BLOOMBERG MEETS WITH BUSH

http://wcbs880.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_078132222.html ^ | 3/19/03

[areafiftyone]

Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with President Bush and Homeland Defense Secretary Tom Ridge in the White House Wednesday, seeking a greater share of federal security dollars to meet the "special needs" of the city's anti-terror efforts.

City officials recently launched Operation Atlas, a $5 million a week counterterrorism effort as the nation heads toward war with Iraq.

Bloomberg emerged from the Oval Office with Ridge to say the meeting had been "very productive," even though "no figures, no final determinations have been made."

The city would like to see current homeland defense spending formulas, which dole out money on the basis of population, changed to reflect the higher level of threat New York City faces as a target for terrorism.

"We do have in New York some special needs," the mayor said. "We obviously could use every bit of help we can get from Washington."

Ridge called Operation Atlas "a model for other communities to follow," and said an expected war spending bill will also include money for homeland defense, though he did not say how much.

"There is no city in this country that does a better job working across the board to prevent terrorism than the city of New York," Ridge said.

Bloomberg said the city was ready to train personnel from other areas in anti-terror techniques.

"There is a two front war here. One is on the streets of our cities, and one is overseas," Bloomberg said.

The mayor, who had largely shied away from the debate over whether and when to go to war against Iraq, voiced full support for President Bush.

Ignoring the fact that there have been many anti-war protests in New York City, Bloomberg said, "The debate is over ... All New Yorkers are behind the president."

The mayor left the White House to meet with New York's congressional delegation before afternoon visits with federal health and law enforcement officials.

[areafiftyone]

Sorry about the link it should be News Radio 88

[Blue Screen of Death]

Hey Bloomie... send your state Senators to talk to Bush about more money. Maybe they can get around to it when they take a break from the full time job of obstrucionism.

[SJSAMPLE]

Since the NYC city council, with it's most recent condemnation of the pending war, has made itself a player in foreign policy, let them pay for it themselves. They've practically declared themselves to be their own country. Maybe Bloomberg can travel abroad and negotiate NYC's surrender?

[diabolicNYC]

While the condemnation of the war by the city council was abhorrent and pathetic, I think Bloomberg made a wise choice in keeping his trap shut. After all, Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-1 here, and it wouldn't be a wise move for him politically to voice an all-out support of the war, if that was his belief. Since he's probably against the conflict, he did the honorable thing by praising the troops publicly, IMHO.

That being said, it makes me sick to walk around and see freeloading losers spewing their anti-war rhetoric throughout the city. It's like they forgot 9-11 ever happened. That goes for the city council too, especially that half-wit speaker Gifford Miller.