by Daniel Meltzer & Stanley Rogouski
January
28, 2006, worldcantwait.org
Hizzoner Bloomberg and Cop Commish Kelly are denying World
Can’t Wait ( Drive Out the Bush Regime a permit to rally in Times Square, which
is only the acknowledged center of the entire Universe, and WCW plans to
protest George W. Bush’s State of the Union Speech on Tuesday, January 31 from
8:00 to 9:30 pm; an hour and a half
when theatre-goers are already in their seats and the traffic has returned to
what passes for normal on the island of Manhattan.
Telling demonstrators they can’t demonstrate here has become
a mantra for the Triumvirate of George, “Mike” and “Ray”
Kelly.
On February 15th,
2003, more than a million outraged people filled the streets of London
and Rome, half a mill. in San
Francisco; protests erupted all over the planet
against the invasion of Iraq
that everyone (with the exception of WashingtonNew York
was the only major city in the US
that denied marchers a permit.
politicians) knew was coming.
During the week of the Republican National Convention here,
the heart of ManhattanGotham who know a
phony when they see one and can smell the stench of anti-gay, pro-war politicos
and their legions a mile away. Some 2000 non-violent protesters were arrested
and never charged, just conveniently taken off the streets and out of the way
of the righteous interlopers. was
militarized to protect the gathered right wing extremists and GOP theocrats
against the street-wise citizens of Gotham who know a phony when they see
one and can smell the stench of anti-gay, pro-war politicos and their legions a
mile away. Some 2000 non-violent protesters were arrested and never charged,
just conveniently taken off the streets and out of the way of the righteous
interlopers.
“Mike” and “Ray” have been making a
habit for years of leaning on law abiding New Yorkers for doing nothing more
threatening than riding their bikes. Last fall, Gold Star American Mom Cindy
Sheehan’s speech at Union Square
(Where American Protesting was practically BORN, fer Chrissakes) was halted by
the NYPD. Not even the sheriff of Crawford, Texas
would stoop that low.
It’s clear that “Mike and Ray” are not acting in
the interests of the people of New York but are looking out for that traveling
snake-oil show, “The Bush Boys and Condi,” singing their long-running
hit; “Trust Us.”
New Yorkers traditionally vote 70% Democratic or higher. The
city has the largest gay and lesbian population in the United
States. It’s the antithesis of everything
that Bush stands for and it’s clear that his Man in Manhattan,
Mike Bloomberg, doesn’t want us “disrupting” the great tourist
dollar-sucker of Times Square to have our voices heard.
(Only about a million people gathered there New Year’s Eve without major
incident. Jeesh!)
While Bush’s State of the Union Speech will be an elaborate
production produced and directed by (the as yet unindicted) Karl Rove, Mayor
Mike wants to hustle World Can’t Wait into a dark alley behind the old peep
shows and x-rated theaters 2 blocks south and out of the bright lights the
gazillion gigawatt jumbotrons at 44th and Broadway. Traffic
congestion? Gimme a break! Major
sections of Manhattan were closed
to traffic for a week; massive traffic disruptions and congestion ensued for
hours on end during the RNC. We were asked to be respectful of our
“guests.” Somebody open a window.
The World Can’t Wait rally will last ninety minutes(after
the rush hour and during show time. Cabbies will be chowing down on their meat
loaf supper at diners over on Eleventh Avenue.
Are Mike and Ray truly afraid that a horde of Huns will descend on the theatre
district next Tuesday evening, drown out W’s message and dishonor the
recruiting booth?
The Second Avenue Deli may have been shut down, but no
matter how they slice it, New Yorkers still know baloney when we smell it.
As G.W. Bush said two days ago, “We’re living in
historic times, and we have a chance to make decisions today that will help
shape the direction of events for years to come.”
Well, he got that one right, all right. And if WE don’t get
it right when the time IS right, then the Bush Regime will continue to blunder
and bludgeon its way across the country and around the globe, and “emerge
(even) stronger.” Take a little Alito, throw in the unitary executive, add
some torture and stir in a few hurricanes and another war or two, and then set
the table for the “will of the people.”
Call it Texas Barbecue if you like. It’s still baloney in
Bensonhurst!
Waiter, would you please clear this table and throw those
bums out o’ the place?