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12/23/2004: "Scroogey for the Holidays"
SOME SCROOGE THOUGHTS FOR THE HOLIDAY.
I know, I should be generous but I read the headlines and I just get these nasty thoughts in my head. I can’t help it. Besides, it is usually more fun to be nasty rather than nice.
Here are some thoughts on miscellaneous subjects.
THE WESTSIDE STADIUM LAWSUIT.
You knew this was going to happen and the only question was when. I mean it was predictable. This is New York, there is a big project, there is a lawsuit. I am sure you expected it because I sure did.
The plaintiffs are suing based upon an improper environmental review. Now those who did the review had to know this was coming and had to know that all their t’s had to be crossed and all their i’s had to be dotted. All I can say is if they are not, then they don’t deserve a stadium and shame on them.
KERIK GOES BYE-BYE.
Stoneface resigned from Prosecutor Partners. Now this doesn’t work for Mayor Prosecutor either way. If Mayor Prosecutor kept Stoneface, I would chide him for keeping a loyal comrade who lied to him. If Mayor Prosecutor dumped Stoneface, I would chide him for disloyalty. And forget about the technical resignation. Freezing out a partner is the same as termination.
But rather than take those two tacks, I am not going to criticize Guiliani (see I can be nice) at all. It was a lose-lose situation and I only attack in situations where there is a viable alternative that is not taken. There was none here. It was sad for all parties. And Kerik may be a good administrator with some flaws. But if he is still good, there is a place for him. I wish him well.
SPITZER BLANKS OUT.
Mr. Clean was pretty foolish for announcing so early.
Now there are problems with the MTA… so what is your plan Mr. Clean? The schools need money… so what is your plan Mr. Clean? Taxes are increasing… so what is your plan Mr. Clean?
Because Mr. Clean announced, he is now obligated to weigh in on these issues and provide viable alternatives. If he did not announce, he could still study his options and take this year to devise positions and plans. But he announced, so he needs to say something each and every time a major issues arises.
But then again, maybe that’s a good thing, since…..
HOW TO RUN AGAINST GOVERNOR PATACUOMO.
I read a line in the paper today that went something like this. Kalikow proposed tax increases to support the MTA’s capital plan. The Governor’s spokesman commented that the Governor had no comment and was away on vacation.
Like that is any different from any comment I have heard for the past two years on any issue. “The Governor has no comment and is away on vacation.” I am tired of hearing that. Or, when the Governor wants to sound weighty, “The Governor is reviewing the recommendations and has no comment at this time.” The only problem is the Governor never has a comment!
The fact is when was the last time Governor Patacuomo actually governed. I mean rolled up his sleeves and did anything. Does New York even have a Governor?
Governance in its grittiest, guttiest form is about two things. Governing (oh you knew that already) and taking care of your friends (a fact of life you knew already and hate admitting). Governor Patacuomo has abdicated the governance role. And you know that he has been doing a lot of fundraising for others and trying to make more friends for a move somewhere (pity anyplace that he goes). So the only thing he must be doing is taking care of his friends.
Let’s face, the past two years, governance has been done by Sheldon Silver and Joseph Bruno. At best, they have done a fair job and at worst, a mediocre job. New York needs a governor. It doesn’t have one. Give the Lieutenant Governor a shot, even if you don’t resign. I mean if Patacuomo doesn’t want the indignity of resigning at least he could let someone else do the job. I don’t care that what’s her name is a Republican. Who knows, she might be good. But at least she will try to govern. Patacuomo doesn’t care and doesn’t try.
Governor, resign now and allow for some leadership.
If he doesn’t resign and runs for re-election just remember to take out all the press clippings that say, “the Governor has no comment, he is away on vacation,” string them all together and just ask, “have we had a Governor for the past four years?”
