Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Today, I am genuinely saddened by the resignation of Governor Eliot Spitzer. Among us, in this nation of saints, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. A man is never as good as his best acts and never as bad as his worst acts. Eliot Spitzer ran for governor as a principled leader who stood for high ethics and morals. Depending on your position, Spitzer was either a Satan or Savior. No doubt many on wall street revel in his woes. Through violation of his own impossibly high standards, he single-handedly destroyed himself. Eliot Spitzer not only made powerful enemies but my belief is that his conduct also made him expendable by his own party. On closer examination, even so called allies were not aligned with his success.

The “Sheriff” of Wall Street did not necessarily need to demonize one of the critical and vital engines of our economy, local and national, in the manner that he did, especially on the heals of 9/11. Spitzer could have taken on the powerful in a different manner. My approach to dealing with the guardians of Wall Street would have been different. In the words of Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas in the movie Wall Street, “Greed is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit…….”

From the corridors of Wall Street to K Street and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., yes Hollywood, greed, corruption and cronyism are a fact of life in America. It is the essence of capitalism. In boom times, the little pigs try to eat more. The pendulum swings back eventually, as it must. Eliot Spitzer did not see it that way and would not accept business as usual on Wall Street. Ironic that his demise as our economy and the financial industry is experiencing a historic meltdown.

Eliot Spitzer’s long term relationship with a high end escort service was immoral, by most standards, but even more so it was especially foolish and ill conceived given (a) that he had many enemies looking for a reason to remove him from power (b) the level of government surveillance in a post 9/11 world and (c) his experience in law enforcement and understanding of evidentiary trails. Good men are imperfect. Great men are highly imperfect. Since the dawn of time, the evil that men do, the sins of man has been well documented. The lust, desire, base and beast like sexuality of man has been written about endlessly and pontificated about regularly. What men can do, they will do if they can get away with it. As Chris Rock has stated, “A man is only as loyal as his options.”

Powerful men with great leadership qualities and drives to succeed often have higher levels of testosterone and thus greater sex drives. The expectations and isolation of public life makes men behave in strange ways. All of us have skeletons in our closet, thoughts and experiences which if came to public light would cause us shame, men especially. I know I do. It is the nature of who we are. I am surely no better a man than Eliot Spitzer.

A few years ago, with a female friend I watched the movie “In the Company of Men” See: IMdb) . My friend was literally aghast by the conduct of the protagonist, played by Aaron Eckhart of “Thank You For Smoking” fame. As I told her then, in the words of Jack Nicholson in “A Few Good Men”, [ladies], “You can’t handle the truth.” It is who we are.

One has to wonder about the timing of this disclosure, who benefits and why. As one who has spent a fair amount of time in the company of publicists and news junkies, I can appreciate that stories emerge for a reason at a particular time. Perhaps journalist Greg Palast is right and there is a link between the charges against Eliot Spitzer and the $200 billion bail-out for predator banks.

Consider the current political landscape. Spitzer’s continuing presence was more than an inconvenience to powerful entrenched interests. Governor Spitzer, if successful meaning he served two full terms or more, stood in the way of the ultimate political goals of folks tied to Hillary Clinton: Senator Chuck Schumer & Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as well as Hillary herself. Spitzer’s rise and popularity posed a threat to those in his own party in his home state. Whether you are for or against Hillary Clinton, it is easy to understand that if Hillary loses the Democratic Nomination, which seems likely, she will need a stronger platform to consolidate her power. Hence her two pronged approach which is to simultaneously undermine the future Democratic Nominee, Senator Barack Obama while inadvertently supporting John McCain hoping that if she loses the nomination, McCain becomes President. She can then challenge McCain from a stronger position. If Obama loses, Hillary can run on the “I told you so” Campaign in 2012 and have one last chance at the nomination.

Hillary Clinton is currently the “junior” Senator from New York. Junior Senators do not become majority leaders in the Senate. Hillary Clinton can only become Senator Majority Leader if Senator Chuck Schumer has some where else to go. Governor Schumer in 2010? Senator or Governor Cuomo 2010? The chess game of politics…it exists and if you study the Clinton Legacy and the scandals, you realize that it is a MYTH that anything happens by accident. Everything happens for a reason. With all due respect to current Lt. Governor David Patterson, unless he is the second coming, he will be challenged in his own party or be graciously forced to step aside. Go ahead, tell me I am crazy but let’s see if you can say that in 2010.

Say all you want about Spitzer, but the man had to resign for engaging in private consensual sexual relations with a high end escort known as Kristen (Ashley DiPietro born Ashley Youmans and conducted escort business under the name of Ashley Alexandra Dupre) See photos on Gawker, NY Post, The NY Times, L.A. Times and US Magazine: Early Modeling Photos ). Regardless of one’s morality, one of the more honest transactions is that between a professional woman providing sexual services for pay and a client individual looking to pay for such services. The only relative exploitation is perhaps the middle man, the broker and what cut such individuals are taking for the transaction and whether the brokerage fee is a fair one. I mean, let’s be honest, capitalism makes us all pimps and ho’s. You are either the pimp or the ho in this life and sometimes both. But, as Heidi Fleiss stated, “You can’t vigorously pursue prosecuting these prostitution rings—I mean, this guy made a point of it—and then do this.” Truth be told, the organizations that Spitzer closed down were Sex Slave Rings. This is a far cry from purchasing the services of a $1000 an hour CONSENTING ADULT sex worker. As aptly stated by a rather outspoken female friend of mine who spent time working in the adult entertainment industry:

“One thing about the hypocrisy that everyone is accusing him of—high end escorts are not anything like the victims of human trafficking involving prostitution. To compare a Chinese woman who owes a Chinese snake head $25k to be paid off in a brothel/massage parlor or her kids in China get killed to a suburban NJ girl with a wild streak who makes a couple thousand a pop—-WHAT THE FUCK? Working at McDonald’s and waiting tables at the Rainbow room—they are both in the food service industry—A Chinese human traffic victim and Ashley Alexander Dupre—why not say that they both breathe air?”

One does wonder, however, how could Eliot Spitzer not realize that if his Secret Life of Walter Mitty were to be exposed, it would result in few, if any, powerful New York politicians rallying to his support? Instead they would privately cheer his demise. Established interests are more comfortable with Schumer and Clinton, pseudo reformers who play the game well, rather than Spitzer who made many enemies, had few truly powerful allies and who was clearly perceived as threat.

Contrast Spitzer’s activity with that of Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton has had a long and sustained history of womanizing, sexual abuse, harassment and perhaps even RAPE and he did not resign the Presidency. He was impeached, lost his law license and spent the last days of his presidency selling pardons and setting up a “philanthropic” vehicle, The Clinton Global Initiative, that has made Bill and Hillary wealthy. In fact, his conspirator, defender and protector, Hillary Clinton, is now a candidate for the Democratic Nomination.

I would have more respect for Bill and Hillary, if Bill Clinton had retained the services of a call girl or professional escort service (see: Prostitution: A User’s Manual) rather than habitually engaging in sexually predatory behavior against private citizens during his tenure as Attorney General and Governor of Arkansas and then as President in The Whitehouse. If Eliot Spitzer had to resign, Hillary Clinton should not even be a Senator, much less a contender for the Democratic Nomination. There is a double standard when it comes to the Clinton’s and everyone else.

This New Yorker will always wonder what might have been. Eliot Spitzer is wise for resigning in shame rather than lingering on and testing the will and patience of the American people, like the Clinton’s continue to do. Despite his personal demons and the veil of secrecy surrounding his personal sexual life, Spitzer is not as sociopathic as the Clinton’s who repeatedly defy logic by battling to remain relevant. They have well overstayed their welcome. So, to those New Yorkers who celebrate Spitzer’s resignation, I say have some consideration for the impact that this scandal will have on this man and his family. Personally, the unfulfilled promise of Eliot Spitzer is what I will miss most. He obviously did not have enough powerful friends.

Pack it up, pack it in
Let me begin
I came to win
Battle me that’s a sin
I won’t tear the sack up
Punk you’d better back up
Try and play the role and the whole crew will act up
Get up, stand up, come on!
Come on, throw your hands up
If you’ve got the feeling jump across the ceiling
Muggs is a funk fest, someone’s talking junk
Yo, I’ll bust em in the eye
And then I’ll take the punks home
Feel it, funk it
Amps it are junking
And I got more rhymes than there’s cops that are dunking
Donuts shop
Sure ’nuff I got props from the kids on the Hill
Plus my mom and my pops

I came to get down
So get out your seats and jump around
Jump around
Jump up Jump up and get down.
Jump
I’ll serve your ass like John MacEnroe
If your girl steps up, I’m smacking the ho
Word to your moms I came to drop bombs
I got more rhymes than the bible’s got psalms
And just like the Prodigal Son I’ve returned
Anyone stepping to me you’ll get burned
Cause I got lyrics and you ain’t got none
So if you come to battle bring a shotgun
But if you do you’re a fool, cause I duel to the death
Try and step to me you’ll take your last breath
I gots the skill, come get your fill
Cause when I shoot ta give, I shoot to kill
-House of Pain, 1992

Racism
Pack it up, Pack it in Hillary. You and your campaign have engaged in a unprecedented level of fraud, manipulation and deceit. Through the old politics of gender and race baiting you have appealed to our worst instincts as a people. You have attempted to divide up the electorate and turn us against each other (white vs. black vs. latino, women vs. men, educated vs. uneducated, blue collar vs. white collar) for the greater good of your personal ambition. Appropriately, it has cost you the vote of virtually the entire black community. Not a concern perhaps because Latino voters are a larger voting block anyway, right? The style of your campaign would have made Jessie Helms proud. It is, however, certainly not one worthy of a New York Senator. Then again you are merely a carpet-bagger with no real sense of the character and lineage of New York Senators like Daniel Patrick Moynihan, RFK, Robert F. Wagner and Jacob Javits. The character and integrity of these men is legendary. Your candidacy on the other hand brings shame on our great state. Maybe that explains why Elizabeth B. Moynihan, the widow of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, backs Obama, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of JFK, longs for a President like her father and why even Republican Susan Eisenhower, the grand daughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, supports Obama.

Faux Feminism
As a faux feminist you have mastered the politics of victimization. Perhaps you can cry your way back to the Whitehouse. Tears for fears, false flag misogyny and sounding the alarm bells for misogyny may rouse the spirit and rally what remains of your base, women over 65, but it has alienated the rest of us. Surely, it is an appeal, by design, to woo women on the left side of the bell curve. The more enlightened, progressive and independent women have and will continue to abandon your campaign. The feminist case against your candidacy is very real, substantial and growing. Anti-Hillary Sentiment [Is] on the Rise Among Leading Feminists.

The National Organization of Women is Embarrasing Itself Now. N.O.W., Gloria Steinem, Susan Faludi, Erica Jong and the old guard of feminism have endorsed your campaign even while more modern, independent and evolved women are turning away from you en masse. Some would argue that N.O.W. ceased to remain a morally credible force when the organization in essence became an instrumentality of the Clinton Administration during the 1990’s. N.O.W. chose to provide cover for Bill Clinton despite overwhelming evidence of a long history of predatory sexual behavior, including sexual harassment and rape, going back to his days at Yale Law School, Attorney General of Arkansas and then as Governor of Arkansas. N.O.W. did so despite this evidence perhaps with an eye towards protecting your political viability and preserving your senatorial and presidential ambitions. N.O.W. morally compromised itself as an organization that speaks for powerless women, through their over the top blinding support of your candidacy, Hillary and N.O.W. cemented its irrelevance by launching an assault in an attempt to malign, slander and defame Senator Barack Obama. N.O.W. did so despite Senator Obama’s long pro-choice record and having been a friend to women and supporter of feminist issues. That was enough to motivate former President of Chicago NOW, Lorna Brett Howard to switch her support from Hillary Clinton to OBAMA.

Exploiting Latinos
In terms of the Latino vote, your campaign literally sets the blood boiling. You have gone after the Latino vote in The Most Shameful, Low Down Dirty Way Possible. Misleading low income, lesser educated latinos is hardly the most inspirational kind of politics. (see: Hillary’s Plan For Latino Votes In Texas: Exploit Little Mexican Boy). As writer Nick Tosches put this on his MySpace blog:

“‘I will work my heart out for you every single day!’ These are the incredible words of Hillary Clinton, who arranges for a cute little Mexican boy in a sombrero to bring her flowers onstage in Texas. What a pitiful and despicable show.

If you ever see a Latino near her multimillion-dollar house in Chappaqua, New York, he’ll likely be on his knees in the dirt with a gardening trowel.

You are to her a vote, nothing more. It is not you who matters to her. It is your gullibility that matters to her. Her goal is not to serve you. Her goal is to con you and use you to become president, and that is all. You are to her expendable, a mere means to an end that does not involve you or your concerns or your welfare.

It is becoming apparent that, as they become increasingly exposed to her, working-men, women, and Latinos are growing less receptive to her condescending and fatuous lies. No one with any self-respect or desire to get a better shake in this life should fall for her jive. …”

Election Fraud: Stealing NY
Pack it in Hillary. You cannot thwart the will of the American people. You would lose a popularity contest to Richard Milhous Nixon. Your spin machine has been spun dry. How can you claim to be the best choice to represent the American people? Voters all over this land have rejected you in a clear and convincing and profound manner, yet you refuse to accept the legitimacy of the results in states that you do not win? As Robert Guttman has accurately pointed out, leaders of the Democratic Party seem to have a double standard when it comes to the Clintons. If Obama had lost the last 11 contests, calls would have gone out for him to withdraw, back the likely Democratic nominee and unify the party.

What is, however, most disturbing is your unwillingness to even try to win your “home state” cleanly. Obama was robbed in New York. Unofficial tallies in New York City understated the Obama vote. “If you want to call it significant undercounting, I guess that’s a euphemism for fraud,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg referencing a strong belief based upon the preliminary evidence that fraud was behind the low Obama vote in New York. Citizens Union has called for an investigation into NY Primary Results.

Too many precincts in New York registered zero votes for one of the most popular presidential candidates in the history of the Democratic Party, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, an outsider, against our local New York Senator Hillary Clinton. The Brooklyn Paper has questioned whether Clinton really shut out Obama in some districts. Perhaps many local leaders who happen to be surrogates of your campaign promised to deliver their districts and were unable to do so without tampering with the vote? The Harlem Mystery is Did Rangel’s District Go for Barack Obama? This is unacceptable in a free society. If the Clinton Machine has fingerprints on voter fraud, than you and your cohorts should be indicted for election fraud, you should lose the nomination and be forced to resign your senate seat.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: NOT THIS WOMAN. NOT NOW. NOT EVER.

The character of the man matters. This is why today we endorse Senator Barack Obama of Illinois to be the next President of the United States of America. As a New Yorker, while my first inclination would normally be to support a native son or daughter, in the present case I am unable to do so for three reasons: (i) the superior character, integrity and qualifications of Senator Barack Obama, (ii) the questionable character of Hillary Clinton and the nature of the campaign being waged by the Clintons and their operatives against Senator Barack Obama, and (iii) the most credible and legitimate New York candidates, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Mayor Mike Bloomberg have not yet engaged the electorate in a meaningful way. Should either of them do so in the future and if Hillary Clinton becomes the nominee of the Democratic Party, we will consider a further endorsement at that time.

At this time, ManhattanSociety.com chooses hope over fear. We choose honor, integrity, and sincerity over the shape shifting politics of division. We live in cynical world, one in which it is often difficult to trust and believe in the politicians who seek our support each election cycle. Far too many of our fellow citizens feel that their vote does not matter, that the candidate we choose will not make a difference. The legacy, rhetoric and promise of the candidate often do not match the reality of governance. We believe that Senator Barack Obama presents a historic opportunity for the people of America that we must not allow to pass. To bypass such an opportunity to nominate and elect a divisive partisan machine politician in the form of Hillary Clinton would be a tremendous loss for this country.

As the media and financial capital of the world, New York has served as an ideal platform for Hillary Clinton to pursue her Presidential ambitions. Hillary Clinton’s time in New York has been marked not by serving and connecting with New Yorkers and issues central to New Yorkers but rather in angling and fundraising for a Presidential run. During this time Clinton has taken the time to hone relationships with the mainstream media and had unparalleled access to capital in the corridors of wealth, power and prestige of Fifth Avenue, Park Avenue, Central Park South, Central Park West, the Hamptons and beyond, raising money from the same folks who supported W BUSH in 2000. Senator Barack Obama’s appeal transcends party, personal politics, socioeconomic background and gender. That it took a Black Senator from the South Side of Chicago to campaign in Washington Square Park, while our local Senator has largely remained guarded behind closed doors, unavailable and inaccessible except to the elite in New York City in itself says a lot about the respective character of the individuals.

President Clinton has spent the last 7 years partying without her and fundraising. Patrick Healy wrote in the New York Times over a year ago:

Mr. Clinton is rarely without company in public, yet the company he keeps rarely includes his wife. Nights out find him zipping around Los Angeles with his bachelor buddy, Ronald W. Burkle, or hitting parties and fund-raisers in Manhattan.

The Philanthropic vehicle that President Clinton set up in his final days in office, the
Clinton Global Initiative has utilized its donor base to support Hillary’s run. See: “In Charity and Politics, Clinton Donors Overlap.”

In 1992, while living in Boston, I volunteered on the Clinton/Gore Campaign. Going door to door in New Hampshire I learned about the retail side of politics. While it seemed like the right thing to do at the time, upon reflection, over the course of the two Clinton administrations I came to realize that like many Americans, I drank the Clinton Kool-Aid. I discounted a great deal of factual information that was in the public domain about the Clintons. The rubric that the Clintons used to discount many inconvenient truths was that they were victims of a “right wing conspiracy” and that those who stepped forward with personal accounts were all about marketing “trash for cash.” When the truth became overwhelming I chose to believe the fallback position that it was the character of the policy that mattered more than the character of the man. It mattered not that the lying was so pervasive. As David Geffen, the left-wing media mogul and former Clinton confidante, told New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd that “Everybody in politics lies, but [the Clintons] do it with such ease, it’s troubling.” I overlooked the well accepted rumor that the Clinton marriage is a sham, a political power sharing arrangement designed to contravene the 22nd Amendment. The Clinton machine currently controls the Democratic Party apparatus making it an instrumentality which inures mostly to the benefit of the Clinton’s ambitions. A complete rejection and defeat of the Clinton’s will be necessary to cleanse the party of its dinosaurs.

Today a random Google Search (recommended search terms: Clinton Cocaine| Smuggling|Mena Arkansas |Webster Hubbell |Vince Foster| Murder Suicide |Bimbo Eruptions |Bush Connection or more recently Peter Paul |Stan Lee) will lead anyone interested in learning the truth about the Clinton legacy and their rise to power to draw their own conclusions.

At this time in America there is something happening that transcends the politics of old. The desire to turn the page on the Clinton Bush years, while a consideration, is not the primary reason for our endorsement of OBAMA. Furthermore, while we believe that electing a woman or black man President do in and of themselves provide historic opportunities, our support of Senator Barack Obama has to do with the character of the man and not the color of his skin. For these reasons and many others we call upon our friends and fellow Americans to support Senator Barack Obama. We call upon those of wealth, power and influence, in the private and public sector, whom may be waiting for a more perfect or appropriate time to provide an endorsement, the value of doing so is now. Never underestimate the “Urgency of Now.” OBAMA 2008.

Christopher London
Editor & Founder, ManhattanSociety.com

Amateur Night is what many refer to the partying mindset on New Years Eve. Playing into this insecurity of the populace is every club owner and promoters who guarantee you the best night of your life. So you will forgive me if despite their best efforts, I do not buy into the notion that my dreams will be fulfilled “partying like a rocktstar” with Paris, Nicole, DJ AM, Linday Lohan or what ever other celebutante is hosting your special party. Let’s be honest about what this really means. Said celeb arrives and is either photographed in front of a billboard with your logo on it (commonly referred to as a step and repeat) or is photographed briefly partying in the “V.I.P.” section of said establishment long enough to collect their 5 figure payment and to do something edgy which results in being gossiped about on Page 6, Gawker, TMZ or PerezHilton.com As a result every buffoon utterly lacking in taste or self esteem buys into this notion of “V.I.P.” status and is all too happy to sit at one of your tables at venues like Marquee, order bottle service and pay $300 or more for a $40-50 bottle of Vodka and the opportunity to sit amid pseudo celebrities packed around a table among “friends”, who you cannot even hear speaking. Honestly if your VIP status is derived in this fashion may you R.I.P. The height of Amateur Night Poseur-ishness was best exemplified by a “friend” who asked that I appear at a special event at a club on New Years Eve that he was he was co-promoting, to take a picture of him and his date ‘arriving’ at approximately 10:30 p.m. I literally shook my head in disbelief. I know that Time Magazine dubbed this the year of “YOU” but I did not realize that some of you would take it so literally.

I have no issue with cocktails, partying, listening too good music, the opportunity to enjoy the company of friends while making some new friends, engaging in lively banter or dancing. While my perspective may seem reminiscent of the uber clueless Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, in my opinion, what passes for meaningful social life in New York City (and other major cities) and what all too often gets way too much press is not a life that any normal or sane person aspires to. This publicized nightlife in New York City largely consists of club owners and their friends in media and PR leading sheep to slaughter. This mindset is poisonous to the happiness of people who would be far happier if more of us could seriously figure out a way to connect on a meaningful basis. Clubs are a small (but profitable) aspect of social life in New York City but definitely not the answer for many of us. If you are club going bottle service regular because you perceive that it helps you feel that you have arrived on some level and you derive a sense of status from that, know that you are merely cheap kill for those selling you the opportunity to be part of a lifestyle which only enhances the income stream of nightlife entrepreneurs who wish to have a hand in your wallet.

New Years Eve and the Times Square ball drop to bring in the New Year is a phenomenon which attracts millions to New York, is viewed by many more millions around the world and is thus very good marketing for our city. This is all so easy to forget when any of us have had to contend with trying to make it around midtown Manhattan in the last few weeks. During that time, people from all over this country and the world jammed stores, Rockefeller Center and other tourist attractions in Manhattan. Although I was able to see the New Year being rung in other cities around the world before heading out myself for the evening, courtesy of some links on my Google home page and the Drudge Report, for some reason it never truly resonates with me until the official ball drop in Times Square in Manhattan. For the last few years I have been at my friend Marcel’s annual New Years Eve Loft Party which he hosts in the a west side loft, a few blocks south of Times Square. This year I saw the ball drop from a projection screen behind stage as my friend Valeria Gurka and her New York Time Machine Band performed at Marcel’s party.

To my fellow New Yorkers, consider yourself fortunate that you live and work in a place that everyone in the world wants to come to visit. Consider that also when a tourist asks for guidance or the time of day. Aside from being civic minded and polite to strangers, remember how you treat people, including the random stranger may impact whether people choose to come back and visit our city.

NEW YORK IS BACK.even as the rest of the world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket. The fact is that there are many more in the Middle East who deserve a similar fate as Saddam. Hopefully we will get around to it in due course. But at least New Yorkers can rejoice at the end of the Pataki era.

As Eliot Spitzer said in his inaugural address:

“Like Rip Van Winkle, the legendary character created by the New York author Washington Irving, New York has slept through much of the past decade while the rest of the world has passed us by. Today is the day when all of that changes � when we stop standing still and start moving forward once more.”

Probably the most significant and exciting thing for many a New Yorker, is the departure from the Governor�s mansion of do-nothing, stand for nothing Governor George Pataki. History will likely remember him as the least consequential figure in the history of New York. Governor Pataki, a man devoid of passion, vision and sense of the historic importance of New York City’s downtown community, illustrated a complete lack of leadership which resulted in a botched rebuilding process for the Twin Towers. Mr. Pataki’s legacy will be that as Governor he inherited a state with a city that had the Twin Towers as symbol of freedom and prosperity but yet under his leadership and his appointed LMDC, 5 years after 9/11 there is no building on that ground but rather a plan that sells New York short. All that exists is a plan to rebuild 1 (one) “Freedom Tower” Mr. Pataki will be remembered by those of us who love New York City as a man who in the aftermath of 9/11 pursued “Five Years of the Wrong Plan for the Wrong Reasons”

If it sounds a bit harsh, I am far from being the only one who believes that this man did absolutely nothing to improve the lives of New Yorkers, except to insure his position and that of his wife Libby Pataki, in the Governor’s mansion. Ironically, it is speculated that Mr. Pataki may seek the nation’s highest office. To those who would support such candidacy, take it from New Yorkers, many of whom were duped by this man, shame on you if you lend any credibility to this man’s candidacy. You must say No to Pataki for President. Mr. Pataki was an abysmal failure who deserves to be left in the scrap heap of New York political history. Mr. Pataki was a post-machine era politician who embodied the worst of machine era politics in terms of corruption, patronage and cronyism. If Mr. Pataki were to pen a book, taking a page from Barack Obama�s book entitled �The Audacity of Hope�, his would be entitled “The Audacity of Political Ambition” The best that the New York Times could say about this man is that: “At moments when leadership was needed, this was a governor whose performance was always adequate. It is hardly the kind of summation that makes for a political legend, but New Yorkers are well aware that it is possible to do worse”

“Pataki is prepared to give the nation what he gave New York: out-of-control spending, corruption, political favoritism, and neglect,” warns Hudson Institute president Herbert London, a veteran Gotham conservative activist. “To suggest that the last 12 years of his leadership were a failure would be a grotesque understatement. Pataki is an anchor around the ship of state, drowning residents in debt and special favors.” (See: Delroy Murdock, Goodbye George; See also: Frederic U. Dicker who wrote a political obituary for Mr. Pataki entitled, “Good Riddance”)

Today is Christmas Day, a high holiday for Christians worldwide. Amidst our politically correct efforts of inclusiveness to all cultures and religions at this time of the year, it is easy to forget the meaning of Christmas. On this day which is the holiest of holy days, Christians observe and celebrate the birth of Christ by promoting goodwill, sharing and compassion. This season Pope Benedict XVI appealed for the respect of the “dignity of children” during Midnight Mass attended by thousands at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and watched by millions more on television. In America it has, however, become an important part of a national shopping season central to the economy and the annual profits of retailers. In New York City, my hometown and the center of capitalism, the most prevalent symbols are the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and crowded department stores and boutiques from Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side to 5th Avenue in midtown down to Soho and Tribeca throughout the month of December. (PHOTO CREDIT: �Manhattan Society.com by Christopher London)

Ironically at the center of the universe in Manhattan, across the street from Rockefeller Center is St. Patrick�s Cathedral. One who needed a reminder of the meaning of Christmas need only wander into this magnificent cathedral to witness the many visitors who make their pilgrimage to New York City to visit friends, family or the city itself. Those who make certain to stop at this temple of Catholic worship to pay their respects seem to even pray more intensely.

Christians do not celebrate Ramadan with Muslims nor do they celebrate the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the high holidays for those respective religions. With all due respect to secularists who prefer the label �Seasons Greetings� or those who seek interfaith understanding, god bless you all as you do mean well. BUT please recognize that such labels distort and undermine the significance of this day and its meaning to Christian�s worldwide. I wish all of my friends who celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa the best wishes for them this time of the year. But today, I wish all those who observe it, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

My father left the relative comfort of a well connected, prominent and affluent family in his own country to come to the United States, and create a life in New York’s Bright Lights, Big City before Jay McInerney wrote about it. He became just another hard working professional in New York City trying to support a family. A man torn between his love for two countries, with family in both, was my father. No matter where he was, there was always a longing for those he cared for. You could see it in his eyes and his manner. It still brings tears to my eyes now to think of the depth of love and heartache my father had to experience in his lifetime. If you see something chivalrous or generous in me, it unquestionably comes from my father.

My mother grew up in a working class family of Italian (Genovese), German & Austrian heritage in Chelsea (it was a bit different back then) From my mom, I learned discipline, humility and common sense (which unfortunately I do not always apply). Their working lives and the people they knew opened my eyes to Manhattan. I had summer jobs on Madison Avenue working for the engineering firm for which my father was employed. When my parents separated, my stepfather worked for a Trump, Fred Trump. Donald was a prodigy on the verge of extending the Trump brand and taking it to a new level, in Manhattan. The next great thing he was or so my stepfather advised me. He was right! When you think of New York, a few names come to mind: Giuliani, Trump, Rockefeller, De Niro and Jeter etc.

You see, we knew people. People in my family ALWAYS knew people. We worked for them. There was honor in that and never any shame. Most of the time. Some people were more affluent and had more money but we never felt lesser nor did we begrudge anyone their success or good fortune. You see, there were also even some people that we could not really talk about knowing. It was not something that we discussed outside the house. That’s what happens when you grow up in a family of Italians (Northern and Southern (by marriage)) and Colombians, even if mom’s heritages was more WASP like. My father grew up in relative affluence but did not place a high value on material possessions, as much as he did his history books and music (Beethoven to Barry White). But it was o.k., it made me realize that we were different. My father taught me how to appreciate the subtle beauty of life, art and culture and respect for the alternative view. He challenged me to think and question everything and helped to fill in the gaps in my education.

Years later, I am still more proud of my letter of recommendation from Donald Trump on Trump Organization letterhead than I am by the law degree I received from the University of Pennsylvania, Donald’s alma mater. Because of Mr. Trump, a borderline candidate became a shoe in at UPenn Law. As my well connected college girlfriend’s family of prominent Philadelphian’s asked, “how does a kid from Brooklyn know anyone, in our town no less?” Well, very simple, my step father worked hard for an honest man (Fred Trump), who rewarded loyalty. In turn, in the summer months I found myself employed by the Trump Organization as a Janitor/Porter in Trump apartment buildings, sweeping floors, mopping hallways and packaging trash, not exactly “networking.” When I grew out of that, or thought my education elevated me above such work, even though the pay was significant for someone my age, I chose instead to work as a lifeguard at Trump building pools. The perks? A union wage and being the most popular kid with all the cute Brooklyn JAPS in the neighborhood. It was not a racial slur, rather it was an aspiration or so I later learned in college. When I went to Boston University and the University of Pennsylvania I was informed that JAPS or “Princesses” did not come from the boroughs but rather from places like the Fives Towns of Long Island, even though their mother and/or father often traced his or her heritage to Brooklyn.

Manhattan was a world I did not understand. Sure it was “my city” or so I bragged to non New Yorkers. The retort that I was was often met with was, “dude you are not from New York. You don’t live in Manhattan….you live in phucking Brooklyn with all the other bridge and tunnel people. You even talk like that guy, what’s his name, Vinnie Barbarino from Welcome Back Kotter. Too bad you don’t look like him, you might get laid more.” My girlfriend was right! Just kidding BUT, the fact was that on some level he was right. The lives being led there were so far different than my own, that I had to read about and watch movies to get insight and perspective about my “hometown.”

The first thing I did with the assistance of my college girlfriend was work on my elocution. While I liked Brooklyn and still do, being annointed with my home borough’s name as my nickname, “yo Brooklyn”, in college was not a good thing. If they only knew I was born in Queens, between Kew Gardens and Forest Hills to be exact. Being called a Queen at that age could have been catastrophic. But like most things in life, as time goes by what was once stigmatized becomes “hip”…much like Brooklyn is now the new Manhattan or having Soprano like people in your family tree. It was not like it is today where every kid growing up in suburban affluence who happens to have a surname that ends in a vowel and has maybe watched too many episodes of the Soprano’s or the Gotti’s fancies himself a “gangsta.” I want to bitch slap some of these people. When times were lean after my parents separation, my mom served us alot of rice & beans and spaghetti with meatsauce. This is now considered “latino fare” and “pasta bolognese” for which you will spend a pretty penny at some trendy restaurants. Even mac & cheese is now an appetizer at some of the very same places. Go figure. We just ate that stuff because we had no money

I educated myself because I aspired to be “one of them.” As it turns out I now come home exhausted most evenings, looking forward to a warm bath followed by placing my head on a pillow. After putting in a 12 hour day at work downtown on select evenings, like tonight, I find myself camera in hand inside tony Upper East Side townhouses, places like the Doubles Club in the Sherry Netherland Hotel, the Park Avenue Armory and the Waldorf Astoria covering society and the world of philanthropy. Why? Because somewhere along the line I fell into wanting to capture the story, and to really understand how my city works, rather than be the story. I once wondered what it was like to be a guest at these parties. But now, truthfully, in observing and taking pictures I am enjoying myself more than if I were the guest of honor. Capische? You see, New York has two classes of people. Those who work and those who well let’s just say “work it.” Frankly, it is unlikely that you will ever see me “lunching” at Michael’s. I just don’t do lunch. I am reminded of the scene in the movie Wall Street, where Michael Douglas playing Gordon Gekko states to the somewhat eager and green Bud Fox, played by Charlie Sheen that, “Lunch is for Wimps.” But I digress. Many who work it do so for the benefit of others. As for posers unfortunately you are always going to have those in any social setting. For me, they are just part of the background noise. Consider the woman who I ran into at a Fresh Air Fund fundraiser a couple of years ago who waxed on about how she has been big supporter of the fund for years now because of the important work that the fund does for the enviornment. I rolled my eyes in disbelief and had to cough to refrain from laughing but did not have the inclination to correct and advise her that the Fresh Air Fund actually sends under privileged youth to summer camp or the country homes of sponsors for select summer weeks so that they can experience country life outside of their urban enviornments.

What is charity but the fulfillment or enabling the dreams of others less fortunate? To me the fact that there are some truly genuine people who devote their lives to philanthropy is inspirational and fascinating. This is no less true because there are social perks associated with doing so or that they often choose to celebrate their philanthropic endeavors with such regal style and flair. So what if they draw attention to themselves? The fanfare by which philanthropy is celebrated in the highest echelons of New York’s social world is really just part of the show. It is enabling, not disabling and is a necessity for it to survive.

So what is a typical evening like for Chris London ? Tonight I photographed Rockefeller’s, several of them actually, met some happy fella’s at the bar, definitely saw a good fella (you have to trust me on that one). I spoke to a Junior Leaguer, a Wall Streeter, took a picture of a former East Street Band Member but walked by a famous Auctioneer because I had already taken his photo several times before.

I listen with my eyes and document what I hear with my camera. I do not always know why but I know I like it and will continue to do it even if it never gets me anywhere. They say life is about the journey and not the destination. The turbulence I have encountered in my life is not quite that experienced by those aboard the Titanic even if I did meet Kate Winslet on this trip. Speaking of Kate, I did not even know who she was until about six (6) stiff drinks of dialoque she fessed up. How clueless am I? A socialite walks in the room, my head pops up. I am seated drinking with one of the world’s most famous actresses for a couple of hours and to me she is simply “Kate”. But then again it was more interesting that way. And with her I just listened and watched….and left the camera in its place because it was also much better that way. There is a time and a place for everything, I suppose.

Maybe I will learn my proper place, even if I am sometimes filled with existential angst, too concerned about how others perceive me or what they think I should be or could have been. As my Dad advised me at my law school graduation after taking my picture with Commencement Speaker, Senator Joe Biden, “son you are so smart, you could have been a doctor.” Never have I been content to accept wholeheartedly without qualification the projections or labels that some would bestow on me….whether it be photographer, lawyer, writer, bodybuilder, boy toy, boyfriend etc etc. What is so wrong about being a jack of all trades, if eventually you come to master more than one?

I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of the bath water soothing my aching angles and thighs. In the background the radio played Neil Diamond:

“I am,” I said
To no one there
An no one heard at all
Not even the chair”
I am,” I cried”I am,” said I
And I am lost, and I can’t even say why
Leavin’ me lonely still

Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of bein’ a king
And then became one
Well except for the names and a few other changes
I you talk about me, the story’s the same one
But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I’ve tried, but it won’t let me go
And I’m not a man who likes to swear
But I never cared for the sound of being alone

“I am,” I said
To no one there
An no one heard at all
Not even the chair
“I am,” I cried
“I am,” said I
And I am lost, and I can’t even say why
Leavin’ me lonely still

Written by Neil Diamond

Welcome back, my friends
to the show that never ends.
We’re so glad you could attend!
Come inside! Come inside!

There behind a glass
stands a real blade of grass
be careful as you pass.
Move along! Move along!

Come inside, the show’s about to start
guaranteed to blow your head apart
Rest assured you’ll get your money’s worth
The greatest show in Heaven, Hell, or Earth
(Chorus)
You’ve got to see the show, it’s a dynamo….

Emerson Lake & Palmer from Karn Evil 9: First Impression, Part Two

The Society Show, much like Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, has a unique cast of chracters all its own. Whether your view is that of an insider or from the outside looking in a circus may certainly seem to be the appropriate analogy. The Players?   Socialites, Publicists, Philanthropy, Fashion, Cocktails, Photographers and Press galore, all interwoven in a mix that writer Michael Gross  previously referred to as Social Life in a Blender. (Photo: R Couri Hay at a Holiday Musicale at the home of Janna Bullock on the Upper East Side of Manhattan by Gregory Partanio for Manhattan Society.com)

In modern day New York we still find remnants of the old guard, a veritable self-appointed society mafia who consider themselves part of the existing social order. Behind the scenes they serve as gatekeepers in an attempt to insure some antiquated notions of preserving the public trust that went out with Edith Wharton’s, the Age of Innocence. And some think that this is rather unfortunate. Preservation of exclusivity, style and a regal element is certainly in the best interests of "the Show" but I am not sure whether all aspects are necessary or helpful. Afterall, excluding those with large checkbooks, however, is philanthropically shortsighted, if not foolish.

The similarities between "Made Men" in the Mafia and "Socialites" as accepted within the existing social hierarchy is uncanny. Case in point, Lorraine Bracco, none other than Dr. Melfi from the Soprano’s is one of the more active (in a meaningful way philanthropically) ladies on Manhattan’s social circuit these days. Daughter Stella Keitel, from her “relationship” with Harvey Keitel (one of this writer’s favorite actors along with Pacino & DeNiro) appears to be following suit. The making of a "Socialite" is either an evolutionary process or by birth right. When a Socialite gets "whacked", however, she may just find herself banished to Page 6 infamy where ironically she can perhaps become more infamous and notorious many of those attempting to preserve the existing social order. Maybe she can ever cross over in to "Celebutante" status, see Paris Hilton.  Once a celebrity or a celebutante maybe she will even be welcomed back into the fold, even if the Co-op Board of the Luxury 5th Avenue apartment buildings banish her to East of Park or worse yet midtown.

"The List" is undoubtedly in flux but evolving as a result of a variety of factors. For one, there is commericalism and a proliferation of local print and online media domestically and internationally, covering the phenomenon of "Society", each with their own take on it and a reality TV based culture looking for more "celebs" of the moment. As a result, you will find reality TV stars making grand entrances or glorified appearances around the city at charity and cultural events posing as actual celebs, often with their own publicists in tow. "Oops, sorry I did not see you on the Apprentice. I just noticed that you had err uh uh "nice cupcakes". So since you were fired by the Donald, what else have you been up to?" Oh it wasn’t Donald? Oh yeah I forgot Martha Stewart had a show also."

Secondly, there is also the never ending infusion of international monied classes into Manhattan from around the world which has further led to an expansion of what is considered "the List".  For that reason alone, it appears "the List"  largely depends on who’s making it and how much actual fundraising one would like to accomplish. That perhaps explains why David Patrick Columbia’s list differs from that of Jason Binn or Amy Sacco’s at Bungalow 8 or for that matter Suzanne Bartsch at Happy Valley. If nothing else, it proves that no matter how cool you are, not everyone will ever think that you are cool enough to be on their list. The fact is that on any given night almost anyone can be summarily turned away out of the blue and made well to feel sort of like a Gatecrasher or a "Shaggy" (a.k.a., a shaggy haired party crasher extraordinaire with a hair line resembling a french poodle and notoriously questionable hygiene who has become infamous for his ability to sniff out an open bar on any given night in Manhattan).  Believe me I know. There is many a list that I am not on and it does not bother me, as much as it amuses me. If I have learned anything in life it is that doors open when you least expect them to and also when you are not preoccupied with having them open. I am simply more curious that there so many actual doors to open.

Society even has its own Hired Papparazzi, which are referred to as "celebrity" photographers. A designation which I informally received myself despite the fact that I photograph exclusively the world of philanthropy: socialites, business leaders, politicos, philanthropists and much less actual hollywood celebrities.  With this style of photography permission is implicit.  Jumping out of bushes is not necessary nor is a zoom lens to capture them from 1,000 feet. That would be impersonal, impolite and inefficient but also rather unnecessary.  Par for the course is full length close ups from close range to capture fully the magnificient coture designs that often these ladies are paid or asked to wear to important events.  Sure its about being seen but being seen in Vera Wang, Douglas Hannant, Ralph Lauren, Lily Pulitzer etc etc. In New York, it is certainly about who you know, who you are and what you do or have done but, it is also very much about who’s designs you wear. In many cases, what you find the upwardly social wearing may very well exceed the net worth of some small countries, much less those photographing them.

If I had 15 Minutes while I was Out & About to take a stroll down the Avenue to peruse the beautiful Young on the Guest List at this week’s hottest event, in a Quest to figure out how A, let’s call him Andrew,  knows B, lets call him Ben (a blonde bomber who is often gawked at and is anything but a "Gatecrasher" and usually always on the List), is also connected to C, I probably would not need to ask Richard Johnson for the Lowdown or check Page 6 to confirm that the straw that stirs the drink behind many a society cocktail is none other than C, simply meaning Couri or R Couri Hay, publicist, columnist and man about town. Flamboyant? Sure. Aggressive? Perhaps at times. But, is he effective? Most definitely.  R Couri Hay is a Social Maestro, an integral cog in the wheel of philanthropy and high end social life in New York City, often conducting the flow of publicity by cultivating relationships with the press leading them to a story before, during and after events in this town.  Much like a magician or puppeteer, even when he is not present, or you cannot trace his fingerprints to a story it is his work or that of his able bodied staff, that may often be at play.  Couri certainly seems to have his competition with the growing ranks of trust fundafarian socialite/publicist/event planners each of whom have carved out a special niche and clientele in  the world of fashion and philanthropy. Ironically enough they can often be seen mixing about in the same social shark tank eyeing their prey, networking with the over networked.  Air kisses aside it is not surprising that there is a juicy under current of cattiness, envy and pretense as well as some ruthless competition, except I am not a gossip so that is as far as I will go with this. Then again, sometimes you find them working in concert at or behind the scenes for the same organization, never really sure how or who is being compensated for what is transpiring.

This may seem like a critique of the social system in place in New York, Palm Beach and the Hamptons. I can only truly speak for New York City, in particular the Island of Manhattan. To the contrary, "the Show" is a necessity for fashion, philanthropy, arts and social life to thrive and flourish in this town. Without "the Show" New York would really not be New York. If you think a drink is a drink and that clothes are merely cloth to cover your weary limbs perhaps you do not understand or comprehend what is at play here.  Hollywood has celebrity. New York has Society. No doubt, a merger of the two seems to be evolving to some degree, but not entirely, as more and more Hollywood celebrity types become omniprescent on the New York social scene mixing among the cities socialities, philanthropists and business leaders. Perhaps this is a wise move for those in the entertainment business who find themselves between sitcoms, film roles or on the downward side of a career cycle in an attempt to keep their name in the headlines if not the social pages.  The star system in New York, however, is a tad different than it is in Hollywood and the flavor a bit more up close and personal. Not everyone can handle it.

Hollywood celebrities often require civilian guests and press to remain at an uncomfortable arms length distance which can take away from the intimacy of an event. I recall being almost knocked to the ground by an overzealous body guard several years ago inside the tent at Tavern on the Green at a benefit for the Fresh Air Fund. The reason? I was a guest, without a camera (yes there was a time Chris London, B.C., before camera) within 50 feet of Mariah Carey (who by the way in my estimation looks alot better now with more junk in the trunk and on the grill as well) who was coming in with an entourage and my back happened to be to the entrance.

It is the illusive but accessible quality of "the socialite" that gives her a powerful star like draw which in many cases exceeds that of celebrities. Ask any event planner what it means in New York City to have Amanda Hearst, Lydia Hearst or Gillian Hearst in attendance at your social event with or without Anne Hearst and the man who wrote the quintessial modern New York novel which brought the world’s focus to an element of New York Nightlife in his book Bright Lights Big City, Jay McInerney. Beauty, wealth and education seem to enhance one’s pedigree whether you trace your roots to the Mayflower, 5th Avenue, the Hamptons, Palm Beach or even Forest Hills. As one who has photographed many of the leading "stars" of New York Society, the thoughtful photographer must appreciate the need to be creative but efficient in how you photograph them. Do not monopolize their precious time because others will need to photograph them. The Socialite must be permitted to find a comfort zone that enables her to relax and enjoy the event so that the pleasure of her company may be enjoyed by many, including her personal and intimate network of confidants who undoubteldy came to lend their support for the evenings charitable recipient. This is the reason why I will usually keep my dialoque brief and polite wth the Hearst Girls, Debbie Bancroft, Coralie Charriol Paul, Tinsley Mortimer, Allison Aston, Bettina Zilkha, Zani Gugelmann, Alex Lind Rose, Mona Wyatt, Emilia Fanjul Pfiefler (and her office full of model like socialite babes every one stylish, wall mannered and beautiful as the next) etc etc. These women are sexy, beautiful and engaging creatures but frankly they are part of "the show" and last I checked I was not the only one with a ticket.

Society’s stars pump up the volume in a look at me way that well says…look at New York. Look at our beautiful venues, great art and architecture and these wonderful charitable organizations, and the people behind them even if it sometimes feels that charity is an afterthought and not the preveiling thought. And yes look at some of the great work of fashion designers being done in the Fashion Capital of the World.  For some reason a highball at McFadden’s Pub does not taste quite the same as does a glass of Veuve Clicquot in a Champagne glass at the Park Avenue Armory or on a schmooze cruise aboard The Highlander, the Forbes Family Yacht, in the New York Harbor while flirting with a Hearst, a Forbes or one of the other young, beautiful and upwardly social ladies of Manhattan. For those who Gawk and poke fun at this "scene" recognize, they have also enabled your journalistic career to some degree. Cheers and welcome to 2006 where the show is just getting underway.

This is a blessing for our society as a whole despite whatever hogwash that his celebrity supporters have fostered in their petition for clemency. That Tookie could not take Dennis Kozlowski, Ken Lay and some of the other more prolific economic criminals of the go-go 1990’s with him is the only part that saddens me. Tookie was convicted of killing 4 people and his founding of the Crips fostered an era of killing and the proliferation of “Gangsta” violence and gangsta chic. Likewise, the lives of thousands of others were financially ruined by the likes of some of these economic crimimals.

As a people and a society it is questionable however whether we have any moral standing to administer the death penalty. Leftist Tom Hayden makes some compelling points in his open letter to Governor Schwarzenegger calling for clemency for Tookie Williams. But what is incredible to me is that this particular individual is whom the left has chosen to expend such extraordinary political capital in an effort to save. If anyone deserves the death penalty I find no more suitable candidate than Tookie Williams. Saving Tookie sends exactly the wrong message to the criminal or gang element in this country, even if it is questionable whether there is any deterent value with the death penalty.

What I find hypocritical is that we place such a different value on the destruction of life in economic terms vs. the destruction of life in physical terms. The lives of many are destroyed by men in suits with the almighty pen and back room deals. Maybe if guys like Enron’s Ken Lay and Dennis Kozlowski who’s economic crimes have destroyed he lives of countless individuals and families, faced a life in general population vs. a stint at Danbury’s “Club Fed”, their crimes against humanity would be far less prevalent or at least it would dilute the weight of the argument that the administration of the death penalty or severe criminal penalties is racist.

That we as a society administer the penalty in solitude behind closed doors via lethal injection does not make it any more humane. Let’s be more honest about it. We are KILLING another human being who we have decided is no longer fit to remain on this planet in our company. I say do it Live on Pay Per View with the proceeds going to the victims of crime in the form of a special victims criminal relief fund. So what if it is entertainment for the masses? Is it so wrong for society to somehow regain the losses by profiting at the expense of those cretins who have caused so much destruction and harm to our way of life?

Putting aside whether the death penalty is morally right or wrong, what I have found most disengenuous is the approach taken by proponents of clemency for Tookie Willams. So much has been overlooked in their effort to save a soul who seems to have conveniently found redemption once he found an education and and some powerful hollywood friends. See, Curtis Sliwa, Debating the defense of Tookie Williams on Scarborough Country. No offense to Snoop Dog but he has no standing as a character witness in my estimation. If this was my character witness, give me the chair. The fact is that folks like Snoop are very much wrapped up in profiteering off the proliferation and glorification of “Gangsta” culture, even if they are but “Faux Gangsta’s” or posers. Jamie Foxx likewise must have had his Ray Charles glasses on in joining the fight to “Save Tookie”. Justice may be blind but in my humble opinion the only folks who are blind here are those who have so misguidely banded together in their fight to save Tookie. They should be asked to repeately quote the names of those who died at his hands as well as countless others who have died in gangland violence since the birth of the Crips.

The simple fact is that there is little or no evidence to the contrary that Tookie Williams is not in fact guilty of killing 4 people and inspiring the death of countless others through his founding of the Crips. His redemption rings shallow and false. What has he admitted? That he was a bad young misguided man who did not know any better? Would we as a society have been better off with a Six time Nobel Peace Prize nominee serving as a voice of reason to youth gangs in this country? Perhaps, but the symbolism of granting clemency to someone who has neither apologized or atoned for his sins and the crimes he was convicted of undermines the very essence of basis for clemency to begin with. Moreover, it is not in the power of the Governor to grant clemency and in the process overule the legislature and the judicial system without any coherent and plausible rationale for doing so. I am to say the least pleased that Governor Schwarzennegger did not cave to political pressure. He made the right decision and should be commended for doing so in a tough political climate. He could have made some more influential friends on the left by granting Tookie clemency.