Three Cheers For New York! Now What?

Bloomberg held the State of the City address out in Flushing yesterday to not only celebrate the diversity of New York, but how it contributes to our well being and overall greatness. He invited immigrants from South Carolina to India to the event (who happen to live on the same street) as an example of how New York is a culture of diversity. I won't disagree with that, it is one of the reasons why I love New York, and detest Los Angeles. Their beaches and weather may be nicer...but that's about it, sorry.

Anyways, Bloomberg used this opportunity to slam the Republican candidates and called on them to open their eyes when it comes to immigration. The hodge podge of New York defies the fear based crap that the GOP likes to use. Especially when we have the lowest crime rate of any big city out there. Unfortunately, people like Mitt and McCain use hate and xenophobia to such an extent that their eyelids and ears have been sown shut, so they didn't hear him from the campaign trail.

Being that it is a new year, the Mayor also laid out what is in store for us in 2008 and all the programs that will/could go into effect. Things like "Virtual 911" will be instituted so you can multimedia message a crime in progress to the police. Sounds too good to be true to me and with the advent of photoshop, I can't wait to see what the NYPD is going to have to shuffle through on the message board. Besides, what happens if you're a victim who happens to be cellibate?

There's plenty more on the laundry list that tries to tackle public safety, poverty, economic development and a more efficient city government despite the oncoming recession and predicted budget deficits. The one bad thing about NYC is that the national market hits hard when it tanks, because Wall Street (despite making ridiculous money in bad times as well as good) will impact the rest of Manhattan and the five boroughs. How much so is to be determined. So I'd like to wish Bloomberg a happy seventh year in office and hopefully he'll get better at being Mayor and maybe even to STFU about running for President...I can dream right?