New York State.  New York City.  Both are landmasses and political and economic entities.  But some people (even the signs on the New York State Thruway) mistake the places.  For instance, mile marker signs state: "New York 100 Miles" or some other number.  However, the Thruway runs through New York State.  The driver is in New York no matter where he or she is on the Thruway.  Now, having a sign showing distances to New York City is different.  Would it cost a great deal of money to fix those signs to be geographically accurate? 

Additionally, I had a woman come up to me when I was visiting friends of mine on Long Island and, upon learning my profession, she asked me where to find books with the New York City Teacher Examination Test, as she couldn't find a copy anywhere.  I told her to look for the New York State Teacher Exam book, as all teacher licenses (in fact, all professional licenses in the United States) are authorized by agencies within the State Capitol (in this case, Albany).  This woman shook her head and told me I was wrong because her son was going to work as a teacher in New York City, and therefore he needed a New York City examination book.  That was three years ago.  I hope he found work there; probably, as no certified educator would accept work in the prison-system that is the New York City public school network. 

OK, so there is quite a bit of confusion regarding the New York City/New York State conundrum.  Members of the media need to discuss which entity they are referring to when mentioning taxes, real estate, government, or some other concept. 

It is a debate as old as the Royal Charter granted for this land.

In related news, the New York State Senate (in Albany) has been put in Republican hands thanks to a coup from two side-switching Democrats and the typically thuggish Republicans.  The reason?  Republicans have decided that the state of the State is in terrible shape (thanks for finally noticing, morons) so a few GOP goons decided to make a motion to remove the current Speaker.  On the positive side, now I can officially say that New York State is run by tyrants, even if it is the less-damning tyrannus in titulo.  But still.

This has emboldened me to declare my own statement of disloyalty.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I am a Registered Republican, and as such, I am now declaring myself as leader of the New York State Senate.  If I am unable to finish my term, I nominate as my successor a resident from my neighborhood who owns a dachshund.  It may seem stupid, but it is at least a step to look forward, no matter how inane or pointless. 

New York's Senate, the first in the nation to favor a pro-Dachshund agenda.

As far as I'm concerned, my statement of leadership is just as valid as the do-nothings in Albany.  Oh, well, perhaps I should wait before I damn them.  Maybe the state budget will be on time.  For the first time in 21 years.  Seriously, I'm in favor of  "Take your Child to Work Day" but just not for a four-year-term. 

If the Republicans are upset because the (just barely) Democrat majority in the Senate wanted to pass legislation to improve New York State's roads (of which 46% of the roads and bridges are structurally deficient).  Representatives even leaked information to the conservative media outlets - oops, I mean conservative market platforms- criticizing government intrusion in every aspect, especially the bedroom.  I suppose the GOP forgot that a Republican government in the 1920s passed the Mann Act and the White Slavery Act.  Well, the GOP has always had their interest in sex. 

I wish I had something useful or witty to say to wrap up this entry, but I'll leave with this: where else but at yellingatthemoon.com can you find references to Latin terms of succession, dachshunds, and the Mann Act?