JETER METER ALERT

   Derek Jeter Has gotten hit # 2,999 in the first inning of the Saturday afternoon game against the Tampa Bay Rays. This means that Derek Jeter needs only one more hit to reach hit # 3,000. 

   Get the cake ready on 161st Street as Jeter will have three or four more chances to get hit # 3,000 in today's game at Yankee Stadium.

JETER METER UPDATE

  It looks like Friday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays has been called off due to severe thundershowers and lightning expected to end late tonight. The game will have to be rescheduled, but when it will is questionable. Jeter fans will have to wait for Saturday's game to see if he can get to hit # 3,000 as Jeter is currently at 2,998 hits.

 Weprin to Run for Weiner's Vacant Congressional Seat

   Queens Assemblyman David Weprin has accepted the Democratic nomination to run in the special election for the 9th Congressional District on September 13th. It could be an unlucky 13th day though for the winner of that special election as New York State is slated to loose two congressional seats next year due to population declines statewide, and this could be one of the two districts eliminated.

   

   Weprin had served in the City Council for eight years previously as the Chair of the Finance committee. His council seat was won by his brother Mark, and their father was former Assembly Speaker Saul Weprin. While David Weprin lives a few blocks outside the 9th Congressional District, all that is required is a residence in the state. Two things in Weprin's favor is that he does not "TWEET", and does not work our in a gym like the previous congressman.

   The Conservative Party has chosen Republican Bob Turner who ran against Weiner in 2010 to run in the special election, and Turner should be the choice of the Republican Party which is also looking at Juan Reyes who worked for former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Weprin would seem to have the edge in this largely Jewish congressional district in Brooklyn and Queens that Weiner has won in the past. Weprin has nothing to lose as he would retain his state assembly seat should he not win the congressional seat.    

JETER METER UPDATE

   Derek Jeter got one hit closer to 3,000 hits last night with a lead off double, for hit number 2,998. However that was the only hit that Jeter was able to get, as he went 1 - 5 ending the game against Tampa Bay with a ground out.

   There are still three games left on this final home stand before the All Star break, and hit number 3,000 could come tonight should Jeter be able to have another multi hit game. They are baking the cakes on 161st Street for the celebration either tonight or tomorrow when hit number 3,000 comes.

Unashamed To Be A Christian
by Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz

 

On June 24th I voted my conscience and opposed Governor Andrew Cuomo's key piece of social legislation in the New York State Senate that redefines our marriage laws away from the traditional definition of one man and one woman. I was the only Democrat in the Senate to vote against this legislation, and I wear my vote as a badge of honor.

I have been congratulated by religious leaders and constituents not only from my district, but from districts all over New York State. I have received messages of encouragement and gratitude from people throughout the United States. Alberto Martinez tweeted: "Jesus said: 'Whoever is ashamed of Him and His words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of such person at His coming.' Bravo Senator Diaz." All of these supporters know that I am unashamed to be a Christian. If we talk the talk, we must walk the walk.

Although Republican Senate Leader Dean Skelos ushered the gay marriage vote to the floor in order to make the 11:00PM news, and even though the vote passed, the hatred that has spewed in my direction before June 24th continues.

Yesterday I received a series of five emails in my Senate account from one person that read like homicidal rantings: "You eat shit. You are shit." "There is no worse person on Earth than you. God has told me so." "You worthless pile of human excrement!!!" "I hope you die! I hope you die soon! I'm waiting for you to die!" "Satan would sooner nail a stake through your heart than admit to knowing you. Your very own lover!!!"

To err on the side of caution and especially since one of the messages awaits my demise, those emails were properly reported to the FBI.

Those messages suggest that even though the gay marriage vote passed, that author did not get what he wanted which suggests to me that for some reason, I am the embodiment of his disappointment.  He may also be upset because I am unashamed of my vote.

Last Tuesday, a website posted an article titled: "Sen. Ruben Douchebag: I Made History." The tag labels that follow that online piece are as vulgar as possible. I quote them here not to amplify their vulgarity, but to let people know the ever-growing hatred freely expressed by those who claim to promote tolerance: "assholery, batshittery, bigotry, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, douchenozzles, evil, and f***weasels".

I am amazed that the author of that site continues to fixate on me as he does. I was told that he even tweeted about me just one hour after the supposed May 21 rapture: "An hour past #Rapture in New York City and this town is still infested with Sen. Ruben Diaz and his filthy ilk. #Disappointed."

For all intents and purposes I am a stranger to this person, yet for some reason I have his full attention. As a religious leader I thank the Lord that he continues to pay attention to my efforts to spread the Word of God. I hope and pray that since he seems to be a grown man, he will try to no longer promote vulgarity, indecency and hatred online or elsewhere.

After the June 24 vote, so many people who disguise themselves as victims and decry bullies hide behind their computer screens and demonstrate what is called "keyboard courage" by posting hateful and vicious comments about me.

In the great spirit of interfaith unity I will continue to work to promote what the late Pope John Paul II called the Culture of Life and continue to highlight the actions of the opposition which is still not pleased even with their declared victory in New York against traditional marriage.

For my part, I will continue to be unashamed to be a Christian.

Jeter Meter Update

   With reports that he would not play last night, Derek Jeter was in his familiar lead off position. Jeter went 1 for 3 also getting a walk and is now only three hits away from the magic number of 3,000 hits. 

   Tonight the Yankees take on division rival Tampa Bay for the first game of a four game homestand, and then there will be the All Star Break. The question now is not if he can get hit #3,000 before the All Star Break, but in which game of the four against Tampa Bay will Derek Jeter get hit #3,000. Those wanting tickets for any of the four Tampa Bay games have seen prices skyrocket, as Jeter draws nearer to hit #3,000. Many people want to be at Yankee Stadium to see it in person when Jeter gets hit #3,000. 

   Also don't forget the celebration on 161st Street when Derek Jeter does get hit #3,000.

JETER PARTY PLANNED

FREE CAKE FOR FANS

(Bronx, NY) – When Derek Jeter reaches 3,000 hits, fans and neighbors will be celebrating the milestone with FREE CAKE.
The Jeter Meter will flash out the magic number, and the 161st Street BID will join local businesses in giving out FREE CAKE to those who gather to congratulate the Yankee Captain.
“The Bronx is ready to celebrate,” said Dr. Cary Goodman, the BID’s executive director.
The 161st Street BID is sponsoring the Jeter Meter as a public service. and organizing the celebration among the businesses, the team, fans and residents.
Participating businesses include: Yankee Bar & Grill, Yankee Tavern, Billy’s and Stan’s. The first 100 fans at each location after the 3,000th hit will get a free piece of cake.
The cake is from Valencia Bakery, a Bronx institution since 1948. “I wish Derek would be able to come out and join in the party, “said Eddie Velazquez, the owner. “But, I’m willing to bake him a special cake and deliver it to the dugout if he can’t.”
The 161st Street BID is planning to make the Jeter Meter available for display at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, The Negro League Baseball Museum, The Yankee Museum and The Baseball Hall of Fame.
The 161st Street BID is one of 64 BIDs across New York City managed by the Department of Small Business Services, Commissioner Rob Walsh.