Robert Caro: “There is an expression used in Albany to describe the relationship of two men between whom there exists bad feeling when that feeling has existed for years, has resisted every attempt at reconciliation and has only deepened with the passage of time, to a point where ‘dislike’ is not so fitting a name for it as ‘hatred.’ In discussing such men, one assemblyman will say to another, with a knowing shake of his head: ‘They go back a long way’”
The Garson Family (usually known in these quarters as “The Garson Crime Family”) and I go back a long way.
In 1994, I had my City job terminated by the Giuliani administration after a political operative named Alan Rocoff (currently under indictment) at the behest of his close friend, then Judge Michael Jules Garson (currently disbarred after copping a plea), asked his close friend Dov Hikind (acquitted), to get me fired, which Hikind agreed to do. I know this because Rocoff bragged about it to every politico within a ten mile radius of 16 Court Street.
In 2007, I undertook a multipart series of pieces called “The Joe Bruno Democrats,” which described in detail the efforts of various low life Brooklyn Democrats who conspired to dump a sitting Democratic State Senator and elect Republican Marty Golden instead. Shortly after publishing an article in that series about one of the conspirators, Carl Kruger, I got an email from a friend concerning my blog; the substance of the email was that Kruger knew who I was, and was threatening to get me fired.
Following that message, I took an unannounced hiatus in November, 2007, and did not publish again until February 2008. I didn’t really start blogging in earnest until May of that year, after Room 8 was chosen as the DNC’s NYS designated blog.
Thus, I never got to do my piece on another part of the conspiracy, the Garson Family, though several of my Garson stories do appear here.
As I then noted, “At one point in the campaign, Senate Democratic staffers working for Gentile were distributing some negative lit in the Shanty Irish fortress of Gerritsen Beach, when they were surrounded by a cordon of off-duty cops under the direction of Kruger staffer Joel Garson and escorted out of the neighborhood.”
Joel, also known as “Fredo,” (and his middle name was really Fred) was the Oliver North-loving brother of the Family’s real Godfather, Judge Michael Jules, who, as always, enjoyed barking his orders from behind the throne in his Judge’s Chambers, from where he directed the political club ((I was once compelled to give testimony concerning Michael’s political activities to the Commission on Judicial Conduct) ostensibly run by his wife, Democratic Female District Leader Laurie Kinsler Garson.
Earlier this year, I described the efforts of my 1984 girlfriend to convince me to part with Mike Garson; in preparing this piece, I found, to my great delight, that Laurie had made a cameo appearance:
“Phyllis responded that it was time to take a different job, because as long as that SOB thought I owed him, he thought he owned me; he’d expect indentured servitude, including yard work and polishing his wife‘s outsized diamond ring, which she could shove up her tight JAPpy ass.”
Laurie’s club helped elect Golden and has backed him ever since. Joel Garson’s wife, Doreen, is on Golden’s payroll.
In 2010, when Golden, who had already voted once against same sex marriage, finally got his first contested election since 2002, Lori Garson was strongly in Golden’s corner.
Which brings us to yesterday, when on her Facebook Page, Lori Citron Knipel, perhaps the most liberal of Brooklyn’s white regular, Democratic District Leaders, expressed her happiness about the passage of Same Sex Marriage.
Lori Citron Knipel: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead
Marc Levine, Marvin Wasserman, Marsha Gordon and 12 others like this.
Being a stickler for accuracy I felt compelled to point out there were many people involved in the effort:
GATE: but it wasn't a small group
And then I was greeted by the shock of my life:
Laurie Kinsler Garson: Small or big…What does it matter? What a great day for New York! So thrilled and excited for friends who have waited for this day!
From such an unlikely source, I could not let such impertinence go unanswered:
GATE: Yes, your support for Marty Golden helped put it over the top.
And then we had at it:
Laurie Kinsler Garson: You are not privy to reasons for what I do and what I don't do…Please do not ruin a great day with nastiness…Knock it off.
GATE: True enough, I am not privy, but actions have consequences, and to pretend to bask in the glory of the hard work of others when you worked so hard to elect the most homophobic member of the NYS outside Ruby Diaz is just too much hypocrisy for one morning. And watching you do so casts a dark pall on this otherwise glorious day.
Laurie Kinsler Garson: funny…that is always how I have thought about you. I do agree, however, that Golden is ignorantly homophophobic…a definite regret.
GATE: I have a great regret. I did once work for a candidate who told me he supported gay rights, and then I watched him interview with the Jewish Press and say the exact opposite. I should have quit that day and I did not. It is the greatest shame of my political life.
Would you like to know the name of that candidate who ran for Council in 1991 against Anthony Weiner?
Anyway, you had one and one opportunity only to actually do something to make same sex marriage happen and you chose to elect a guy who introduced hate legislation so shocking that even conservative Republicans blanched.
Some of us understand there is a connection between politics and policy. Others pretend to support the policies, but do everything in their politics to achieve the opposite result, and then have the nerve to say "I was with you all along"
What supernal hypocritical crap.
Laurie Kinsler Garson: Yep…in complete agreement about Golden. But you really need to calm down and groooowww up. All of your ridiculous commentary is old baggage that we know to be based on so much more. Let's not rehash anything from that past here. Let's keep things happy…unfortunately, we will never regard one another highly…even though, ostensibly, and hopefully, over 20 years, we have both matured.
And that on such a glorious day, that you would focus on hatred and negativity, speaks volumes.
GATE: did you publicly call for passage using the prestige of your position? Did you write a letter to Golden?
What, pay tell, gives you the right on this day to do anything but hold your head in shame?
Laurie Kinsler Garson: Again, ..I do agree with your sentiments about Golden. It is your anger and hatred that really needs to be dealt with. Relax, before your commentary crosses the line.
GATE: So, is this a promise never to support Golden again?
Laurie Kinsler Garson: I could not ever support Golden again. What he has done, for me, is unacceptable. Again…regrets because of this.
I have friends…several…who have been in committed relationships for years…they are not less equal than anyone else in the US…or anywhere. They should be able to marry, and live the lives they want to live. Thus…my joy for them, and for everyone else for whom this vote was so important.
GATE: Well, then to quote Philip Roth:" Now Vee May Perhaps to Begin."
GATE: but you will be held to that. I've copied the entire thread
Laurie Kinsler Garson Ha! Me, too!
GATE: not worried–my County Leader already has better reason to hate me.
Laurie Kinsler Garson: As you should not be…You are entitled to your opinion and to voice it as you wish. I will be among the first to defend that right. It is okay to express your feelings to me. Not a problem at all. Really. Old enmity should really not die so hard. Life is too short.
GATE: this is getting uncomfortably civil
After which, Ms. Knipel made an obscene suggestion.
Lori Citron Knipel: Now please kiss and make up :)
And then a stranger joined in:
Natalie Smith: Yikes- you New Yorkers are a really tough crowd!!!!! Who did run against the Weiner in 1991????
To answer Ms. Smith, Weiner had five opponents. Finishing third to sixth, in order, were Adele Cohen, Yehuda Y. Levin, Gerald Bisogno and Joel Mordechai Michaels.
To my great pride I had worked against the victor.
To my great regret, I had worked against the third place candidate.
To my complete and utter shame, I had worked for the slime bag who finished second.
Michael Jules Garson.