NYC mayor heads to Israel to 'show his support' (????)

[Dover]

Source: AP

January 3rd, 2009 @ 7:01pm

NEW YORK (AP) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is heading to Israel with police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and New York Rep. Gary Ackerman.

Spokesman Andrew Brent says the mayor "is going in order to show his support for Israel."

...cont'd




Read more: http://ktar.com/?nid=45&sid=1018605&r=1

---

Seems like an awful long way to travel (back on Monday) just to 'show support'. And why bring
the police commissioner? So are phone conversations just too risky?


MORE >>>

....The trip comes as Israel launches a ground offensive in Gaza following eight days of punishing air strikes that failed to halt militant rocket attacks on Israel.

Bloomberg, who is Jewish, is scheduled to spend Sunday meeting with the mayors of Sderot and Ashkelon and with New Yorkers who have moved to Israel.

He's expected to be back in New York by Monday morning.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/01/03/7911376-ap.html


---

Mayor Bloomberg remarks on Israel's right to defend itself
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/mayor_bloomberg_remarks_on_isr.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Oy. Fekakte.

Bloomberg's quite an interesting fellow.

[rwheeler31]

2. Why?

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. He is running fro reelection and many NYC voters strongly support Israel

[tabasco]

3. New York mayor heads to Israel to get his support.

Fixed the headline!

[liberalmuse]

4. I'm torn.

I haven't taken the time to read up on what is all behind this, but my gut reaction seems to be against Israel's overkill on the bombing. I will never condone the bombing of civilians and do not understand what would justify leveling places where there is a large civilian population. Still, I don't want to weigh in until I take the time to read respectable sources on this.

[EFerrari]

5. So, can we infer that Israel needs his support?

[Baby Snooks]

7. The Palestinians don't vote in New York....

Truly an appalling act by an appalling man. Who of course was supported by Caroline Kennedy.

[CoffeeCat]

6. Oh geez...another lemming...

kow towing to the neocon overlords.

My goodness...the lengths to which people will go, to reassure the neocons.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Support of what? Death and War?

Geeze!

[McCamy Taylor]

9. Get a conscience.

[Jefferson23]

11. Pathetic opportunist with too much money.

[caseymoz]

12. That sounds like a conflict of interest.

Since when does a mayor of a US city take a stand like this? And visit a foreign combatant. This does ruin any remaining pretense that the US is neutral. So, he's Jewish. I wonder what would have happened if Kennedy visited the Vatican, to show solidarity?

[harmonicon]

13. well, here's your key phrase "..New Yorkers who have moved to Israel"

What do you suspect the meeting will be with very wealthy and influential "New Yorkers who have moved to Israel" (i.e. those who probably have dual citizenship and are still active in NY politics and business)? I was very creeped out when Bloomberg ("who is Jewish" - WTF?! It drives me crazy that when Israel comes up, it has to be mentioned if someone is Jewish or not) bought New York. Maybe he and his friends are looking to buy a city on the Mediterranean now too?

[aquart]

14. When we elect an Arab mayor, I'm sure he'll head for Gaza.

Like a lemming.

[no_hypocrisy]

15. Even Giuliani has the sense to fight the terrorists from his NYC apartment.

[ryanmuegge]

16. This is not surprising.

After all, this is the same guy who tried to destroy the democratic process in his state by changing the laws regarding term limits to extend his time as Mayor. It should not be surprising that he is also supportive of bombing civilians. Those who oppose democracy often are in favor of heinous acts of violence.

[Poll_Blind]

17. That's interesting, isn't it?

  Really. It's like sometimes I wish they sold extra eyebrows because at this point, I need to raise more than just the two I already got.



PB