Gothamist: How the City Blocked Protests in Central Park

bklynd

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 20:07:26 -0500

I agree that there is possibly something there - but the more I think about it I really don't think this is very good evidence (or a well-written NYT article.) Ultimately, only one of the bits definitely indicates they were thinking politically - the Lennon email (which is also last chronologically.) The rest could conceivably be a "not on our pretty lawn" agenda. I'm sure that's what the lawyers will argue, anyway.

Michael

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:51:18 -0500

5/bklynd I agree that most of this appears to land on the Parks Dept. And while the skeptic in me retorts "well of course Bloomberg isn't going to put his name in the paper trail" that doesn't qualify as evidence. Still, the Parks Department answers to the Office of The Mayor, and if the Parks Department is denying access based on political speech under the Mayor's watch that's at least a serious case of neglect and mismanagement, and is plausibly something more sinister.

bklynd

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:53:25 -0500

I read the NYT story late last night, and just couldn't wrap my brain around how the evidence was supposed to all fit together. Parks dept. wants one thing, cops think the opposite, parks people lobby cops before meeting with Bloomberg so that they will win. Bloomberg testified that he didn't make the decisions, but he got a memo on it. The Lennon people are told no because Parks had just said no the previous month. Parks dept writes in 2003 that they don't want any rallied on their lawns. There's lots of stuff there that makes the Parks Dept. look like assholes (which is what you would expect!), but not much that sticks to Mayor Mike.

edEx

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 14:25:43 -0500

Animals don't wanna hear your whining. Save it for the streets.

S.D.

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:58:34 -0500

"He'll have to arrange for a subway terror threat very soon!"? Depends on how Republican he really is...

sp

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:49:41 -0500

so, where are those right winger assholes who were so vehement at the time? Heres a big fat I TOLD YOU SO, you douche bags.

MT

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:48:25 -0500

Guess it's a good thing he's not seeking higher office.