Rudy Giuliani on 9/11 - a new look at the "hero"

AM New York ^ | August 23, 2006 | Ellis Henican

[Eagle Forgotten]

It's the unexamined question of 9/11: What if Rudy Giuliani wasn't quite the hero everybody thought?

....

But what if Rudy's take-charge image was mostly a load of bravado and PR? What if the actual decisions he made - before, during and after the terror attacks - were directly responsible for the city's inability to deal effectively with crucial aspects of the crisis?

....

With dozens of exclusive and previously unreleased interviews, Barrett and Collins show how the ambitious ex-mayor has spent recent years revising his own truth of 9/11 - and profiting handsomely from it. Casting himself as a prescient terror hawk who wisely prepared his city for the inevitable, Giuliani in fact ignored repeated warnings from the experts, including his own commissioners and aides.

Instead of confronting the looming danger, they tell how he grew increasingly distracted by pet projects, political turf wars and an extraordinarily messy personal life.

[BroncosFan]

In a perfect world, I would have preferred the first well-publicized blow to come from the Right, but The Cult of Rudy needs to be subject to some sober, critical thought. And soon. If this book does that, so much the better.

[Spiff]

But what if Rudy's take-charge image was mostly a load of bravado and PR? What if the actual decisions he made - before, during and after the terror attacks - were directly responsible for the city's inability to deal effectively with crucial aspects of the crisis?

All Giuliani proved on 9/11 is that he can stick with an emergency operations/disaster recovery plan already written for him and that he's a master of PR. Sure, he could have done what the Mayor of New Orleans did in the face of disaster and toss the written and practiced plans. He didn't. I'll give him that. But that's not much. Most of the decisions were already made for him, had been simulated and practiced, and were written down in a detailed plan.

[alnick]

For one thing, I particularly liked that Guiliani told that Arab prince to take his $10 million and shove it. How many politicians would do something like that?

[Alice in Wonderland]

Senior Services

Overlooking the ocean on Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 148 Street quietly stands the vacant Neponsit Health Care Center, which once was home to nearly 300 senior citizens, who Monday were awarded a $5 million settlement from the city in compensation for trauma suffered from the abrupt 1998 closing of the facility.
Shortly after a Labor Day storm in September of 1998, which caused structural damage, the Neponsit nursing home was completely evacuated over a two-day period without prior notice to the patients, their families or the staff. Residents, some of whom had lived at the nursing home for 15 years, were bused to a number of different hospital wards and nursing homes across the city.
The mass transfer was so sudden that some family members learned of the transfer from watching the news. Elderly patients were left confused and uncertain of their own whereabouts. A 71-year-old woman was missing for several days immediately following the closing of the Neponsit home. "Some people couldn’t find their teeth after [the move]," said Audrey Pheffer, Assemblywoman. "According to the Giuliani administration, the buildings were in imminent danger of collapse," said John Gaska, district manager Community Board 14. Though almost five years later all four brick buildings of the Neponsit Health Care Center stand intact.
http://www.rockawave.com/news/2003/0606/Front_Page/025.html

[alnick]

Defamation is the best and foremost weapon of Psychopolitics on the broad field. Continual and constant degradation of national leaders, national institutions, national practices, and national heroes must be systematically carried out, but this is the chief function of the Communist Party Members, in general, not the psychopolitician."

They've certainly been applying that methodically to GWB, haven't they.

[AmericaUnited]

Yes, the disturbing thing is how many on the right are the useful idiots in this regards and do some of the dirty work.

[Blackirish]

Silly me, I was even envisioning a great self examination by the nation at large and repentance for our sins.

---

After 9/11 thats what you envisioned?
What the hell does that mean?

[Blackirish]

Rudy took down the east coast mob.
Cleaned up NYC when it was a mess.
Had the guts to kick Nobel peace prize winner Arafat out on his ass....later Clinton would be hoodwinked by Arafat.
Led NYC and the country through 9/11. It was not just a show...he went to the funerals he went to the firehouses he was prolly working 7 days a week for months.
Gave the UN an ass kicking after 9/11.
Told that Arab Sheik to shove his 10 mill.

Cutting Taxes
Rudy Giuliani cut more taxes than any Mayor in New York City history, reducing or eliminating 23 city taxes that saved individuals and businesses more than $8 billion and reduced New Yorkers’ overall tax-burden by 22%. By the end of Giuliani’s term in office, New Yorkers enjoyed their lowest tax burden in three decades, along with 427,600 new private sector jobs, the strongest seven-year gain on record.


Fiscal Responsibility
Rudy Giuliani inherited a $2.3 billion dollar budget deficit and turned it into a multi-billion dollar surplus, while cutting taxes and delivering 8 consecutive balanced budgets. He cut the number of full-time city workers by 19%, excluding teachers and police officers, while slowing the growth of government spending to below the rate of inflation.

[presently no screen name]

Giuliani has nothing to do with conservative politics.

Why did you leave about the word 'social'?

It's no secret that such candidates have an uphill climb in the NE, but is that a reason to quit?

No, but one must live in the here and now. There is NO conservative that has the hard-nosed anti-terror stance we need now. There is nothing 'moderate' about throwing Arafat out and, basically, saying, 'up yours and we can't be bought' to the Saudi prince. Rudy doesn't play 'nicey-nice' with scum, unlike most politicians.

So, you deny that Giuliani has a self-absorbed nature?

I must certainly do! Rudy is SELF-ASSURED, not self-absorbed.

Now who is your conservative candidate for '08' that has proven his 'conservative' label?

[PDR]

Put every one on notice -- Free Republic has now official become a home to the Giuliani-bashers... jeez! Will some people ever get over their penchant for tearing people down? To many keep it small, keep it all people here -- or who won't be happy until we have a Keyes-Tancredo ticket (if you're going to lose, lose spectacularly).

[cicero's_son]

Please add me to your ping list, if you have one.

This conservative happens to be a huge Rudy Guiliani fan. I lived in New York before Guiliani was mayor, and throughout his tenure as mayor. The difference he made simply cannot be overstated. He was without question the most competent executive the city had ever seen.

As for people re-writing his role in the history of 9-11, I was there. And anyone who was there knows what a hero Rudy was in those dark days.

[JHBowden]

"What basis is there for considering Rudy Giuliani a particularly effective leader against terrorism?"

Rudy has been supporting Bush 100% on the war against Islamic fascism. I haven't seen ANY nitpicking to gain favor from the drive-by media, unlike what I've seen from McCain, Hagel, and others.

Also, look at how Rudy has treated Yasser Arafat, or the Saudi Royal that sent him the check. Rudy understands what terrorism is and hasn't compromised his position on this, even in the face of criticism from the Clintons, the NYT and so forth.

[jmc813]

Implementing a program called HealthStat—designed to identify children eligible for health insurance — the Giuliani administration enrolled more than 150,000 adults and children in Medicaid and Child Health Plus.

You're not going to win converts on a conservative forum by talking up Rudy's support of socialized medicine.

[jmc813]

I can understand that it would upset you horribly that Rudy polls better than any candidate running for the presidency at this time. That frankly delights me.

Didn't you just claim earlier in this thread that you had not decided on a candidate yet?

[Peach]

Yes I did and what is it I posted that you think contradicts that?

[jmc813]

Put every one on notice -- Free Republic has now official become a home to the Giuliani-bashers... jeez!

Free Republic is a conservative forum. Why would you not expect us to bash liberals such as (R)udy?

[PDR]

because Rudy Giuliani is not a liberal -- he may be more liberal or objectively liberal on certain issues but on others he is as conservative or more conservative than the current president or Ronald Reagan...

[Spiff]

because Rudy Giuliani is not a liberal

He most certainly is!

-- he may be more liberal or objectively liberal on certain issues but on others he is as conservative or more conservative than the current president or Ronald Reagan...

You're either on drugs or just plain stupid.

Rudy Giuliani:

• Pro-abortion - even opposed banning partial birth murder.
• Anti-gun
• Pro-big government
• Pro-radical gay agenda
  

  - Supports gay marriage
  - Attended every gay pride parade in NYC while mayor (even one in 1992 that included a NAMBLA contingent of pedophile activists)
  - Has received many awards from radical gay groups
  - Attends and supports many functions and fund-raisers held by radical gay organizations (even did a cross dressing act at Pride Agenda fund-raiser)

• Pro-illegal immigration - said no one in New York City is going to assist the federal government with the enforcement of immigration law, sued Feds in 1997 to be able to ignore immigration law, lost in court, vowed to ignore law anyway
• Endorses Democrat candidates
• Ran for NYC Mayor in 1994 on Liberal Party ticket. Appointed Liberal Party State Chair to a Deputy Mayor position. Endorsed 3 times by the Liberal Party for his liberal views.
• Holds many other liberal views
• Republican In Name Only - opposes many major planks of the GOP Platform

Read more about Giuliani's liberal positions here.

Rudy Guiliani has marched in lockstep with liberals on affirmative action, gay rights, gay marriage, gun control, school prayer, tuition tax credits, liberal immigration policies, and he's reinforced it, time and time again. Just about everytime Rudy opens his mouth, offensive liberal words come pouring out. As Mayor, Rudy put liberals in high-paid city jobs, an indication what a Rudy WH would look like. Here then is Rudy in his own words:

--The New York State Liberal Party on its endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for Mayor: "When the Liberal Party Policy Committee reviewed a list of key social issues of deep concern to progressive New Yorkers, we found that Rudy Giuliani agreed with the Liberal Party's stance on a majority of such issues. He agreed with the Liberal Party's views on affirmative action, gay rights, gun control, school prayer and tuition tax credits. As Mayor, Rudy Giuliani would uphold the Constitutional and legal rights to abortion." N.Y.S. Liberal Party Endorsement Statement of Candidate Giuliani for Mayor of New York City April 8, 1989

--On the Republican Party: "Mr. Rockefeller represented 'a tradition in the Republican Party' I've worked hard to re-kindle - the Rockefeller, Javits, Lefkowitz tradition." Rudy Giuliani told the New York Times July 9, 1992

--Village Voice Interview with Guiliani: He was asked: "What kind of Republican Is [Giuliani]? A Reagan Republican?" Giuliani pauses before answering: "I'm a Republican." Village Voice January 24, 1989

--On Attending 1996 Republican Convention: Rudy expressed his pleasure when he wasn't invited to the Republican National Convention in San Diego. "If I take three or four days off from city business, I want to do it for a substantive purpose. It didn't seem to me any substantive purpose could be served by going to the Republican convention." said Rudy. Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Page 459, by Wayne Barrett

--On Barry Goldwater: Giuliani described John Kennedy as "great and brilliant. Barry Goldwater as an "incompetent, confused and sometimes idiotic man." New York Daily News, May 13, 1997

--On President Bill Clinton: Shortly before his last-minute endorsement of Bob Dole in the 1996 presidential election, Giuliani told the Post's Jack Newfield that "most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine." Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Wayne Barrett.

--The Daily News quoted Giuliani as saying March 1996: "Whether you talk about President Clinon, Senator Dole.... The country would be in very good hands in the hands of any of that group." An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Wayne Barrett.

--Revealing at one point that he was "open" to the idea of endorsing Clinton, Rudy said: "When I ran for mayor both times, '89 and '93, I promised people that I would be, if not bipartisan, at least open to the possibility of supporting Democrats." Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani, Wayne Barrett, Page 459

---Rudy Giuliani Endorses Democratic Governor Mario Cuomo October 1994: "From my point of view as the mayor of New York City, the question that I have to ask is, ˜Who has the best chance in the next four years of successfully fighting for our interest? Who understands them, and who will make the best case for it?' Our future, our destiny is not a matter of chance. It's a matter of choice. My choice is Mario Cuomo." Rudy Giuliani: Emperor of the City book by Andrew Kirtzman, Page 133

--Reaction to Giuliani Endorsement of Cuomo: "Once again, Rudolph Giuliani has demonstrated that liberalism is the foundation of his political philosophy. While Giuliani sold a bill of goods to trusting Republicans and Reagan Democrats that he had abandoned his roots as a McGovern Democrat, in his endorsement of Mario Cuomo, Mr. Liberal himself, he has shown his true colors. Giuliani's argument that Cuomo will be better for the city has a hollow ring to it. Perhaps Rudy wants a governor who will sign over a blank check to constantly bail out the city from its fiscal problems. Giuliani knows, as do all New Yorkers, that Cuomo's liberal policies have been an economic disaster for our city and state." "But Rudy doesn't care. He has proven he will do anything to stop the election of a conservative Republican - but he won't succeed." Michael Long, Chairman N.Y.S. Conservative Party Press Statement, October 25, 1994

--"[Quite] frankly, you have to understand the fact that Rudy Giuliani was a McGovern Democrat, he was endorsed by the Liberal Party when he ran for Mayor. In his heart, he's a Democrat. He's paraded all over this country with Bill Clinton and, in fact, he's very comfortable with Mario Cuomo. But what Rudy Giuliani wants is to be bailed out in the city, in the mess he's in, and everybody understands very clearly in politics that they struck a deal, that Mario's going to continue to be the big spender, save Rudy the options of raising taxes by pouring money statewide into the City of New York and bailing it out. Quite frankly, I predict that he will join the Democratic Party." Interview with Michael Long, Chairman N.Y.S. Conservative Party, CNN Crossfire, October 25, 1994

--On Gay Domestic-Partner Rights: "National Republicans can lump it if they don't like his new domestic-partners bill, "Mayor Giuliani said yesterday. "I really haven't thought about what the impact is on Republican politics or national politics or Democratic politics," Giuliani said. The bill he submitted to the City Council would extend the benefits city agencies must grant to gay and lesbian couples. "I'm proud of it," Giuliani said of the bill. "I think it puts New York City ahead of other places in the country." New York Daily News, May 13, 1998

--On Gay-Rights/Gay Rights Bill: Giuliani favors extended civil-rights protection for gays and lesbians. Giuliani urged, by letter, to the New York Senate Majority Leader to pass the state's first ever gay rights bill, but did it privately. "I am writing to convey my support for the current legislation to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians, and to urge you to allow the bill onto the floor of the Senate for prompt action." ".......It is my belief that we can penalize discrimination [against gays] without creating any potentially objectionable special privileges or preferential treatment." New York Post, June 5, 1993

--Now Rudy Giuliani has jumped on the bandwagon, pressing the state Republican Party to release a gay-rights bill to the Senate floor for a vote. Marching in Sunday's [Gay Pride] parade, he has enlisted in the struggle to destroy the family. What a perfectly abominable springboard to seek high political office. Ray Kerrison New York Post, June 30, 1993

--Giuliani said homosexuality is "good and normal." quoting Ray Kerrison New York Post, July 7, 1989

--On Gay Domestic Partnership: "I have no objection to the concept of domestic partnership," said Rudy Giuliani on Informed Sources New York T.V. Show (PBS), May, 1992

--On Abortion: Leaflets distributed by the Giuliani campaign .... said that he opposes restrictions to Federal Medicaid financing for abortions and opposes the Hyde Amendment, which is intended to deny support for that financing. New York Times, June 18, 1993.

--Rudy Guiliani on abortion: "I'd give my daughter the money for it [an abortion]."

--"I never called for the overturning of Roe vs. Wade." Rudy Giuliani, New York Newsday, September 1, 1989

--As mayor, Rudy Giuliani will uphold a woman's right of choice to have an abortion. Giuliani will fund all city programs which provide abortions to insure that no woman is deprived of her right due to an inability to pay. He will oppose reductions in state funding. He will oppose making abortion illegal. New York Times, August 4, 1989

--On Partial Birth Abortion: Mr. Giuliani has said that New York State law should not be changed to outlaw the procedure. New York Times, January 7, 1998

--On School Choice: "He doesn't support tuition tax credits and vouchers." Sandra Feldman, President of N.Y.C. Teacher's Union, 1993

--On Taxes: [Giuliani] says ruling out a tax increase is "political pandering." Newsday, August 31, 1989

--On Rudy's 2008 candidacy: "That dream of Rudy Giuliani as the man of 2008 was a fantasy created in New York City, and not something that is an accepted reality to anyone who knows the national Republican Party or even Washington Republicans," said the former White House official. "That’s the joke of this." Ben Smith, page 17 The New York Observer 12/20/2004 edition.

[PDR]

its easy to pick and choose -- rudy is comfortably center-right and, on taxes, on crime, on civil society, on education - quite conservative... you are allowed to not think so but you were not given the power or authority to determine who is and who is not conservative based upon what you yourself believe.

[PISANO]

Hit piece on Giuliani......just in case he runs for the Presidency!!

Full of monday morning qb'ing!