Did you see The Daily Show last night? Bill O'Reilly was Jon Stewart's guest and the exchange between the two was very, very funny. Both men presented their views well although I tend to agree with Stewart's "prism of rational thought" and "Greenwich Village" opinion rather than O'Reilly's traditionalism and Ozzie & Harriet world view.
Best line of the show was when Stewart, in response to O'Reilly's description of America as a "traditional nation", said that the American tradition is a "progression of individual freedoms".
I would like to see more of Stewart and O'Reilly together. It would be very informative and entertaining.
You Tube Video of McCain/Palin discussing Elitism with Brian Williams
During John McCain and Sarah Palin's joint interview with NBC's Brian Williams, one of the Republican party candidates demonstrated great disdain for urban America, particularly our home here in New York City. Surprisingly, this time it was not Governor Sarah Palin, but Senator Maverick, John McCain.
Ben Smith of Politic0 has the transcript of this exchange:
WILLIAMS: Who is a member of the elite?
PALIN: Oh, I guess just people who think that they're better than anyone else. And-- John McCain and I are so committed to serving every American. Hard-working, middle-class Americans who are so desiring of this economy getting put back on the right track. And winning these wars. And America's starting to reach her potential. And that is opportunity and hope provided everyone equally. So anyone who thinks that they are-- I guess-- better than anyone else, that's-- that's my definition of elitism.
WILLIAMS: So it's not education? It's not income-based? It's--
PALIN: Anyone who thinks that they're better than someone else.
WILLIAMS: --a state of mind? It's not geography?
PALIN: 'Course not.
WILLIAMS: Senator?
MCCAIN: I-- I know where a lot of 'em live. (LAUGH)
WILLIAMS: Where's that?
MCCAIN: Well, in our nation's capital and New York City. I've seen it. I've lived there. I know the town. I know-- I know what a lot of these elitists are. The ones that she never went to a cocktail party with in Georgetown. I'll be very frank with you. Who think that they can dictate what they believe to America rather than let Americans decide for themselves.
I am sick and tired of hearing that living in New York City or any urban area somehow makes you less Pro American than those who live in the so-called heartland. or that small town values are superior to big city values. I agree with Craigslist founder and customer service representative Craig Newmark when he writes:
From my personal experience, I can tell you that pretty much all Americans have a common set of values, mostly derived from the same shared value. It's the notion that you should treat other people like you want to be treated. If you feel that, you feel that people should treat others fairly. We should all compete on a level playing field, and play by the same rule; that's how to get ahead.
Beyond that, people generally feel that once they've provided for themselves, they should give someone else a break. That's the basis for all philanthropy.
Sure, people make other decisions about values for lots of other reasons. However, our shared values unite us; we have more in common than that which separates us.
Jason Jones of Jon Stewart's Daily show visits Sarah Palin's hometown of Wasilla Alaska to find out how small town values differ from those in the big city and asks Sarah Palin's successor as Wasilla's Mayor to describe an average day.
Roosevelt Island's NY State Senator Jose Serrano is attending the Democratic Convention in Denver and blogging about it at the great New York political site, Room 8. According to Mr. Serrano, the Democratic Party delegates, including Hillary Clinton supporters, are united behind Barack Obama. From Room 8:
... From my vantage point – the New York Delegation seats – I was hard-pressed to find anyone sitting on their hands, or otherwise looking dissatisfied with the process. It's as clear as the Mile High air that Dems are united behind Obama.
Any hurt feelings over Clinton not getting the nomination, or not being selected veep, is red meat for the pundits, but hasn't exactly carried over to the mass of delegates (and we're the ones that matter most in this regard).
One telling sign: I overheard that some national reporters were scrounging around looking for delegates to get on camera and voice their displeasure with Obama. But they couldn't find anyone willing to do it.
At a certain point you have to ask whether a small segment of pundits go out and write the story / set the tone before they even take out their notebook...
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
