David Brooks'
op-ed in the New York Times seems to suggest that New York City is some kind of other-worldy realm divorced from mainstream America. Hell, we ought to just ignore those decadent vertial gated community dwellers who like schmear on their bagels.
The gOp has obviously abandoned any hope of NY electoral votes in 2004.
I believe that the 9-11 anniversary (slash) GOP Convention in New York serves a dual purpose:
- to broadcast an image of resident Bush as leading the fight against terror and honoring the memory of the hallowed dead at ground zero, while simultaneously..
- infuriating NYC residents beyond belief and practically inviting them (or rather, anti-Bush demonstrators from around the country) to throw themselves against police lines and provide plenty of nationwide TV footage of "those lunatic fringe anti-american liberals".
Which is why I believe potentially violent NYC rallies opposing Bush
a la Miami/Seattle will backfire in a major way for the Democratic candidate.
It would be much more productive for people to show up, lit candles in hand, for a silent march through the streets of Manhattan. Let every streetcorner in the city glow in silent vigil, in honorable rememberance of those who lost their lives on 9/11, in Afghanistan, in Iraq. Americans and non-Americans alike.
let this be a vigil for peace, for an end to the madness. we cannot fight this madness with more madness.
The heartland, regular Americans watching the silent vigil on ABC and Fox and CNN the evening of September 11 will understand this. They will understand that we are not "crazy New York liberals" living bizzare David Brooks-esque types of lives, decadent and liberal and alien.
We have to win the hearts and minds of our own countrymen. Is the Right Wing finally reduced to this - to turning American against American?
Shame on you, Mr. Brooks. And shame on you, New York Times, for publishing this drivel. We will prove you wrong. We're tired of being divided.