An MTA Tale

If there's one recurring rant I have on this blog, it's my displeasure with our city's transit system. It's a nightmare. More than that, it's a joke. Here we are, the greatest and most amazing city on earth, and yet getting around this town is exhausting -- and expensive. The MTA is an incompetent disaster, and it's always raising fares and cutting services because they keep saying they have no money and that the system is old, and yada yada yada, that's why buses and trains in this city such. But then, every so often, we learn that the MTA is hiding money and keeping two sets of books and engaging in all sorts of financial chicanery and that they really aren't quite as broke as they claim to be. The MTA is truly a weird, strange, mysterious organzation.

And for a system that's always supposedly broke, they're always doing track work that causes all sorts of service changes. They did a whole bunch this weekend and it was drove everyone crazy.

Let me tell you what happened to me last Thursday. I got on the N train downtown on my way home from work. Usually takes me straight home to Astoria. But not this time. At 42nd street we get kicked off -- train out of service because the signals on the express lane have failed.

We wait 10 minutes for a W train on the local track. When it arrives, we're told that the signals have also failed at Queensboro Plaza -- and that we'll have to take the 7 train to Queensboro, then transfer to the N/W there.

So w we take the 7 train -- which takes forever and is totally packed because it's carrying all this excess capacity -- and, at Queensboro Plaza, we're kicked off the train again! We're told that the signals have failed at Astoria Boulevard too!

So there I am, with over a mile seperating me from my home, and there are no cabs, the buses are jammed and running sporadically, and I have no choice but to walk all the way home.

All. The. Way. Home.

It was awful. Excrutiating. And on top of that, I had to go shopping before I could get home, so by the time I got home I was totally exhaustied, very dirty from having to walk so much, and really angry that a 45-minute trip took twice as long. But considering what a joke the MTA is, I'm suprised this doesn't happen every day.

So my message to the MTA: clean up your act! There should never be any signal failures or things like that. You move around the greatest city in the world -- be worthy of your mission and stop being a joke.

Comedy Central

The great thing about NYC is that it's always been a magnet for creativity. People aspiring to careers in the arts have always come here to starve in service of developing their talents. Until they became enclaves for the super-wealthy, the East Village and Soho were where painters and artists lived and worked. Nowadays they mostly live in Williamsburg and less expensive parts of Brooklyn. Actors and those interested in theater have, unsurprisingly, gathered to live in Hell's Kitchen, and in and around the theater district.

But a new artistic "ecosystem" is developing in New York, one for comedians. And it's happening where you might not expect it: Astoria, Queens. Comedians are flocking there in their dozens and developing a community and support groups and a whole comedy world there. Astoria is now the city's funniest neighborhood, our own comedy central.

Astoria is not known for its great comedy clubs or really for anything that would make it a great comedy haven. Also, as this article points out, there's nothing particularly funny or "wacky" about Astoria -- it's a real working class, square 'hood. But then again, this makes it all the more ironic -- and isn't irony what comedy is all about?

Introducing the All New WQXR!

A quiet revolution in NYC music radio took place this week: the almost eighty-year old station WQXR vanished from its place at 96.3 on the FM dial and reappeared at 105.9.

This up-dial change was due to the sale of WQXR from The New York Times Company to the public radio empire of WNYC earlier this year (I blogged about it at the time). Although WQXR retains its call letters, it is no longer a commercial station operating in the service of the Grey Lady. Instead, it is the 24/7 classical music subsidiary of public radio -- so that means no commercials! Just lots and lots and lots of music. And since the economic pressures have been alleviated from it, this move assures that classical music and the rich culture of music radio in NYC will continue indefinitely.

In recognition of this fact, I have updated WQXR's info and place on the right-hand side panel.

The only somewhat sad thing about this change is that the quality of the signal at that end of the dial is a bit weak. 96.3 was a piece of prime radio real estate and WQXR's residency at it was central to its identity. Now that's over. It remains but in a different form and at a different place -- so it's not the same station really. I remember that my dad use to listen this station all the time ... so this is just one more thing that makes Mr NYC feel old.

P.S. In case you were wondering, the following pictures are: an old-fashioned radio microphone, a conductor's baton, and a picture of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Somehow including them here felt appropriate.

Mr NYC is Here ... Just Busy

Sometimes life gets busy, for reasons both good and bad. Recently life hasn't been either good or bad -- just lots and lots of stuff that yours truly has needed to attend to. Ergo, I have not had much time to devote to this time corner of cyberspace but, never fear, I am doing my best and plan to start blogging more regularly. Thanks for your patience.

Mister Magic RIP

Back when rap music was still an underground phenomenon, an NYC DJ named Mister Magic hosted the first all-rap radio show on Hot 97. He was truly ahead of his time and helped launch rap and hip hop into the mainstream.

Mr Magic died a few days ago. This great story from WNYC looks at this impact.

Guns in NYC

Mr NYC gives Mayor Bloomberg his fair share of grief -- most of which he so "richly" deserves -- but one area where he's shown brave leadership and which I applaud him for is his aggressive fight against illegal guns.

Gun control is one of those "hot button" issues that gets people all angry and furthers the cultural divide in this country. And the Second Amendment of the Constitution clearly gives Americans the right to own guns. But I don't think anyone, including the Founding Fathers, thinks that criminals and psychopaths or children should get their hands on gun. And I'm sure they'd approve of things like background checks and disapprove of gun dealers who sell their products illegally.

That's basically what Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns is all about. They don't want to write new laws or prevent honest Americans from owning guns -- they just want current gun laws enforced and guns kept out of the hands of bad guys. Yet the NRA and the gun nuts of America are fighting him tooth and nail. They've done everything they can to thwart Bloomberg and those who believe in sensible gun laws that saves the lives of cops and civilians. Needless to say, the NRA totally runs Congress and enforcement of gun laws is pathetic. Fortunately Bloomberg et al are fighting them and having some success.

Too whit: today a new city report shows that gun dealers are indeed still selling guns illegal. City officials went undercover and recorded these sales. It's damning report and the video (which I've having trouble loading but you can view it here) is damning. It just goes to show that gun dealers in this country is out of control -- and that illegal guns still can trickle into NYC and threaten our citizens. Hopefully, one day, this will stop.

Don't give up the fight Mike!

Review: "God of Carnage"

Recently I saw the hit Broadway play God of Carnage by French playwright Yasmina Reza, starring Hope Davis, Jeff Daniels, Marica Gay Harden, and James Gandolfini. Davis/Daniels and Harden/Gandolfini play married couples brought together after the son of one couple has wacked two teeth out of the son of the other in a school yard fight. Set in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, the action takes place over 90 uninterrupted minutes in the living room of Harden and Gandolfini's home as the couple try to resolve the issue -- and it goes wayyyyyy down hill from there.

There's no real story in this play. It's all character and incident and action and reaction. A true comedy of errors. There's lots of one liners, gags, and bizarre situations that fuels the drama to its strange conclusion. The play starts with the couple being agreeable and polite to each other but then misunderstandings and old resentments and problems in both marriages surface and everything devolves into chaos. The point of the play is that no matter how civilized we human beings try to be, no matter the institutions we create, no matter if we marry or have children, we are all, at the end of the days, selfish animals driven by primordial instincts. We all worship at the alter of a god of carnage, praying to our own savage needs.

With its high profile cast and multiple awards, God of Carnage has received lots of attention and critical praise. I've probably never known so much about a show before seeing it. It was a lot of fun and I liked it a lot and performances are, as to be expected, amazing. Daniels is pitch-perfect as an insufferable Yuppie lawyer, Hope Davis is tragic as his miserable wife (who projectile vomits during the show), and Jame Gandolfini is hilarious as the husband of the kid who got beaten up and finds his world spinning out of control. But the real scene stealer is Marcia Gay Harden (who won a Tony for her performance) as Gandolfini's wife who is trying to hold the situation together -- and failing miserably. Yasmina Reza's creates wonderfully dimensional characters and the fast-pacing action makes for a big emotional roller coaster. If you want a theater experience that's really an experience, see God of Carnage.

"Lie back, get comfortable ..."

Bella Abzug: Now More Than Ever

"I've been described as a tough and noisy woman, a prize fighter, a man-hater, you name it. They call me Battling Bella, Mother Courage, and a Jewish mother with more complaints than Portnoy."

There once was a short, tough, mouthy old Jewish broad who wore funny hats. And she was one of the greatest New Yorkers who ever lived.

Her name was Bella Abzug (1920-1998), and she was way ahead of her time. She served in the New York State legislature in the 1960s and the US House of Representatives in the 1970s, when very few women did. Long before it was fashionable or safe to do so, she was an outspoken supporter of human rights, women's rights, gay rights, and the state of Isreal. As a young lawyer in the early 1950s -- think about it, a young female lawyer in the conservative, patriarchial 1950s -- she fought against the viscious witch-hunting of Joe McCarthy and the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. She opposed the Vietnam War before it became popular to do so. She was against the nuclear arms race. And on top of all that, she was married for 44 years and raised two successful daughters.

Long before Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, Bella took on the Establishment. She ran for Senate 1976 and for Mayor in 1977 and damn near won both races. Always outspoken, never shrinking from a fight, she was colorful, strong, and fearless. She fought the good fight -- sometimes winning, sometimes losing -- but never giving up. She made women proud and sexist men shake with fear. She was the best.

Looking at our so-called leaders today, I can't think of anyone -- male, female, or other -- who can hold a candle to her. There isn't one politician in New York City today who comes close to her level. Today's politicians are all so dry and poll-tested and boring. They play it safe.

But Bella didn't. History isn't made and things aren't changed by playing it safe. And Bella never did.

Bella Abzug was everything that makes New York City and America great. She died more than ten years ago but she was and will always be one of the greatest New Yorkers.

P.S. In Woody Allen's great movie Manhattan, Bella makes a short cameo as herself when she makes a short speech about the Equal Rights Amendment. A great movie with a great lady.

Bloomberg Tied to the Mob!

Today's New York Times has a story about how the mafia has corrupted the city's Department of Buildings. Members of the Luchese crime family got jobs as building inspectors and, as the indictments indicate, there was a vast array of bribes, overlooked violations, false safety reports, siphoning of public funds, just vile stuff. This has been going on for years!

Remember those crane collapses which resulted in several deaths? That was due to false safety reports and bumbling by the DOB. Apparently the Bloomberg Department of Buildings is a cesspool of corruption.

However, what's most amazing about this is that Mayor Bloomberg has not been questioned or grilled by the press about any of this. The press has been totally docile and quiet. For some reason, Teflon Mike has avoided scrutiny or any fallout from this scandal. It's only coming out now because the Manhattan DA handed down indictments (thanks to Bob Morganthau, at least we still have one honest broker in this town. You'll be missed!)

But I'm wondering something: after all the big crane collapses last year, did the press do any in-depth investigative reports about the problems at DOB -- and what caused people to die? Did they try to hold the mayor accountable for what happened on his watch?

No!

The press can't hold him accountable even when a major scandal hits.

This was the headline of the story today: "Mob Infiltration Is Seen in New York City Agency." What a disgraceful use of the passive voice! Who was editing this story? Mob infiltration "is seen"? Is seen? What kind of sloppy, badly written headline is this? This is supposed to be The New York Times for cryin' out loud!

Now if the press wasn't trying to protect the Bloomberg administration and guarentee his re-election, I'm sure the headline for this story would be very different.

Certainly this story would be big news and treated much more sensationally if we had a Democratic mayor. For example, if we had a Democrat as mayor, let's call him Mayor D, all of the newspaper around town would scream today "Mayor D Tied to the Mob!" And there'd be story after story asking what the mayor knew and when did he know it, why didn't he try to stop it, why did he let a major government department in this town put New Yorkers' lives in danger, and on and on and on. If this was happening under a Democratic Mayor who wasn't worth billions of dollars, believe me, the press would be all over this asking questions. It'd be cheap suit time. This would be a full blown scandal! Which it is!

But it's not.

Mayor Mike escapes any and all culpability. This story mentions the Bloomberg administration once ... and it doesn't mention the mayor by name. Clearly, as far as the press is concerned, Teflon Mike couldn't have anything to do with this sordidness. He's too honest, too principled, too good a Mayor.

And maybe he's not corrupt. Maybe he's just a detached mayor who doesn't know what's going on at his own DOB. Hmmmm ... maybe Mayor Mike isn't quite as competent as everyone thinks he is? Maybe he shouldn't get a third term. Oh wait, of course he should. After all, he's rich!

I'll give the Times some credit: they at least reported this story. The Daily News and the Post, from what I can see on their websites today, have ignored it completely. Hopefully they will cover it soon and ask Bloomberg tough questions about it but I won't hold my breath.

This is just a perfect example of press hypocrisy in this town -- and how it goes out of its way to protect the powerful, wealthy, connected, and Republican. The New York City press went into hysterics over the City Council "slush fund" story, they covered Eliot Spitzer's hooker problem like it was Watergate, the flailed away at ACORN -- basically, any time a Democrat or progressive person or group anywhere puts a foot wrong, it becomes blaring front page news, a "scandal", an "outrage", yada, yada, yada.

But a major department in an administration run by a wealthy Republican is infiltrated by the mob and possibly results in multiple deaths and the press ... doesn't consider it a major story ... doesn't have the time to cover it ... it just doesn't rate as important. Just shrugs its collective shoulders and ... moves on.

So what's the point of really caring?

It's not like my little blog post is going to change anything. The poor stay poor and the rich get rich. But actually it's deeper than that: the rich continue to consolidate their power and face no consequences and the rest of us continue to be punished (and sometimes even killed) for not being rich. And I'm sure that in the minds of Bloomberg and his cronies and most of the press, that's just fine and how it should be and serves us right.