Donny Moss Takes Aim at Christine Quinn in Short Film

By Graham Rayman Mon., Jun. 8 2009 at 1:45 PM

Categories: Featured, Graham Rayman, Politics

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Whoa! Documentary film maker and animal rights advocate Donny Moss really lets City Council Speaker Christine Quinn have it in a short video he has posted on YouTube.

In the 10 minute piece, Moss, 37, the maker of a film called "Blinders," which documents the failed effort to ban horse-drawn carriages from the city, accuses Quinn of overweening political ambition and turning her back on the city's gay and lesbian community.

"Until this, I respected her and admired her," says Moss, a resident of Quinn's district who once had his photo taken with her. "Once you dig deeper, you realize that she is betraying us and selling us down the river when it's politically expedient."

Among Moss' claims....

*He says City Council members and other pols told him they would decline to support the carriage ban because they were afraid of angering Quinn. He claims she didn't want to annoy her political rabbis with the Queens Democratic Party, who were close to the carriage industry.

*Two clips of Quinn show that she lied about whether she used money from the council slush fund to dole out district plums to council members. Quinn, as we recall, initially claimed she used the money to cover mid-year budget gaps.

*Quinn failed to act aggressively or speak out during and following the questionable arrests of 50 middle-aged gay men, some of them European tourists, who were busted in an NYPD campaign to shut down adult bookstores. Facing a threat from protesters to picket the Bloomberg mansion, she eventually called a meeting of the PD, mayor's office and community activists but failed to show up for it. Months later, some of those arrested are still trying to get their names cleared.

*Quinn struck a "back room" deal with the NYPD that would limit Freedom of Assembly. The rule required that any gathering of 50 or more people had to go through the city's onerous permit approval process.

*Quinn's flip-flop on term limits, which allowed Mayor Bloomberg another term, was fueled not by concern over the economy, as she claimed in October, 2008, but her ultimate goal of being elected mayor. Moss also suggests that her flip-flop resulted in the slush fund investigation being placed on the back burner. Bloomberg insisted there was "no back room" deal, but Moss points out that the Department of Investigation has been silent on the slush fund investigation for a year.

*Quinn's term limits flip-flop effectively blocked the chances of up and coming gay and lesbian candidates from winning a council race.

"I wanted to make the documentary so that people should see the truth behind the smile," Moss says. "There is a difference between politics and these types of betrayals and deceits, and Christine Quinn has crossed that line."

Calls and emails to Quinn's press office were not returned.

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I saw something similar to this on a different blog and didn't see the point, but this post helped me understand it better. Appreciate it!
That's truly amazing. I thought maybe it was religious in nature. It always amazes me how much time and effort you pour your time and effort into this wonderful post.
Seriously guys, Quinn's the best lolzzz
Kudos to Donny Moss for this video about Christine Quinn's true colors. She is a self-serving hypocrite with no respect for democracy. It's time to boot her out along with Mayor Bloomberg for their arrogant disdain of New York City's voters and their attempts to hush up or put a sympathetic face on the erosion of our civil liberties.
Quinn received a big fat F on the NYC Council Humane Scorecard. http://www.nylhv.org/scorecards/09scorecard.pdf She has repeatedly voted against any measure to protect animals....why is that?...animals can't vote and the abusers can. Shame on you Christine!
BTW, I also ngelected to mention that while Dr Lowell & Dr Baldwin are EQUINE veterinarians, Dr Hynes is a SMALL ANIMAL vet. Maybe he should stick to neutering cats, and leave the horse work to the big boys.
The previous post is mine, I neglected to fill in name & email.
What Dr. Hynes neglects to inform the readers is that he comes agenda-in-hand to the carriage issue. Dr. Hynes is a member of HSVMA (formerly AVAR), a fringe group of "animal rights" veterinarians that constitute less than 2% of the vets in this country; the other 98% belong to the AVMA exclusively. Like most members of this marginalized and widely discounted group, he's a bandwagon jumper on any animal issue, regardless of its merits or lack thereof. I wonder if Dr Hynes would like to tell Dr. Lowell, former head of the Cornell Veterinary School, and Dr Jay Baldwin, currently the vet employed by the NYCDOH, exactly what these "horrendous conditions" are. Dr Lowell testified on behalf of the industry after examining EACH of our 200+ horses, including Gait/Attitude/Impulsion and CRI, and the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System. Can you say the same, Doc? Dr Baldwin knows every horse in the city, and checks them regularly for the DOH Bureau of Animal Affairs. Perhaps Dr Hynes could also enlighten us as to how he gained entrance to any of our stables, as they are private property. At whose behest, and with what authorization did you enter our stables, Dr Hynes? Let's hear this list of "horrendous conditions", Dr Hynes. I'm waiting.
Donny Moss hit home with his expose of Council Speaker Christine Quinn. As a practicing veterinarian who has accompanied equine veterinarians to two of the NYC Carriage horse stables, I can attest to the horrendous conditions that these horses are forced to endure. As a member of the League of Humane Voters, I am well aware of Quinn's continued refusal to support virtually ANY humane legislation that has been brought before the City Council. As a member of the gay community, I am all too familiar with her hypocrisy, and failure to stand behind the community that she says she speaks on behalf of. Christine Quinn is one of the most disliked members of the City Council, yet the power she holds over many of them allows her to get her way. She is a disgrace to her office, and to the gay community.
Donny Moss hit home with his expose of Council Speaker Christine Quinn. As a practicing veterinarian who has accompanied equine veterinarians to two of the NYC Carriage horse stables, I can attest to the horrendous conditions that these horses are forced to endure. As a member of the League of Humane Voters, I am well aware of Quinn's continued refusal to support virtually ANY humane legislation that has been brought before the City Council. As a member of the gay community, I am all too familiar with her hypocrisy, and failure to stand behind the community that she says she speaks on behalf of. Christine Quinn is one of the most disliked members of the City Council, yet the power she holds over many of them allows her to get her way. She is a disgrace to her office, and to the gay community.
Donny - you are smart, courageous and ethical! We need politicians with the same ethics in action so we create a world where humans and animals are respected. Shame on Quinn for abusing her power to help herself and her greedy pals when she was voted in to do what is ethical, not self-serving! Horse-drawn carriages in 21st century NYC streets? Insane! These are living, breathing, feeling creatures not pieces of steel. Thanks Donny!
It appears that only people profiting from the carriage horse "industry" or from relationships with those profiting from the carriage horse "industry" continue to deny that it is abusive. Quinn has not been an advocate for the vulnerable! She has picked her team and played for it! Donny has done a great job making the film. Thanks Donny!
Thank you, Donny, for making your documentaries and fighting the good fight! Pay no attention to those who try to slander you on these comment boards, those who wish to impede progress and justice. We can only hope that one day they will choose to come over and stand on the right side of history. Let's vote Christine Quinn out!
This is the era of change. Thank you Donny Moss for helping foster movement in the right direction. As Gandhi famously said, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
Sam, very true. This is about the very corrupt politicians in New York. Let's vote them out, then we and the horses can live in peace. :)
Good point Jackie. This film is about Quinn and her betrayal of the gay community (and the people at large). She needs to answer the questions that Donny posed.
While the issue of the horse-drawn carriage trade is certainly a worthy one, I think the conversation is meandering from the issue at hand. Christine Quinn is corrupt and crooked, and I applaud Donny for taking the time to do the dirty work and exposing her. Perhaps we should refocus and scrutinize the character of those who are charged with leading the city, not those who uncover the truth about them.
The horse and buggy trade is homophobic. They hate gays ... don't think otherwise. There is a video on Youtube where a carriage drivers yells obsenities at a young Gay man who passed him on Central Park South. He left his horse unattended (no big surprise there) ran after him screaming "faggot, faggot." These drivers also yell at the women protesting them, telling them to stay home and have children, calling them puta and other choice comments. One would think that bloomberg would not associate himself with these kinds of people. So please let's not hear how anyone is anti Irish because that is not the case. It often happens with these kinds of businesses, that the owners and drivers are anti-gay, anti-women and anti-progressive. they are back in teh 19th century. They support right-wing, fascist and regressive politicians.
I know that not everyone knows a lot about horses, but I also wanted to mention a few other things: Horses are social animals. Their inherent needs are that they socialize, groom and play with others of their kind. This is something carriage horses are never allowed to do. They are slaves to the carriage industry. They also need turnout, need to be able to graze and roll. Again, not possible for the carriage horses. They also need to lie down to sleep! Another thing, that seems to be impossible in their small stalls. Horses cannot rest properly standing up. Think about the fact that these horses are pulling carriages all day, without proper sleep. Look at the water trough on any given day, it's empty! They need to drink. They are horses, not camels. Just to clarify, I am not positive that michaelflynn is a carriage driver, someone else had mentioned it and so I assumed that was the case, from his rants.
Michaeleen Flynn is someone who trolls the internet and bites at the heels of those who criticize the carriage industry. And those who are accomplished. He does not have the cajones to give his real name but he is happy trying to hurt those with morals, ethics and principles. What kind of a person would do that... hiding behind a mask -- someone with no ethics, that's who. PAY HIM NO MIND. He is a troll. It does not matter to me whether Donny is a vegan or not - but I happen to know that he is and he has converted many friends with his upbeat enthusiasm, including me. Let's deal with the NOW - Bloomberg and Quinn and dumping them. Donny is responsible for an award winning documentary about the carriage industry that try as they might, the low life carriage industry cannot bring it down. Now, he is the director behind another excellent piece on Christine Quinn. As for planning to do a pro piece...Never happened. He started out trying to be fair to both sides, but in no time, the points began to rack up against the industry. And as for michaeleen being an "Irish" thug driver. Well he certainly is a thug. Who knows if he is Irish and who cares. I personally think he is an alien from one of those odd nasty planets. I think he is a Trollian thug carriage driver. Gee, i hope you will not call me an alienist. The anti-carriage campaign is filled with Irish activists...both native and first and second generation. We are also supported by two big animal rights organizations in Limerick and Dublin. Go Ireland!! and Go Donny. LET'S DUMP BLOOMBERG AND QUINN. Let's concentrate on this and pay the trolling carriage driver no mind. A new poll shows that 55% OF RESPONDENTS WANT NEW LEADERSHIP IN CITY HALL!!! THAT IS GREAT NEWS - DOWN WITH CORRUPTION!!!
Thank you Donny, a great video....when people start to see the corruption State by State, the better off we will be. When it comes to corruption, our animals suffer. The hands out for self gain must go.
Thank you, Marjorie C. for clarifying Michaleenflynn's rants. Now that I know M.flynn is a NYC carriage driver, it makes sense why he's lashing out at Donny, the one person who most threatens his livelihood by exposing the unsavory character of all who defend this abusive industry. I feel SO sorry for M.flynn's horse(s), based on your description of his miserable "master," Marjorie C. But then again, I feel even sorrier for M.flynn and C. Quinn, because, as individuals, they have such a long way to travel ethically and emotionally before either of them arrives at the place where they can really be thought of as "human(e)": having compassion for all beings, treating all beings with respect, expressing honesty, fairness, and kindness to all beings.
Oh, michaleenflynn, I see you are one of the carriage drivers who abuse their horses. Yes, I know all about you. You have throat latches that are too tight, you use the whip on the horse, instead of zinging it near his ear, you leave a blanket on the horse in the cold weather and have it folded up near his withers so you don't have to fold it again. Or, you don't even have water for your horses or shade, in the searing heat. Let's see what else, yes yes, there was the time I pointed out a horse to the ASPCA inspector. He was brought in by the ASPCA, diagnosed by a vet with a fractured hip, only to be out the next day. And, of course, the many calls to 311 (what a joke) of horses limping or with loose shoes. You drivers can't even hear the shoes jingling. Or how about all the cracks in the horse's hooves from walking on pavement. Let's see what else, oh yes, the horses out in very high humidity when it's 90 degrees out, which could very well be a death sentence for a horse. But, you all don't care, do you? As long as you make your $$$$$. You should have to pull that carriage for one day in the high heat or freezing cold, with no shade or blanket. See how you like it. You are all idiots and certainly cannot call yourselves good horsemen. You know nothing about horses and that is so very obvious to those who do know horses. What's really said is that Bloomberg's daughter is on the US Equestrian Team and she does know better. You would think that there would be some compassion and perhaps education, but evidently not. Yes, Mr. michaleenflynn, I know who you are. The guy who thinks he knows horses, but doesn't have one small clue.
to: michaleenflynn You are a bold faced liar! I personally know Donny and he is a VEGAN! If you lie about one little thing, what else are YOU lying about? Donny is not a liar and he's very concerned about all animal issues. Who are you? Do you care about animal issues? I'll assume you too are in bed with Quinn and Bloomberg - liars and cheats.
Nancy sez; "Ooh, Michaleenflynn is forwarding remarks to the "people who count." Real scaaarrrrryyyy." Sorry if I frightened you, Nance. The statement was intended to assure Julie that her bigoted comment has been added to a long list for policy-makers' eyes, whichare not a good reflection on Jules and her crusaders :-/ I'm just trying to help her! LOL And your hyper-defensive posture on your usage of the word 'thug' seems odd, as "Irish" or some other ethnic identification did not precede it, as was done in Julie's comment. Hmm. Me thinks the lady doth protest too much? ROFL
Ooh, Michaleenflynn is forwarding remarks to the "people who count." Real scaaarrrrryyyy. New Yorkers are a sheltered bunch of sissies, despite the caricatures. It's time they put down their California rolls for 5 seconds and learn the truth about Quinn and Bloomberg. Apathy is not a good thing. To the filmmaker: Thank you for this factual and disturbing look at Quinn. Talk about a thug. [NO! This is NOT an ethnic slur. It is a factual statement about this career politician's arm-twisting, conniving, backroom, sell-your-soul to the devil dealmaking.] This is 2009. Can New York City please demonstrate some leadership in government, instead of being a laughing stock for the entire nation? And speaking of a laughingstock, how about Weprin looking all glum and concerned? My eyes rolled back in my head in sheer delight! These two don't have an ethical bone in their bodies. Quinn and Bloomberg to New York City: DROP DEAD!
BTW, Julie - don't bother trying to contact the blogger to beg him to take down your very ill-advised, bigoted comment about the Irish. It has been cached & screenshot, and has already been fwded to the people who count :-D
Julie sez: Michaeleen Flynn... Irish thug carriage driver...Pay him no mind, readers. Unlike Ms. Van Ness, I encourage all readers to pay very CLOSE attention to EVERYTHING the humaniacs have to say. Because we have the truth on our side. We have nothing to hide and everything to gain by countering their easily debunked allegations. So if you are interested in this issue, pay VERY close attention to what they say - the hysteria, the skewed logic, the self-righteous tunnelvision, the lack of facts unsullied by spin. So while Julie might desperately want you to ignore me, I would very much like for you to pay close attention to Julie ;-)
Julie sez: "michaeleenflynn is not the Michaeleen Flynn who is the kind, intelligent, unforgettable character in the 1952 film, The Quiet Man, he may fancy himself to be." Um, you really shouldn't take usernames so seriously LOL (and guessing at people's genders & ethnicities is equally as dicey ;-) You call me "the usual, foul-mouthed Irish thug carriage driver", linking Irish heritage to bad character, as so many of you have done before. Don't think your well-documented bigotry (ranging all the way back to Peggy Parker in the 80s) has gone unnoticed by the powers-that-be: it hasn't. BTW, would you also be equally as eager to call one of our latino drivers a "Mexican thug", or one of our Jamaican drivers a "black thug" etc etc? Or do you reserve your disgusting and very telling prejudice for the Irish alone, since it seems a safe thing to do? Like I always said - give 'em enough rope...
Donny you're the man, and Christine is certainly NOT the woman. Shame on her, her policies and her failed commitment to New York's residents and animals. Yetta betta show Quinn the curb!!
michaeleenflynn is not the Michaeleen Flynn who is the kind, intelligent, unforgettable character in the 1952 film, The Quiet Man, he may fancy himself to be. Alas, just the usual foul-mouthed, Irish thug carriage horse driver uncontrollably running amok and scared. He's afraid he will have to get a real job when Donny Moss gets the carriage horses out of Central Park. Pay him no mind, readers. And, don't forget to vote out Christine Quinn. The two of them, it looks like they're giving the Irish a bad name today!
By the way, why aren't the print or news media asking Quinn these tough questions? Why have they let her and Bloomberg off the hook?
The "track record" of the horse and buggy trade is clear--accidents galore, with numerous people injured and horses killed. What about the young boy who was just killed today in Pennyslvania after he fell out of a horse buggy? If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere (especially in an urban environment like NYC). Donny Moss is taking a stand against corruption. If we want our democracy back, we need to vote out Quinn and Bloomberg!
Samm sez: "One correction: it is NOT a failed attempt to ban the carriage industry. We are just beginning and we are all in it for the long haul." Well, Samms, all I can say is - I hope you brought your lunch LOL Since the early 80s, the carriage industry has seen all the uninformed humaniacs and their hysteria come and go...politicians & celebs including: Robert Dryfoos Carolyn Maloney Katherine Freed David Dinkins Peggy Parker (CHAC) Mary Tyler Moore Kim Basinger Alec Baldwipe (Alec, you may remember, famously called a carriage driver a "faggot" at City Hall in 1993, and had to make a public apology to the gay community at the request of then-CM Tom Duane ROFL) There were so many more, their insignificant names escape me...the thrust being that, in true David & Goliath fashion, we chewed them up and spit them out, they're all gone, we're still here. 3 decades of this nonsense - and you think you and your new coterie of misfits - led by a fool like D. Moss, no less - are gonna make a dent? :::yawn::: Take it from me - save yourself the time & energy. (Or don't. We always need a little comic relief ;-) You see, we are in it to win it also, and our track record proves us out.
Go Donny!!! another excellent and hard hitting video!!! Quinn needs to be voted out in the primary election in September by the voters in her district. She has overplayed her hand. I hope everyone realizes that if she wins the election and somehow manages to hold on to the position of speaker, she will most likely run for mayor in 4 years with Bloomberg's financial aid. We must prevent this from happening! I realize Donny is directing this video to the Gay community - but Quinn has many detractors in many areas of the city -- in every borough - and of every stripe. Donny's documentary about the carriage industry called Blinders: the truth behind the tradition has won many awards, including the coveted Genesis award. Go to www.blindersthemovie.com. To Graham Rayman, author of this article ... One correction: it is NOT a failed attempt to ban the carriage industry. We are just beginning and we are all in it for the long haul. The industry is inhumane and unsafe -- besides being politically connected. It does not belong in NYC. Period. We are in it to win it.
Julie: You and your other cause-heads can pound the drum about carriage horses till the cows come home lol. The FACTS are indisputable; every second of D. Moss' ersatz 'documentary' on us can be deconstructed to show it up for the horseshit that it really is - and this has been demonstrated to Council members. Hysterical humaniacs who lump our content, well-kept, and highly visible horses in with every other animal issue under the sun only do themselves - and more importantly, the animals - a disservice. Grow up.
Christine Quinn's betrayal of the animals of New York City is well known by people in every borough, and especially by the people in her own district, who care about them. She is, by her neglect of the issues regarding animals, the same as the evil people who abuse them at every turn. I hope the voters in the 3rd District will help our New York City carriage horses, dogs and cats, apartment tenants with pets, circus elephants and other animals in New York that are in desperate need of our protection, by voting for Yetta Kurland to win the election. And, in so doing, vote Christine Quinn out.
At the beginning of this video, D. Moss asserts that London, Paris, & Beijing are among the cities which have outlawed horse-drawn carriages. A simple Google search will show that there are indeed horse-drawn carriages operating on the streets of EACH of these cities - as a matter of fact, the AP reported in May that Paris has added more at the Eiffel Tower since it has become so popular. If Donny Moss will lie about this - a simple, easy-to-check fact - what else would he lie about? Did anyone know that Donny started out by making a PRO-carriage film? Things were looking bleak for Donny in stand-up, he started looking into film....rebuffed by carriage drivers and owners who had no interest in doing a puff piece doc by an amateur, in a snit he decided to do an ANTI-carriage piece (you shouldn't talk so loudly in bars, Donny!) Donny soon found out that he could haunt the cocktail circuit and hobknob with C-list celebs, be feted at fundraisers at vegan restaurants (even though DM is not only not a vegan, but works for a pharmaceutical company that tests on animals) by the LoHV & others, and decided he could ride this niche gravy train until....he made another film to keep the whole thing going! No flies on Donny!
Thank you thank you thank you for telling the truth about Quinn's corruption and lack of concern for her constituents. She's playing identity politics by taking the queer community for granted and it's unacceptable. We must speak truth to power and let her know how we feel in the ballot box!
Challenging the Queens democractic machine is no easy feat. I applaud Donny Moss for his courage and conviction. Christine Quinn and Michael Bloomberg have made a mockery of our democracy, and it's time that people speak up!
Moss is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT on all counts! Quinn is "in bed" with the carriage horse industry....and has shown NO compassion for animals issues in the city council. We need her replaced w/someone who is compassionate and caring for all species! AND we should DUMP MIKE, too! NO ONE wants him as dictator for a 3rd term!
When I was president of United Action for Animals (2003-2007), Christine Quinn was chair of the Health Committee of the City Council. She consistently stonewalled any attempts to improve conditions at our city animal shelters and thwarted any rulemaking to help shelter animals as well as consistenly opposing any animal protection legislation, including those affecting shelter dogs and cats, carriage horses, ducks raised for foie gras, and wildlife. She is the consummate product of her grossly dishonest predecessor, Gifford Miller. The thought of her running for mayor is a joke. She should resign or be defeated in the next election.
Moss is absolutely RIGHT. Quinn is "in bed" with the carriage horse drivers, has no compassion for animals and seems not to have any for gays, which sure seems strange! It's time we have someone heading the city council with integrity, honestly and goodness.
Thank you Donny. As a gay man and an animal-lover, I simply can not support Christine Quinn. She is a corrupt politician, and NOT a friend to the LGBTQ community or NYC's many animals. Shame on you Christine!
Christine Quinn and her cohort Dictator Bloomberg need to be voted OUT! If you all remember Mayor Bloomberg told Mayor Giuliani, thanks but no thanks, when Giuliani offered to stay in office after 9/11. Bloomberg cited "term limits". LOL! What a phoney baloney Bloomberg is. No one is indispensible Mayor Mike, especially not you and your "team" of liars. And, Chrstine Quinn wants to be Mayor? Not in this City. We aren't that dumb, at least I hope not. Thank you, Donny Moss, for showing the truth and speaking out!
The video is excellent and every New York City resident should view it and understand it. In short, Quinn would sell her grandmother for whiskey--and probably has done so. She sold us ALL out.