What You Should Know

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Tel. 718-991-3161

Et Tu, Ruth?

There is a common assumption that politics is dirty, and that politicians cannot be trusted because they are liars, conniving hypocrites, back stabbers, and selfish people, always looking out for themselves, and always double-crossing those who trusted them and those who gave them opportunities and placed them in high positions.

You should know that history teaches us about many cases where people have been double-crossed through treasonous acts committed by those who they have placed their trust in.

It all started right after Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden when Cain invited his brother Abel to take a walk with him in a field, and when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother and slew him. (Genesis 4:7)

You should also know that there are many other cases such as the case of Ab’salom, the son of King David who committed treason against his father. (2 Samuel Chapter 15)

Another case involved Jo’ab, King David’s General who deceived General Ab’ner and killed him in the city of He’bron. (2 Samuel 3:27)

The most notorious cases in history of double-crossing and betrayal are the cases of Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15), and the assassination of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar by members of the Senate, in the Senate Chamber, coordinated and planned by Brutus, the person Julius Caesar trusted like a son, and in whom he had put all his confidence.

Julius Caesar went into that meeting alone thinking that because his friend Brutus would be present, nothing would happen to him. The only words that the Emperor was able to speak were, “Et tu, Brute?” meaning “You too, Brutus?”

Recently I wrote an article titled “There Is A Rat Among Us” in relation to rumors that there was someone in our Democratic Conference who was plotting to take Sampson out of his position as head of the Senate Minority Conference. In that article, I explained that I went around asking people who they thought the rat would be.

Among the names mentioned, no one ever suggested Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson. But now I must wonder, especially after reading Ken Lovett's very interesting article in the Monday, May 28, 2012 edition of the New York Daily News that quotes Senator Hassell-Thompson expressing interest in replacing Senator Sampson.

“I’d be lying if I said that everybody doesn’t think about it at one time or another,” she said ... She added that she was “not prepared to say” whether Sampson should remain leader this year, or next year, when a new Legislature is seated following this fall’s elections.

You should know that Senator Sampson has put practically all of his trust in Senator Hassell-Thompson. He has given her more respect, authority and power than was ever given to Senator Martin Malavé-Dilan when he served as the Conference Secretary. Senator Sampson has allowed Senator Hassell-Thompson to be the one who runs the show when we are all in Conference.

I never would have imagined that Hassell-Thompson would have ulterior motives and that she would be among those who would want to cut Sampson’s throat.

And that is why; I title this piece, Et tu, Ruth?

Wow! This one really took me by surprise.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.