporter.

[rickolney]

Well said, Clip! You hit the proverbial nail on the head!.
Again, great accomplishment, Mr. Tanoury.

[tanouryjr]

Thanks guys! I have some other issues I plan to raise in the coming weeks, but until then, here is the latest video showing how things operate up there. They have been so used to doing what they want that they don't even know the rules upon which we are supposed to be governed. Then they call me a troublemaker for simply asking that the rules be followed...

www.larrytanoury.com/firoini2.htm