Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bloomberg's War: The Haves vs The Have-nots

From the Daily News:

Years from now, people will look back in awe at the Alice's Wonderland that New York is becoming before our very eyes.

To build a billion-dollar major league ballpark, they took away Bronx parkland from kids.

Randalls Island is not for people in upper Manhattan and the South Bronx, but for elite private schools to use, because they pay for the privilege.

Ten years and $172 million went into building an elevated strip of park - the Highline - in Chelsea, which consists mostly of weeds poking through the ruins of railroad tracks. There are more dedicated park enforcement officers assigned there than to all of the Bronx, according to an advocacy group.

They shut down blocks of a major traffic artery in the heart of Manhattan so people can lounge in beach chairs on Broadway.

More and more, it feels like "Alice in Wonderland," but underlying the absurdity, it's like a tale of two cities, a story of the haves and the have-nots.

Yes, 10 years from now, we'll be looking back at former Mayor Bloomberg's absurd remaking of a city of unique character to one big homogenized mall, where the tourists feel right at home because it is exactly the same as their hometown.

Oh, wait. Bloomberg will probably still be in office, trying to close off E. Tremont Ave. to all but tourists in horse-drawn carriages.

13 comments:

Someone who knows said...

Bread and circuses baby.

Anonymous said...

That was truly a dumb editorial. Yes, Yankee Stadium, Randalls Island, all points well taken. But Broadway? Converting that into a public plaza ain't elitism folks! It's the very definition of anti-elitism. Someone please tell the Daily News to actually look at car ownership and traffic statistics. Bwah, but those are facts.. why would a rag like that be interested in facts?

Anonymous said...

Elitism is catering to tourists before the residents of the City. So yes, the Broadway fiasco is elitist.

Anonymous said...

New York is a highly resilient city that evolves, to some degree, in its own organic fashion despite many plans that Bloomberg types have attempted to impose upon it throughout its long history.

You create one project here or there and with all of the "diligent" planning it quickly creates another problem elsewhere.

New York ain't Disneyland and Walt Bloomberg can't micromanage it like an anal control freak!

It will rear up on its own accord and bite him on the ass like a sleeping Cobra in the grass!

Watch out where you step Mayor Mike.

DON'T TREAD ON THE MIDDLE CLASS!

Anonymous said...

This image is surreal...tourists from Nebraska lounging on beach chairs in the center of a bustling metropolis as if it were a corn field in the boonies!

One day a drunk driver (or a terrorist) in an 18 wheel semi is going to turn into that street and come barreling down the pike!

That will be super surreal afternoon!

Any more "bright" ideas Bloomberg?

Taxpayer said...

This Commissar knows the clock is running out on his reign.

That explains the frenzy of land grabs and freaky street closings.

Let's help this moron spend his final days in an uphill battle for whatever new obsessions consume him.

Then, let's obliterate his plans on September 15. Let's use the primary election to flush his toilet.

On November 3, take charge and elect Tony Avella.

Wade Nichols said...

I passed through Times Square last night, and the people lounging in the lawn chairs looked completely ridiculous.

They had this look that says: "OMG!! OMG!!! This is like, so cool, or something!!!! We're like, sitting in here in Times Square, or something, in these lounge chairs!!!! Hey everybody!!!! Look at me!!!!"

Anonymous said...

This image is surreal...tourists from Nebraska lounging on beach chairs...

They're not from Nebraska, moron. If they were, they'd be wearing Huskers sweatshirts. Actually, if you'd actually pay attention to more than your own ego, you'll notice that most of the loungers are wearing black jackets. These are New Yorkers!!!

I passed through Times Square last night, and the people lounging in the lawn chairs looked completely ridiculous.

Poor, poor Wade. Because your mother never loved you, you've created all manners of silly psychological defenses. You may not know how to relax and enjoy what life gives you, but these people do! Go ahead, make fun of them... if that helps you sleep at night.

Wade Nichols said...

Poor, poor Wade. Because your mother never loved you, you've created all manners of silly psychological defenses. You may not know how to relax and enjoy what life gives you, but these people do! Go ahead, make fun of them... if that helps you sleep at night.


If I want to lounge about in a lawn chair, I do it on a lawn, or on a secluded beach (preferably an exclusive one that keeps out the hoi polloi). Not in the middle of one of the world's busiest thoroughfares.

As for your comments about my mother, I'm willing to bet that you are the cry baby who was whining a couple days ago that I have made threatening remarks to other posters.

But I bet I can still knock you on your ass!

Anonymous said...

Happy B-Day Wade! Kick Ass!

Snake Plissskin said...

This is something out of towners would do. A NYer once as a goof, perhaps.

But we are a little more sophisticated than to fall for this silly stunt. We sit in cafes to people watch.

Sort of like AM radio vs the IMAX experience.

Chalk a (rare one) in Wade's column.

The mayor is making NY a joke, from politics (3rd term), to life style (Cornhuskers on bikes), to the very fabric of our city.

He should stay in Bermuda.

Anonymous said...

bloomberg is heartless and brutal dicktator. please lets all unite and vote him out. the news papers won't report all the corruption and all the stimulus money bloomberg is handing to his real estate developers buddies.

Anonymous said...

As for your comments about my mother, I'm willing to bet that you are the cry baby who was whining a couple days ago that I have made threatening remarks to other posters.

Huh? What's the connection?
Oh, if I say I'm one and the same, that will compensate for your mommy's failure to give you adequate love and attention?

Wade, do you need a hug?