[chinatlc]

Not necessarily, and even if New Yorkers did come together, they may not have done so in a positive fashion, coming together in fear and out of weakness, rather than strength and resolve

I don't know where you come from, but your analogy of New Yorkers in time of a crisis of this magnitude is way off base. We are not weak, we have shown our strength in these times, where we have lost over 5,000 people to these murderous cowards. While there were some people trying to get away with stupidness, the majority of reports of those crimes were not reported in NYC. People beating on people of middle eastern descent, etc.

And without leadership, every large, diverse group that comes together will eventually fragment and fall apart.

You obviously don't get your fellow man enough credit. Why not just lump us all in that same category of the people who did this.

That's where Rudy G shines the most. He is a leader, not a follower. He's willing to make and carry out executive decisions that are best for the group as a whole, regardless of the impact upon any particular member of the group. He has lead by example, walking among the dead and wounded, while remaining cool, calm, and collected despite the danger.

If you can give our mayor credit, why not the people of New York, who recognized that not only did we lose people, human beings, normal people, who have normal lives, but we also lost our state treasures. The NYPD and FDNY, those men and women who risked their lives everyday, not just September 11th, but everyday to save other lives. So yes, the Mayor should be commended, commended for doing his job. For making sure that the people of NY stay calm and not outrage us as he has done in the past with his dictorial ways.

He has proven himself worthy of our trust over and over again.

Has he? As a minority and an advocate living and breathing in the State of New York, I find that he has not proven himself worthy of my trust, he has just done his job. Here's what I commend him for. I commend him for putting those tired old dictatorship traits on the back burner in light of these events. I commend him for not making this a "I AM MAYOR, HEAR ME ROAR" type. I commend him for being sensitive to the needs of New Yorkers and not spouting that other garbage that he usually does. I commend him for trying his hardest at his press conferences to be sensitive to the families of the dead and/or missing. I do not just commend him for doing the job that he is doing. That is his job. I commend those characteristics that he has shown since September 11th, that he has not shown while he has been in office. Before i end this, one last thing. Our fearless mayor wants to extend terms limits to allow himself to stay mayor after Dec. 31. Question, why can't he continue on in an advisory position. Does he have to be in the position of power to continue to do the job that he is doing???? Answer: BECAUSE HE IS A DICTATOR AND WANTS CONTROL!!!!

[Labyrinthos]

For someone who has been a member of the Free Republic for less than 24 hours, you sure have a lot to say. Most of us with any brains will lurk around here for several weeks or even months before posting and then, when we do post, we will try to choose our words very carefully so as not to insult or personally attack our fellow Freepers. And while I certainly respect your right to express your opinion, perhaps you should choose another forum to expree it.

[Labyrinthos]

For someone who has been a member of the Free Republic for less than 24 hours, you sure have a lot to say. Most of us with any brains will lurk around here for several weeks or even months before posting and then, when we do post, we will try to choose our words very carefully so as not to insult or personally attack our fellow Freepers. And while I certainly respect your right to express your opinion, perhaps you should choose another forum to express it.

[MAWG]

Hey Al. Your dippity doo is showing.

[MAWG]

Royal Crown Pommade? Red Devil Lye? C'mon, gimme a hint.

[StarFan]

BECAUSE HE IS A DICTATOR AND WANTS CONTROL!!!!

Unlike Ed "How am I doing" Koch? Well I think Rudy may just prove you wrong if what Fox news is reporting comes to pass. The "Dictator or Control Freak" may be offered a position as Executive Administrator of the Reconstruction Process. Hmmm, if he accepts that would mean he'd have to answer to others, wouldn't it? Than what would your gripe be -- his salary or the time he takes off for cancer treatment which he must have put on the back burner these past two weeks.

[Labyrinthos]

While there were some people trying to get away with stupidness, the majority of reports of those crimes were not reported in NYC. People beating on people of middle eastern descent, etc.

I didn't say anything about crime in NYC or anywhere else in my post so I can't understand why you would bring crime up unless you're trying to pick a fight. What I was refering to was the mayor's ability to stand tall in a very difficult situation, and to instill strength and confidence by his words and deeds, rather than by putting his head in the sand, hiding in fear, or telling New Yorkers to pull down the shades and lock the doors because we are under attack.

You obviously don't get your fellow man enough credit. Why not just lump us all in that same category of the people who did this.

Again, you're trying to pick a fight. I give my fellow man and woman a lot of credit. But New York City is one of the most diverse places in the world, and without a leader during a time of crisis, the bonds that hold people together can quickly fall a part. So far, Rudy G has not allowed that to happen. And please enlighten us here at the Free Republic. Please tell the name of a large diverse group of leaderless people who have not eventually fragmented and fallen apart. George Bush's leadership, for example, is what kept the diverse coalition together duirng the Iraqi War. Bill Clintoon's lack of leadership is what caused the coalition to fall apart. Leadership is what keeps our military troops focused, even though the troops come from all areas of the country, and from different races, religions, and social/economic backgrounds. The lack of leadership causes soldiers to turn against themselves and to put their own interests ahead of the common goal.

BECAUSE HE IS A DICTATOR

I don't think you'd know a dictator if he dragged you out in the alley and beat you senseless. Rudy G only seems like a dictator to you because he followed Dinkins who was probably the most ineffective, devisive weanie that has ever held the office of mayor.

No, I'm not from NYC. I live in the NYC suburbs, and I travel to NYC many, many times a month both for business and pleasure.