West Flushing Civic Association

Adrian Joyce: Reactionary Republican In Democrat's Garb

Excert from The Queens Tribune: Not4Publication

By Michael Schenkler

He Was So Far Right, He’s Wrong

Last week, as I flew from New York to Florida, I shared with you the exclusive story that the Northeast Queens Democratic leadership had decided to support longtime Flushing Community Board 7 Chairman Adrian Joyce for the newly drawn Assembly seat representing downtown Flushing.

We explained that labor leader Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin and newly elected Councilman John Liu, the fair-haired lad of the Asian community, had lined up support for Joyce to waltz into the new seat. That was the accurate scoop when I took off last Thursday.

Things unraveled for Joyce quickly.

It seems while we were just settling in for our week in Florida, things were unsettling for the northeast Queens Democratic coalition. They sat down with their candidate-to-be and discovered beneath Joyce sweet and smart demeanor there was a man with a small cold heart.

Now, no one who was in the room is talking openly, but word has leaked out and has

been confirmed by party insiders who describe several of Joyce’s positions as “Neanderthal.”

The first blow came when the progressive leadership of the area heard that Joyce was pro-life — he would vote to deny women the right to choose.

Then, he was found to be an avid, pro-gun, NRA supporter.

Next, they touched on the topic of AIDS and it seems that Joyce felt that the dreaded disease struck many who deserved it because of their behaviors.

Joyce was unacceptable to the Democratic leadership and although no announcement has been made, you can go to the bank with this one: Adrian Joyce will not be the candidate of the progressive Democratic coalition of the area. McLaughlin, Liu and the other elected and party officials will not associate with the hate from the right.

Joyce has obviously received some tutoring in presenting his position since that meeting, and is trying to keep his candidacy alive by responding to AIDS questions with a discussion of the innocent babies who must be cared for. As far as those individuals who have contracted AIDS through unwise behaviors, it seems Joyce has no more compassion towards them then we do towards Joyce.

The positive aspect of this sad tale is that issues do matter and convenient political marriages occasionally require a meeting of the minds on the basic issues concerning people, their needs and worth.

Now, McLaughlin, Liu and company will begin the search anew to find a candidate who can represent the needs of the people of the area while continuing to build their power base.

Others will scurry to fill the newly created vacuum.

As far as Joyce, he may still run, after all, in his area, quality hasn’t always been important at the ballot box.

And, wasn’t that seat drawn for an Asian anyway?

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