[VRWC_minion]

I actually think he has a point. NY would have come together no matter who was mayor. Its not to say that Ruddy isn't performing well, its to say the credit should go to the people of New York and those who report to Ruddy.

flame away

[DJ88]

You think a clown walking around would have united a city better than Rudy Guiliani? I think you're right that any mayor would have united the citizens of NY. The problem is that Al Sharpton can't just say that, he has to be an A$$ about it and say stupid things (as usual) that will START the racebaiting again and the unnecessary and cruel remarks were uncalled for..but true to form, he says whatever comes to mind.

He's as American as the Terrorists who attacked our country. Ship him back to where he belongs. We don't need his kind here.

[Green]

You are probably right that NY would have come together no matter who was mayor. But "coming together" is not nearly all that is required in order to deal with the tragic events that occured on 9/11. Without good, strong and organized leadership in place, NYC would be in total chaos at the city level dealing with everything that is going on. The citizens coming together is a small part of what Guilliani is having to deal with on a minute by minute basis right now.

[Labyrinthos]

I actually think he has a point. NY would have come together no matter who was mayor.

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. And without leadership, every large, diverse group that comes together will eventually fragment and fall apart. 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. He has proven himself worthy of our trust over and over again. If you really want to appreciate Rudy G's ability to bring and KEEP people together, then try to imagine the state of the city today if Dinkins the Dipskit, Freddie the Ferret, or Greenie had been mayor during this disaster.

[Reborn]

But Rudy never claimed to be a hero, a god, the one who brought them together! He has always given the honor to others. Sheesh, why does anyone even THINK about believing anything that FAT AL says?!

[TheTopRead]

VRWC, no flames necessary, but Fat Al's comments have to be taken in the context they were delivered. It was meant as a "total diss" as my kids would say, and in this environment, his fat butt should be taken to the woodshed.

[patlaw_guy]

I think you are correct. I was never a big fan of Rudy, and he squandered the good will he built up with me with the arrogant, self-serving power grab of trying to squeeze an illegal extra term for himself out of this disaster. Talk about opportunism. I thought we had a government of laws, rather than men, but I may be wrong. Unlike my wife, I do not go so far as to call him a fascist (and in our brave new world, I sure wish she hadn't done that in line at the grocery store).

[Charles Martel]

I actually think he has a point. NY would have come together no matter who was mayor. Its not to say that Rudy isn't performing well, its to say the credit should go to the people of New York and those who report to Rudy.

He does have a point, but instead of saying something simple and respectful to all concerned, he chose to belittle and insult. Unlike the mayor, Sharpton is incapable of rising to the occasion. He knows it, too.

[nutmeg]

Its not to say that Ruddy isn't performing well, its to say the credit should go to the people of New York and those who report to Ruddy.

His name is RUDY, not "Ruddy".

Mayor Giuliani has been performing incredibly well -- above and beyond any other NYC Mayor in recent history -- since the moment he took office in City Hall, not just during this recent tragedy.

Apparently you, Sharpton and many others have NOT seen Mayor Giuliani's recent appearances on television (he's been invited to speak on many shows, from Larry King Live to Saturday Night Live). Rudy always mentions that the credit for bringing the city together in coping with the September 11 tragedy belongs to the people of the City of New York. And he especially gives credit to the FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority Police Department, the NY Fire Commissioner, the NY Police Commissioner, EMTs and other rescue workers.

[In mourning for six years]

Actually I agree with you. New Yorkers would have come together under these circumstances--the difference is that Rudy knew how to organize and channel that unity into the very positive reponse that we see now. ;>)