I Got a Paul for You, Josh; Taki the Barbarian; Don't Stop, Signorile; No. Don't. Stop.; Good Torch Scorch, MUGGER, But Quit Pickin' on Li'l Timmy Noah; Commie Jerk Cockburn Can't Type; "Bee" Stings; More
The Kid's All White
RE Alan Cabal's "Daily Billboard" on a potential White History Month (1/18). Love his Klan-do attitude.
Aaron Spiegel, Manhattan
Pretzel Logic
What a pleasure to read a quick skewering of the pompous Christopher Hitchens in Alexander Cockburn's column ("Wild Justice," 1/16). Hitchens has always seemed so omniscient that he can take on the right (or the left) with two drinks tied behind his back. Cockburn's depiction of him as "Lunchtime O'Booze" is right on. Hitchens' method likely consists of little more than two very long cocktail straws concealed beneath his shirt.
As for the quandary on how Clinton would have been treated if he had passed out from choking on a pretzel, "It's the credibility, stupid." The Clinton examples offered: getting White House blowjobs from his girlfriend, being hit by a Hillary-tossed lamp and bombing countries as a distraction, are already part of the public record. Thanks for the reminder. Please bring back Christopher Caldwell.
M. Van Voorhis, Alton, IL
During the Gore/Bradley contest, I was invited to a debate between Bradley foreign policy proxies and Gore. The event was sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association and the audience was studded with elite worthies like Katrina vanden Heuvel.
After the debate, I went to the drinks reception and approached a group of journalists talking about Torricelli's travails. A well-coifed and well-known Times woman was the center of attention. I will withhold her name, but she offered her view that what was interesting about the Torricelli problem was his gaucheness and implausibility as a boyfriend to an Upper Class Woman who previously dated the likes of Ron Perlman.
Ms. Times woman went on to get many laughs at Sen. Torricelli's expense and compared him to mobsters who perished on The Sopranos. The series was all the rage at the time and many of the present worthies thought Torricelli was like the corrupt Jersey pol who wanted to build a Museum of Trucking and Science.
Russ, you are onto something. Everyone secretly believes what you wrote. Torricelli may be corrupt, but if his ethnicity had been laundered through the Sulzberger spin cycle (like the covert lowbrows Hillary and her fetid brothers), he would have escaped scrutiny. Not even his pro-choice pose will save him from the wrath of W. 43rd St.
Tom Phillips, Manhattan
Droppin' G's
Russ Smith is a pretty sharp guy, so it amazes me that he would claim to believe that George W.'s dropping of g's is a leading reason why fancypants Northeastern liberals consider him an intellectual failure ("MUGGER," 1/16). For the record, that's not an example of his intellectual bankruptcy, it's an example of the cynical and transparent way he tries to play down his silver-spoon upbringing in order to pander to the same regular-guy voters his tax policies show such contempt for. I'd say it's a lot more likely that people brand him as an intellectual failure because he's a nimrod who can't put a sentence together and who's never shown an ounce of intellectual depth or curiosity in spite of his lifelong access to the best schools in the world. And Smith's inference that those same fancypants liberals are hypocrites if they happen to be fans of Dylan?another noted g-dropper?is just silly.
Chris Erikson, Brooklyn
He's Just Misunderstood
Reader George Fattell ("The Mail," 1/16) was absolutely right in pointing out that the film Black Hawk Down was an accurate depiction of a true event and that the director, Ridley Scott, certainly does not deserve to be labeled a racist. Who does Armond White think he is? From what I've read of him, not only are his reviews always rambling and quite often inaccurate, but he is continually the most racist "journalist" I've read in your paper to date. Get a grip Mr. White?you're really not all that. And by the way, you should apologize when you're wrong.
Dina Cohen, Manhattan
Pledge to Continue Gossiping
Mike Signorile: I will be glad to take your pledge to keep America what it was and what it can be in the future ("The Gist," 1/16). That is a country where anyone can talk out loud about anything he wants. If this country allows edited thought, well, we will start down a slope of no return. I might not like what you have to say and maybe even wish I could stop you from saying it, but I would fight to the death so that you can say whatever you want. I know that this is not a very good way of saying what I mean, but I hope you understand. Please keep up the good work and never stop writing.
Warren B. Faulconer, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Two Big Meanies
MUGGER: Your comments about Timothy Noah were unnecessarily meanspirited (1/16). A "throwaway" comment does not demand such a virulent character assault in response. The exchange does not reflect well on either of you.
Brian Montopoli, Washington, DC
Noah's Bark
MUGGER: That had to be the funniest rip on someone [Timothy Noah] I've read in a long time. Nice job.
Ben Silverman, Brooklyn
American History Xed
Spencer Ackerman's account of William Jones' class on Southern history at Rutgers ("Live & Learn," 1/9) reminds me of Eugene D. Genovese's observation that the contemporary approach to Southern history can be boiled down to four words: Black good, white bad.
Speaking of Southern history and higher education in New Jersey, did I ever mention that my great-grandfather's brigadier, James J. Archer, was a graduate of Princeton? The Yankees captured them both?Gen. Archer and my great-grandfather, an illiterate private from Alabama?in the opening battle along Willoughby Run at Gettysburg July 1. Neither man was black or a CIO organizer, so I reckon they are equally doomed to obscurity. Or infamy, if Genovese was right.
Robert Stacy McCain, Gaithersburg MD
Sticky Fingers
Alexander Cockburn: Clinton was president on Oct. 3, 1993, not Bush. Try to get the basic facts correct.
Name Withheld, via e-mail
Alexander Cockburn replies: Sorry about that. Since I wrote about Bush using his Somalian intervention to obliterate coverage of the pardon of Weinberger, most readers probably assumed correctly that I mistyped 1993 for 1992.
Old Anarcho-Libertarian, Actually
Who knew this idiot Alexander Cockburn was still alive and spouting nonsense? You have to laugh when you read his revisionist left history of events that are nowhere near what he prints in his column. What trash! Nothing like this crap to wake you up in the morning and make you realize that there are still Noam Chomsky lovers out there in the lib media and who incorrectly think that our president is dumb. This Cockburn is a relic of the commie jerks who used to be listened to. Now he is just pathetic.
G.K. Smith, San Jacinto, CA
Looney Tunes
Alexander Cockburn: You just don't get it, do you? The problem with you looney liberals is you can't handle the truth ("Wild Justice," 1/16). For more than eight years those of us who pay attention have put up with an administration of liars aided and abetted by a liberal media. We now have an honest, adult administration and you cannot relate to honesty or truth.
You are the fault of Clinton being dishonest and corrupt. You turned a blind eye to that inept administration and helped destroy honest and good people who tried to alert the public about their lies and corruption. You now are trying to destroy an honest and honorable president and his competent administration. You will not do it. The truth is on their side.
About your statement, "If Clinton 'choked on a pretzel' while watching a football game alone, passed out and later flaunted a vivid facial bruise, they'd say that he was getting a blowjob from one of his girlfriends, got hit by Hillary with a lamp and then bombed Afghanistan to distract public attention": Yes, most of us would believe that statement in spite of the way you in the liberal looney media would "spin" it, just for the simple fact that it would be true. Thank God for President George W. Bush.
J.L. Burns, Southport, NC
Where's Moose and Squirrel?
I have spoken with my manager, Ralph Sovo, who told me I should be grateful of New York Press for such kind words, so I would like to say that I am very grateful of your publication for Mr. Ned Vizzini's article on me ("Since When?" 1/16). Unfortunately, Mr. Vizzini did not print my first name correctly: I am Nicholas, not Peter. I was also disappointed to see that Mr. Vizzini wrote also about Luboknovich. He is a waste of valuable newspaper ink to spend time with him. But is no big deal. In America, at least. Back in Soviet Union, Mr. Vizzini would be in gulag by now. But as I say in this country: If there is no harm, then yo Jack, there is no foul.
Nicholas Stravinsky, Manhattan
Rubber Band Man
A rubber band that was just (very unfortunately) very tightly wrapped around my right upper forearm was snapped very hard just now as I was pulling my sleeve down to write this letter to you, so I apologize if some of my writing is a bit slurred. I have only vague remembrance of affixing the rubber band (of the turquoise, heavy-duty variety) there several nights ago. No matter. I do not blame you.
I wanted to thank you for publishing such kind words about myself in Mr. Vizzini's recent column. I also commend you for referring to Nicholas Stravinsky as "Peter" (haha!), although I was saddened to see that you ate his manager Ralph Sovo's baloney, and decided to refer to him as "The Great." Admittedly, Sovo is my manager as well; however, in his words, "Stravinsky needs a nickname, you do not. Your work stands on its own, his work needs water wings." The episode reminded me of something that happened in my childhood. As you may know, I lost all functionality of my right eardrum as a child swimming in the Black Sea. Although I was wearing water wings, it was still classified as "swimmer's ear." No matter.
In any event, keep up the good work, and please continue to cover my performances. You're right though; Stravinsky isn't as dreadful and appalling as he first appears (although at a recent performance, while doing his infamous squirrel impersonation, he was booed off the stage after attempting to bite and lick the fingers of a female audience member). One audience member even kicked him square in the behind! Okay, maybe I'm confusing a few things a few too many times. Damn rubber band!
Alexander Pierre Luboknovich, Brooklyn
Bring Back the Beans
MUGGER: You had better act quick! This morning I log on to find you wedged in with Michelangelo Signorile and Claus von Bulow (although Signorile, in a rare departure, was somewhat lucid). We need Caldwell back.
Jim Lehan, Manhattan
She'd Make a Classy Receptionist
MUGGER: Someone has to [hire Tina Brown]. You don't want her to go to work running Jane Rosenberg's house, do you? She's probably banned from England, and Hillary doesn't like poodles. Liz Smith has software that translates press releases into columns, so a secretary job isn't in the offing. What will she do, what will she do? Help her Obie-Smith Ka-Russie, you're her only hope!
Skip Press, Burbank, CA
Conan the Greek
I thank God and the wise founders of our country that we in the United States have constitutional principles, as in the Eighth Amendment, that work to protect us, although very imperfectly, from the barbarism of people like Taki, who would do things like institutionalize the torture of prisoners. People like Taki?those who seek to substitute savagery for civility?make up part of a "Taliban" of the Western world ("Top Drawer," 1/9) that Michelangelo Signorile writes so well about in the same issue of New York Press. The enlightened principles of our Constitution distinguish a democratic and civilized people from backward idolaters of tyranny like the fundamentalist fanatics who attacked us. Fortunately, these principles keep getting in the way of the agenda of the radical right wing. In any case, the United States will do very well against its enemies without imitating their depravities.
Deniz Tekiner, Manhattan
He Takes Numbers, Too
The great thing about Taki is that he names names. (Of course, so did Truman Capote, and all that got him was Lee Radziwill.) Life is a sitcom; it's the characters, not the plot. That's why Taki, week after week, is such a great read?unless, of course, you're one of the names.
C.J. Mellor, Savannah
It's Enronic
MUGGER: I guess you're doing this on purpose, but by limiting the scope of the Bush team's Enron-help to their responses to a couple phone calls, you ignore the larger story ("MUGGER," 1/16), not to mention the cronyism detailed by Paul Krugman in last week's New York Times. (Yeah, I know, not one of your favorites, but try a dispassionate reading of the facts listed therein.) What did Enron receive for spreading around campaign loot? All the governmental favors (deregulation, etc.) they could possibly hope for. Up-close-and-personal opportunities to write administration energy policy. And, oh, yes, the back of President Bush's hand when it mattered, but little compared to all that came before. There are cogent arguments against campaign reform. But Enron isn't one of them, and your myopia only serves to illuminate your bias.
Harley Peyton, Los Angeles
Evenhanded?
MUGGER: In your defense of Enron you are ignoring the conferences that Ken Lay had with the Vice President where energy policy was discussed and where the American people probably got shafted. Otherwise, why the refusal to disclose what went on there? I get the feeling that MUGGER is highly partisan, pretending to be evenhanded.
Otto M. Schiff, Carmel, CA
Russ Smith replies: Read closely and see that I wrote that Cheney should explain those six meetings last spring with Enron execs.
Color Us Amused
MUGGER: The left doesn't hate rich people. Just wait. I have heard that a consortium of poor people will take over the assets of Enron and create another giant that will supply thousands of jobs for the poor. I must warn you not to hold your breath since I can't remember any group of poor people giving people jobs. But I hope this new experience will set a new standard. As for the p.c. crowd, I have also heard that the press will replace some of the terrorists with a black, a woman, a handicapped person and an Hispanic in the group picture of these terrorists as they appear in court. You must not forget diversity.
Kenneth Parady, Grand Rapids, MI
Where Might One Find The Hind Tit?
MUGGER: I've got another take on the Times' vendetta against Sen. Robert Torricelli ("MUGGER," 1/16). Unlike most of his Democratic colleagues who are sucking trial lawyers' hind tits (or other parts of their anatomies), the Torch wants to bring some reasonableness into the asbestos shakedown. In this instance he's wandered off the liberal plantation so he must be whupped by the overseers. Of course it's true that the president of GAF has given the senior senator from NJ a few campaign bucks to get his ear, but at least Bob has tried to introduce legislation that limits payments to people who are really suffering from asbestos exposure, not every Joe who touched Armstrong tile once in his life. It might be interesting to see whether the loss in market capitalization from stock price declines in Dow, Armstrong, W.R. Grace, U.S. Gypsum, Crown Cork & Seal, plus many others, thanks to the bloodsucking, lying trial lawyers exceeds the Enron debacle.
Jon Bass, Norristown, PA
Tarred Torricelli
MUGGER: Here's another reason The New York Times might want to tar and feather Torricelli. The Senator is a reliable and sometimes flamboyant liberal. On two issues his rhetoric and usually his votes are off the reservation.
One is taxes. He's been quoted as saying something along the lines of, "I don't know where it's written that if you're a Democrat you have to be against tax cuts." This is from memory so it might not be an exact quote, but the gist is accurate.
The other issue is Cuba. Throughout his congressional career he's been one of the few Democrats who has consistently supported anti-Castro Cubans and to tell the truth about Castro.
Charles Quinn, Oxford, MS
Well, He Was Italian
The slurs against Italians will continue in New York Press' restaurant reviews. Even Andrey Slivka's departure hasn't kept the slurs out of the "Food" section. And, of course, every few months there is a gratuitous slam at Johnny Thunders in the "Music" section.
Joe Mazza, Manhattan
Santa Monica Snit
After reading all the mail last week, I thought it was just me who was astonished at the rudeness of John Strausbaugh ("Publishing," 1/2) and the like. It heartens me to see that others picked up on the same attitude I did. I guess you don't need others to reach out in help as you're all healed and back to being the lousiest city in the U.S. of A. I have always said that the "Ugly Americans" are New Yorkers and you guys have not disappointed me. Your mayor simply did his job and he's "Person of the Year," we Californians with genuine grief sent teams with dogs trained to search out live people in wreckage, plus millions in aid, and you accuse us of being jealous because nothing happened here and of being phonies for not following up with due diligence as to where the Red Cross was spending the funds donated. And now when volunteers from Oklahoma City reach out with grief counseling you respond with utter rudeness. The real shame that you have to bear, however, are the widows of firefighters and the police who self-righteously proclaim their dead to be "more important" than the poor souls who merely worked at the WTC. Will New York ever be able to live that down? I think not. Why should we ever care what happens to you again?
Sonia Martinez, Santa Monica, CA
You Need Five for the Freebie
I enjoyed John Strausbaugh's "Don't Cry for Us, Oklahomans." What I want to know is, if I were to join the Trauma Club, would I automatically experience a disaster each month if I failed to return my reply card before the response date? Are there a minimum number of disasters I'll have to experience to fulfill my introductory commitment (the offer of premium tickets for the World Trade Center observation platform is a real enticement)? Will there be alternate disasters to choose from each month? And do I get to experience a free extra disaster for, say, every four I buy? I wonder how club prices will compare to the cost of disasters experienced in everyday life.
Barry Lyons, Manhattan
It's Called "Bee," Okay?
I hear you're canceling Jason Little's "Shutterbug Follies," and I would like to just register my displeasure, disgust and disdain. The fact that you would kill this enjoyable and beautifully colored piece of work and keep a dismal piece of crap like that...whatever the hell that idiotic thing with the bear is, is just dumb. And canceling something halfway through its storyline is even dumber. Right now, "Henry" is the best thing you're running, except perhaps for "Idiot Man." This is especially sad, considering that the Press used to actually have a better comics section than the Voice. Then again, the Press used to have lots of things better than the Voice, too. I guess nothing lasts forever.
Jesse Fuchs, Manhattan
Keep the Bee
I just wanted to register my displeasure at your apparent decision to drop Jason Little's comic strip "Bee" from your paper. It's consistently one of the best things in the Press, and the best comic I've seen the Press carry since I moved here six years ago.
David Goldstein, Manhattan
Tom's Got a 'Tic
Not to be too picky but please have a word with your rewrite person in the letters department. When I referred to the "Democrat" party in my most recent letter ("The Mail," 1/16) I was chagrined to find it changed to the "Democratic" Party in your online letters. Please inform this person that the reference was correct and still appropriate, as coined by our late lamented Wisconsin Sen. Joe McCarthy.
Tom Paynter, Las Vegas
A Bustle in Your Woodrow
Russ Smith: If Woodrow Wilson's intolerance and unconstitutional activities during WWI were products of a degenerative disease, then he suffered from it all his life ("MUGGER," 1/16;"Daily Billboard," 1/10). Born and raised in the 19th century in Staunton, VA, he was a segregationist by birth; and as a Democratic politician in that era he remained a Jim Crow supporter by choice (he had no chance at the presidency unless he embraced a racial philosophy acceptable to Southerners, and Wilson was ambitious above all else).
Wilson was a visionary to the depths of his soul, and exhibited the zeal and temperament of a totalitarian most of his adult life. He was the closest we have ever come to having a dictator in the White House. His tenure was the incubus for the foot soldiers of FDR and the creation of our current leviathan federal government. That he has been the darling of liberal historians says far more about those historians and their antidemocratic elitism than any positive accomplishment during Wilson's presidency.
As for Wilson, the man and the leader, a telling anecdote: When elected governor of New Jersey, Wilson was serving as president of Princeton. The announcement of his election led to days of riotous celebration on the Princeton campus for the simple reason that he would very soon be leaving the school.
Larry Dempsey, Modesto, CA
Curious George
RE GEORGE Szamuely's article "Nothing Urgent" ("Taki's Top Drawer," 1/9): Great article?facts, figures, everything the mainstream press is unable and unwilling to do. Thank you for raising questions that someday will have to be answered.
Fredda Weinberg, Delray Beach, FL
They're Very Literal in Cranford
MUGGER pondered why The New York Times seems to dislike Sen. Robert Torricelli (1/16). Unfortunately he tried to find an answer by exploring silly stereotypes about Italian-Americans. Surely MUGGER can do better. Consider that the Torch voted for Bush's ridiculously lopsided and oversized tax cut. He was one of the few Democrats to do so. Any moron who voted for the Bush tax bill might as well be a Republican.
MUGGER also wondered why Bush swept the Southern states in the 2000 election "if Bush favored only wealthy Americans." First, the aforementioned ludicrous tax cut was not the only campaign issue. Many Southerners are conservative, religious and antichoice, and therefore align with the Party of God. Second, the wealthiest Americans (say, the top 10 percent) represent a small number of voters, and would hardly constitute a large voting bloc in any one state. If, as MUGGER claims, the red states "aren't known for their propensity toward millionaires," then Southerners will likely realize very modest tax reductions from the guy they put in the White House.
John Cantilli, Cranford, NJ
Deport Signorile
Mike Signorile: I respect your views on freedom of the press and gay rights. But to compare our government to the Taliban is absolutely disgraceful. If you feel that way about the government, then leave this country ("The Gist," 1/9). I admit we have our problems with race and homosexual preference, but to use American and Taliban in the same sentence is disgraceful. You would think after what New York City and Washington, DC, went through, you would realize how lucky we are to have freedom. But obviously you look for the bad. The Taliban gave no rights to women, either. We have more rights here?are we then considered American Taliban? A lot of people suffered during 9/11 and also during the Taliban rule. It's not just the homosexuals; you do realize that thousands of people suffered and watched two buildings collapse, people plunging to their deaths, people running, debris flying. To talk merely about the problems with homosexuality is saying that the lives lost are meaningless. I think your article is selfish and uncaring and downright cruel to the people whose lives were lost.
Jeanette Li, Manhattan
Bravo, Signo!
I couldn't agree with Mr. Signorile's column more. In Afghanistan, the U.S. has dislodged a theocracy that forces its extreme religious beliefs on everyone. In the U.S., the religious right would celebrate in the streets if a conservative Christian theocracy were established here?albeit we probably aren't that far away from one now, with our Republican rubber-stamp White House lead by George W. "Born Again" Bush.
I believe I'm correct in the proposition that our Founding Fathers wanted to allow religious freedom and expression of "personal" beliefs. My personal religious and spiritual beliefs differ significantly from the religious right in the U.S., but to them my beliefs are not valid and can/should be legislated against.
Brad Yost, Palm Springs, CA
The Big Hurt
I just wanted to take a moment to offer my positive support for Mike Signorile's article. As for those religious-right people who have been inundating you with negative e-mails I say?the truth hurts.
Barry Young, Cincinnati, OH
Justified Rhetoric
Mike Signorile has it dead right when he calls extremist elements of the religious right the "American Taliban." What other moniker is appropriate for a group of people who regularly demonize gays and lesbians as pedophiles and murderers, and who have the audacity to blame the gay community, among others, for the Sept. 11 attacks?
Millions of Americans believe in God yet don't use their faith to justify hate and intolerance. If the far right wants to act on the fringes of society, it shouldn't be surprised when it is treated as such.
John Aravosis, Washington, DC
Baby Talk
MUGGER: Our president has won me over, too, of late, but I still support a woman's right to choose, whether or not he does. What's your take on it?
T. Boyce, Manhattan
Russ Smith replies: I'm pro-choice as well, with the exception of partial-birth abortions.
That's Enough
MUGGER: I didn't know you and Slate's "Chatterbox" had a history (1/16). How many more Harvard guys are over there? Bunch of hotshot lawyers from Harvard on a chat room, that much I know.
Helen Marie Macomb, Oklahoma City
Shaddup, Nadler
Thank God for New York Press. Does any other New York paper dedicate itself virtually full-time to exposing hypocrisy? Absolutely not. The rest are in the hypocrisy business.
Speaking of hypocrisy, where was my congressman, Jerry Nadler, when The New York Times ran a front-page photo of those Palestinian homes the Israeli army blew up the other day? How strange that our Jerry, who waxes so indignant over any U.S. efforts to guard our security, which might impinge on anyone's rights, has zero interest in infinitely worse violations by Israel. Jerry, way left and critical of our government here, is way right and adoring of Sharon there. Uh, Jerry, how come President Bush is intolerable but whatever Sharon does is justified?
Look, ol' Jer can do what he wants. And for him Israel is always right (America rarely). But, please, sir, do not think for a moment that you are a human rights activist. The test for that is to care about human rights when your guys are doing the violating, not when people you don't care about are. So shut up on human rights violators everywhere unless and until you start mouthing off on Israel, too. Nadler is a big fat hypocrite. As a Jew who loves Israel but cares about its shameful violations of human rights in the occupied territories, I am appalled by Nadler. He should be ashamed. But, rest assured, he isn't, not when his campaign war chest keeps growing fatter from those AIPAC contributions!
Zev Waksman, Manhattan
Goin' for Golding
We worked on Kenneth B. Golding's campaign for mayor. William Bryk's assessment that Golding's run was a one-man nominating machine is far-fetched ("Old Smoke," 11/21). Golding had established his own party and one that made sense in a time of great anxiety. Golding was the only candidate with military, government and business experience.
Further, Golding's party name was not illegal. Bryk's assessment that "American" cannot be used in a party name is incorrect on a city level. Were Golding to run for governor, or any other state position, then in accordance with the law, Golding's "American" Dream Party would have violated the law. Under New York City law, there is no prohibition to have the word "American" in the name of your party. Hence, Golding's American Dream Party was a valid and legal name.
While 583 voted for Golding, the impact that he made was phenomenal. He did not have the backing of any of the other parties, major or minor. A study of true politics shows that if a candidate comes out of nowhere (as it appears here to a degree) and gains a 10 percent vote of the number of signatures he obtained, that candidate is said to have done extraordinarily well. Golding on his own obtained approximately 5800 signatures; the others that tipped the balance to obtain ballot recognition for Golding and the American Dream Party were from people who believed in Golding and the ideals of the American Dream Party. No other candidate on his own went out and met people directly, petitioned them eye-to-eye and obtained his own signatures.
With the election of Bloomberg, this sends a serious message to serious politicians like Golding, who is young enough to return to either politics or business, but must now think whether it makes more sense to reflect on his experience and return to run again 25 years later as a billionaire or go full-fledge into the political scene.
Golding, a struggling entrepreneur, former military man, is active in community government, understands the needs of the common people and was/is in touch with the everyday New Yorker.
Had the tragic events of Sept. 11 not occurred, Golding, while he may not have won, would have made more of an impact. After Sept. 11, new political parties such as the one Golding had established, while perhaps beneficial in the long run to New York City, were not the primary focus. The real focus became apolitical (rightfully so) and turned to helping the many New York and American and international families affected by these very difficult, sad and challenging times.
In the future, before addressing Golding as Last and Least, remember that in the wings awaits a growing and maturing political and business powerhouse who understands the city now and will do so better when his time comes. And his time will come.
Name Withheld, Golding Campaign for Mayor 2001, Manhattan
William Bryk replies: Mr. Golding seemed like a nice fellow. I've run for office myself: I believe that anyone who puts his name on the ballot and risks public comment is worthy of some respect. Moreover, the Board of Elections chose to put the name of Mr. Golding's