Is that car still available? It seems as if the Pontiac Vibe is a swell looking ride! Maybe the owner could email me about their purchase? Its always good to hear firsthand about such a modest ride.

I'm a Haverford alum and was appalled to see this in the alumni magazine. There would have been a slew of offended people and a full semester of discussion about this if it had shown up in, say, the Bi-Co. This guy was my editor when I drew for the Bi-Co, and I'm really surprised to see him go this far.

As for you, "what the hell is Haverford," we haven't heard of you either.

I cannot begin to describe in what bad taste this "essay" has been written. Why can a person get away with writing something like this, let alone publishing it? Are you kidding me?

I just have one question.. If I wrote about any ethnic/racial/religious oh i don't know... let's say the jews, infesting oh I don't know.. the Upper West Side, and developing most of Brooklyn, Long Island City, and the Bronx, would that article also be published?

This article comes as a shock to me, not only because it's coming from a person who claims he himself is an American, but it's coming from a person who is also a New Yorker - New York being the home of immigrants in the first place. Why do you live here if you cannot accept the fact that immigrants bring a variety of cultures into this city?

As an eighteen year old Polish-American woman, I find this article not only absurd and full of fallacious information, but also very biased against the Polish Community. If there is anything a journalist must make sure to do, is to avoid bias. Langlieb is obviously an incompetent journalist or whatever he is, he's just a failure. A failure in life. I hope to send him a nice letter like this regarding his article. What's nice is that we can all do it and in his words, "infest" his mail box with our lovely correspondance.

So thanks Langlieb for letting us all know what kind of a moron you are, you'll be seeing my many letters in the mail shortly.

And By the way Langlieb, Bravo to this "satire"! I'm glad that Haverford sets the admissions bar somewhere below sea level. It gives latent geniuses like you a chance to flourish! And with an education like that, I'm sure you'll make this world better, smarter, and a whole lot less "disgusting".

cheers,

Gabriela E.

Guys.... Seriously. I agree with bmcgal. If you can't like see that it was like obviously a satire of the disassociation of socioeconomic forces affecting the dentists of 18th century blind tuna fishermen and how it would eventually impact on the breakup of Brittany and KFed then you are an idiot. Seriously? You missed that? You know when he compared the dumb pollacks pretty much to rats and then he told a Polish Joke. Watch out Starbucks... Langlieb is making a push for social change in the Haverford Alumni Magazine and the New York City Parks Department. I'm guessing the next batch of Central park painted cows will be dressed as Nazis.

By the way, I took an English lit class my first semester. So I am obviously an expert. Besides, I went to Haverford which makes me way smarter. It's almost like Harvard. My sister went to Yale-verford. And she agrees with me.

I'm hoping bmcgal was being sarcastic. Enough with the pseudo cliff note English majors. All of a sudden, everyone is an expert on satire.

In fairness, I suggest you replace stupid pollack in this essay with any other ethnic or racial group. What if Langlieb suggested that Brooklyn was full of dumb n..gars. What if he suggested that Greenpoint's main problem was all the Puerto Ricans living together like rats. What if he stated that he couldn't wait for the jews to be gone so that the neighborhood could get better.

I guess that's Jonathan Swiftlike biting wit too.



You can't defend this dribble as satire. Satire is more like Mayor Bloomberg sending in tanks to Greenpoint to take over Polish enclaves. Maybe give all the tanks German drivers. Or giving grenades to gang members so that they could blow each other up and have the homeless clean up the mess. Two problems solved at once. Jobs for the homeless and less crime.

The small bits of "satire" in Langlieb's essay were overpowered by what appeared to be some of his own deep seeded ethnic prejudicesthat he let slip in. He probably grew up in a house where ethnic slurs were OK. I blame his mother.



If you want to see satire, read the Onion piece that Langlieb seems to have ripped his essay off of. In my humble opinion, you can see the difference.

I don't think this kid should lose his job over this. Most recent college grads are a little to cocky for their own good.

It is fairly obviously a satirical look at liberal arts school graduates with high-minded idealism and no willingness to act on it, to engage their community. It is satire of the disassociation ex-students often engage in when they move to a neighborhood with history and culture, choosing the box-shop mentality over appreciating their surroundings.

And anyone who didn't figure that out... wow. Seriously?

For the sake of other trustafarians from non-ivy league and defensive about it private colleges, I have to assume this is satire. Nevertheless, placing it in the college alumni mag was a poor choice. To place an otherwise mildly amusing essay in this context says that the writer couldn't get it published anywhere else and construes it as something of an inside joke between alums - rather than the observent satire regarding gentrification that it is. And while I like to think we're bound to fail as a society if we can't laugh at ourselves, gentrification is perhaps too sensitive a subject right now for something as biting as this.

LOL, I have to say that even I'm amused by this post. A little advice, Next time you decide to make fun of people make sure you think your process through before you put it in writing .

I don’t know, is Harlem, China Town, or Graham any Better? Do they have 24hr banana republic? LOL

I apologize to everyone that took offense from my article. I admit it was stupid to write such things about the decent hard working Polish people in Greenpoint. I was just upset because my girlfriend cheated on me with a Polish man and ever since I confronted him I can’t think straight.

I beg all to have mercy on me when I’m walking down Manhattan Avenue alone in the Middle of the night.

Sorry.

P/N

While I am confident that Mr. Langlieb’s essay does not reflect the views of the Park Department or the Mayor’s Office, he clearly identifies himself as a city employee in his byline. Whether misguided satire or a reflection of his true feelings for Poles, the essay was in poor taste and reflects poorly on the city of New York and Haverford college. He did a diservice to himself and his fellow alumni. There must be a few alumni donors and employers that were put off by his essay. He paints a picture of Haverford students as being pretentious, elitist self righteous twits. Who wants to hire someone like that?

I am a Polish American. Like many Polish Americans, I speak three languages. My cultural heritage includes the music of Chopin, the science of Copernicus, the poetry of Milosz and the compassion of Pope John Paul II. Not surprisingly, I take personal offense to being labeled as an illiterate moron or a rat. As an attorney, I prefer "shark" :)

Poles have contributed so much to American society; it is shameful that a City employee would disparage our hardworking community in a written publication. Polish businesses contribute to the success of New York City. In fact, Greenpoint’s Polish residents rate among the area’s highest investors. They have been honored for their efforts in helping clean up the Hudson River and for removing blight. They bring culture to a city that was built on the diversity of its immigrant population.

Mr. Langlieb owes the Polish community an apology. As a park department employee, I suggest reassigning him to clean pigeon droppings off central park’s statute of Polish King Jagiello. Otherwise, I have compassion for the guy. He made a mistake.

No one is attacking David. It's obviously satire.

I don't know if I am more offended by this kid's writing or Haverford's English department. Sounds like some trust fund kid who never worked a day in his life. The kind of guy who defends his jokes with "It's Ok my gardener is Mexican" "I have a black friend" or "my roommate is Polish."

Whether satire or Langlieb's personal feelings about Polish people, the essay was in bad taste and poor judgment. (The genius identifies himself as a NYC employee. I'm guessing his next promotion will be monkey duty at the Central Park Zoo)

His writing is closer to Himmler than Jonathan Swift. What kills me is the elitist attitude I have seen from the writer and his nameless blogger friends. You can almost picture the Thurston Howell wondering out loud how only they can appreciate true satire. Is it satire when you actually write "just kidding." I can almost see them sipping their double mocha grande pumpkin frappa lattes as they IM each other on their Apple Macs. My guess is he grew up in a household where ethnic slurs were commonplace.

With the incredible fallout, I feel compassion for the guy. But he should print an apology rather than hide behind satire and some nameless blogger friends. Some writing advice: Jokes are supposed to be funny.

Archie Bunker calling his son-in law a meathead is funny while it exposes Archie as an ignorant moron. A skinhead telling jokes...err satire about exterminating African Americans..not so funny.

Rather than attack David, maybe the Polish community and neighbors can focus energies on the issue: why anyone would write this piece in the first place. I agree with some of the criticisms that the writing is harsh and at times dubious with respect to its intentions, but hopefully it will get folks thinking about, and planning for, the future of a contested neighborhood in flux.

Open Letter to Mr. David Langlieb

Mr. David Langlieb, you are trying to defend your article entitled "The Black Squirrel's Burden" as a “satire”. Filled with so much ignorance, hatred, racist and selfish remarks against Poles and Greenpoint --- in this case, you cannot even call it a “satire”! [unless of course you’re defending yourself] There’s a defined line between writing a clever, well-crafted satire or simply posting an ignorant text; obviously you have only mastered the latter one.

Posing as a “wanna be writer” while working for the NYC Parks Department (watch out Greenpoint for his “unbiased” transactions) by writing for your Haverford College alumni magazine. In doing so, trying to be sensational to get your name out into the real world at the expense of your neighbors. Calling your poor excuse of anything publishable, least of all a “satire”.

Living just a few months in Greenpoint does not make you the expert and decider to what would make Greenpoint a better place. You have ignored Greenpoint’s history spanning hundreds of years, its residence and its very own culture. Your comments prove that you have no basic understanding, no moral respect, nor any dignity to the human race, while lifting yourself in a “higher than thou” pedestal.

Nor is this the first time that you, Mr. Langlieb wrote an article that was ignorant and immoral. On one occasion your alma mata had asked you to “replace it one that is more productive, one that attempts to address the challenging issues of the modern world.“ as quoted from the letter that appeared in the Haverford-Bryn Mawr College newspaper [ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/766606/posts ]. On another occasion, in the article called “Langlieb Should Resign”, you were asked to resign from one position due to the conflict of interest being on the Board of Managers and the editor of the Bi-Co as it was published in the school’s Bi-College newspaper [ http://www.biconews.com/article/view/567 ] It seems you did not learn much from the past and you are still looking for your “break” to get your attention in very provocative matters, but as you still haven’t figured it out, it is only setting you back.

The bottom line is that, finally, the Haverford College’s president Mr.Thomas Tritton and spokesman Mr. John Van Ness, agreed it was not a “satire” ["The writing was insufficiently clever and the language so ineptly employed that, rather than a work of satire with an arguable point, the end result came through as mean spirited and close minded"] and your infamous article was removed from your school’s website so as to not bring more shame. Additionally, there are highly positioned Polish-American officials, Ivy League professors and students, as well as New York City officials and politicians [Mr. David Yassky (D-Brooklyn)], all think same way; it was not a “satire” but a demeaning article to put down on the ethnic group and its neighborhood. So do you, Mr. Langlieb still want to argue your point, if it was “satire” or not?

It is time now, Mr. David Langlieb, for you to make a moral response and move on.

Open Letter to Mr. David Langlieb

Mr. David Langlieb, you are trying to defend your article entitled "The Black Squirrel's Burden" as a “satire”. Filled with so much ignorance, hatred, racist and selfish remarks against Poles and Greenpoint --- in this case, you cannot even call it a “satire”! [unless of course you’re defending yourself] There’s a defined line between writing a clever, well-crafted satire or simply posting an ignorant text; obviously you have only mastered the latter one.

Posing as a “wanna be writer” while working for the NYC Parks Department (watch out Greenpoint for his “unbiased” transactions) by writing for your Haverford College alumni magazine. In doing so, trying to be sensational to get your name out into the real world at the expense of your neighbors. Calling your poor excuse of anything publishable, least of all a “satire”.

Living just a few months in Greenpoint does not make you the expert and decider to what would make Greenpoint a better place. You have ignored Greenpoint’s history spanning hundreds of years, its residence and its very own culture. Your comments prove that you have no basic understanding, no moral respect, nor any dignity to the human race, while lifting yourself in a “higher than thou” pedestal.

Nor is this the first time that you, Mr. Langlieb wrote an article that was ignorant and immoral. On one occasion your alma mata had asked you to “replace it one that is more productive, one that attempts to address the challenging issues of the modern world.“ as quoted from the letter that appeared in the Haverford-Bryn Mawr College newspaper [ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/766606/posts ]. On another occasion, in the article called “Langlieb Should Resign”, you were asked to resign from one position due to the conflict of interest being on the Board of Managers and the editor of the Bi-Co as it was published in the school’s Bi-College newspaper [ http://www.biconews.com/article/view/567 ] It seems you did not learn much from the past and you are still looking for your “break” to get your attention in very provocative matters, but as you still haven’t figured it out, it is only setting you back.

The bottom line is that, finally, the Haverford College’s president Mr.Thomas Tritton and spokesman Mr. John Van Ness, agreed it was not a “satire” ["The writing was insufficiently clever and the language so ineptly employed that, rather than a work of satire with an arguable point, the end result came through as mean spirited and close minded"] and your infamous article was removed from your school’s website so as to not bring more shame. Additionally, there are highly positioned Polish-American officials, Ivy League professors and students, as well as New York City officials and politicians [Mr. David Yassky (D-Brooklyn)], all think same way; it was not a “satire” but a demeaning article to put down on the ethnic group and its neighborhood. So do you, Mr. Langlieb still want to argue your point, if it was “satire” or not?

It is time now, Mr. David Langlieb, for you to make a moral response and move on.

Cat in an Empty Apartment

By Wislawa Szymborska

Die—you can't do that to a cat.

Since what can a cat do

in an empty apartment?

Climb the walls?

Rub up against the furniture?

Nothing seems different here,

but nothing is the same.

Nothing has been moved,

but there's more space.

And at nighttime no lamps are lit.

Footsteps on the staircase,

but they're new ones.

The hand that puts fish on the saucer

has changed, too.

Something doesn't start

at its usual time.

Something doesn't happen

as it should.

Someone was always, always here,

then suddenly disappeared

and stubbornly stays disappeared.

Every closet has been examined.

Every shelf has been explored.

Excavations under the carpet turned up nothing.

A commandment was even broken,

papers scattered everywhere.

What remains to be done.

Just sleep and wait.

Just wait till he turns up,

just let him show his face.

Will he ever get a lesson

on what not to do to a cat.

Sidle toward him

as if unwilling

and ever so slow

on visibly offended paws,

and no leaps or squeals at least to start.

I agree that it was offensive but there is no point in responding by insulting others. Me,as a Polish, feel really ashamed by the post of some idiot - Slawek alias Souaveck

White man, you so funny!

Your expensive (Haverford tuition costs $33,394 per year & room and board costs $10,390 per year)

education is finally paying off with this

new thing called satire and a magical place called Greenpoint.

Yay for you!

BTW, Yassky must know it's a joke == he's just pretending to be outraged because he's got nothing better to do like work on bring truly affordable housing to Brooklyn.

mihow, you are an idiot, not a "Polak" Only idiot can have a fun when someone is spliting in his face.

I have wrote an email to David langlieb .. since he like jokes, maybe he will like my ones ( I guess he is a jew...)

Dear David

I have read that you like jokes...Unfortunately my jokes are about Poland, but may be also funny. Maybe you will like it.

Have fun :)

- What is the difference between sand and the jew?

- You can not take sand on the muck-rake

-What is the difference between jew and the carbon

- Difference is about few millions kilocalories.

- There is a jangle between two brothers - jews. At one moment one of them is taking a soap and trying to hit his brother.

- STOP!! - Don't deal father into our conflict - sait the brother

- What is the best rock music group for the jews?

- Gas'n' Roses

- What is the best Jewish off-road rally?

- Paris-Dahau

One day Jews ask Hans for new house in a camp because the oldone was too cold, and dirty

- OK, but when I will see some of you in the window - I will shoot right into head. - said Hans

Jews agreed, and in the next day the came into their new house - glass-house

- What is the difference between casualty dog, and casualty jew?

- There is black lines of braking on the road in front of th dog

- What is the difference between carpet and the jew?

- You can not jump in dirt shoes on the carpet.

I hope that you like my jokes.Please - don't be angry - "its just a satire"

Best regards from Poland

Slawek

I’m not sure if I should feel insulted or disgusted. This article is too crude, to be considered a satire, especially since I have read other posts/publications by Mr. David Langlieb. I only wonder what caused an intelligent, young man to write ethnic slurs and then defend it as a joke. If the article was written in a different manner, I might have seen merit to it.

Mr. Langlieb: if you will ever read this comment, please consider substituting “Polish” for any other ethnicity and consider what reaction this might cause.