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CAMPUS CONTROVERSY

Bloomberg Defends Anti-Israel Event

The mayor is backing the free speech rights of a group calling for an Israeli boycott

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by Dain Fitzgerald

Staff Writer t

Image: Politix

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is playing defense today, and speaking up for the right of a Brooklyn college to host a gathering perceived by some as harshly anti-Israel.

The "Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions" event planned by Brooklyn College Thursday night seeks to urge companies and individuals to reject Israeli establishments over the country's treatment of Palestinians. As the New York Daily News reports, event organizers also oppose a two-state solution, and demand that Palestinians be allowed to return to their historic homes.

It's a position that while upsetting to some, like certain city council members who have threatened to withhold funding from the college, is being defended by Bloomberg:

"If you want to go to a university where the government decides what kinds of subjects are fit for discussion, I suggest you apply to a school in North Korea," said the mayor.

But that isn't sitting well some of Bloomberg's fellow politicos, including New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who rather unsuccessfully attempts to turn Bloomberg's idea on its head:

"What the hell is he talking about?" asked Hikind rhetorically. "Only Mayor Bloomberg knows what's right and good for us."

Via the New York Daily News.
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Comments (view in Forum)

  • Denizen_Kate
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    @Vance1 - I thought this discussion was about Bloomberg, but then I remembered how you like to bring Obama-bashing into each and every comment thread.
  • GmanGSW
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    Unfortunately, he also is a Billionnaire who has control of the NYC Police force, which he literally said, then retracted, that he is "in control of the 7th largest military force in the world..." Which he really feels IS true and, arguably, is! He also, given all of his money, having a good stake of several media corporations, not to mention his own, owning many legislators in various localities in NY runs more than just NYC, rather a lot of NY, itself! He also is SCARED of We, the People, being completely against our 2nd amendment Right(s), and now going out of office, is going further against OUR 2nd amendment rights. He has personal bodyguards who carry firearms, but knows that We, the People, are a PROBLEM while we are able, and have the RIGHT to be "armed." He and many other of the wealthy, elite, are very scared, and should be. However, he also has his hand in the pockets of many of the country's legislators = there is easily tyranny in the govt, brought about by people like Bloomberg, Soros, the Koch brothers, etc. Pushing their agendas and making ours (we, the people) more secondary to their interests. Yes, we get one vote, Bloomberg gets a vote, and has the money to go beyond just 1 vote, but to have, essentially, several votes, being able to PERSONALLY speak with other state's legislators & push their agendas, given their money & media influence. Btw, the guy has the RIGHT to the 1st amendment, but it is sad that he can have SUCH a powerful VOICE that speaks for the wealthy few, vs. the "rest of us." I call my congressmen weekly, if not other day at times; where as Bloomberg has the $s to sit and TALK with MY Senators, that are not either of New York's Senators, and only one wouldn't listen to him.. but, wait, he's a multi-millionaire, himself! Sorry about the run on, but Bloomberg, also in his anti-Israeli talk, actually is heard by more then just a few people, rather many, given the "power" that he holds. Lastly, you really ought to hear about his feelings, and others who are uber-weaithy, know better how "WE, the People" should be "run," along with how "they" can better run "our money" than we know how to do... I was not surprised, at all, about what Romney said regarding the 47% of Americans... Bloomberg has his own opinions beyond just trying to disarm us... Scarey, very scarey!

  • View all 7 replies >

  • u
    Libertyiskey
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    I don't agree with Bloomberg creating a nanny state with his anti-gun laws and stupid soda ban, but I agree with him and this quote says it all.

    "If you want to go to a university where the government decides what kinds of subjects are fit for discussion, I suggest you apply to a school in North Korea," said the mayor.

    Just because you dislike what this group is saying doesn't mean their freedoms should be infringed.
  • u
    Yank
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    Some times Bloomberg hits it right on the head. If the pro-israel faction wants to counter it, they can have a rally as well. There are too many people who think being anti-isreal is the same thing as being anti-semitic.
  • jessejaymes
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    @Yank I wonder why so many of you who support the Palestinians "regaining their homeland" never mention that ALL of Jordan and a bit of Syria was also the Palestinian "Homeland" yet why do I never hear you complaining and griping about THAT like you do with Israel. Israel took that land in a war with the Arab world. We took the land from the Indians. Same thing. Except Israel did not ask for the war, we did. I am not Jewish nor Israeli but I can read and I know the Palestinians for who they are. They have ALWAYS been the terrorists of the Middle East. Long before there was an Israel. It is anti Semitic to be anti Israel. You're supporting Islamic terrorists. It's that simple.
  • martydotcom
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    @jessejaymes this isn't a historical who's right or wrong. The fact that Palestinians have alway been the N word of the Middle East is irrelevant to this thread. What we're talking about is Bloomberg supporting an anti Israel event to take place. at Brooklyn College. Why This is debatable mystifies me why Councilman Dov ? wants to limit dialog to only what he wants to hear on the subject is ludicrous
  • jessejaymes
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    @martydotcom It's all relevant to we wouldn't allow a pro Al-queda rally/seminar/guy with a bullhorn to go off on Israel. It's the same thing with the Pali supporters. This is very little different to a KKK rally as far as I'm concerned. We have a treaty with Israel and I'm very big on keeping our treaties since we almost never do. If the govt give notice and terminates a treaty in responsible fashion I can live with that. But while we have that treaty we have an obligation to not allow the aiding and abetting of those who would destroy Israel. It's a matter of honor to me. We have a treaty. Taxpayer funding goes to that school. If they receive no taxes they have a right. if they do, they don't.
  • u
    Yank
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    @jessejaymes what do you call the Israelis when the build their illegal settlements and displace the Palestinians already there? How about when they use TANKS when the Palestinians refuse to move?

  • View all 20 replies >

  • jessejaymes
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    City politics have no business in International politics. A good example of this is Santa Monica California and Berkley California. Those two cities are virtual bastions of DICTATORSHIPS to their common citizens but yet have the audacity to take the rest of the world to task for being "repressive". Bloomberg is wrong.
  • bsking
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    This blow hard Nanny Bloomberg is a hypocrite of the tallest order.

    He says if you want to go to university that makes the decisions for you.... blah blah blah liberal blah

    ..... and not 1 mention of him making decisions for all of New York on how much soda they can drink and how they can protect themselves.
  • marine1
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    Don't care for bloomberg but in this case he is sticking up for the 1st amendment, wish he was man enough to do the same for the 2nd amendment. Chances are he will chamge his position when something is said that he does not want promoted.
  • marine1
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    A thought for you to ponder. Do you think a a common sense, practical person with principal and a commited sense of responsibility could ever make it in politics?

  • View all 8 replies >

  • Arumizy
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    Love how when Israel defends themselves they are the bad guys, Palestine shoots rockets at them, Israel responds and Israel is the big bad bully. These kids are idiots and Bloomburg is an anti-semite.
  • u
    ASISEEIT2
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    Bloomberg supports any group that is anti-American,an example, his support for a Muslim mosque to be built right next to 9/11, twin-towers where 3,000.Americans were murdered.

  • View all 13 replies >

  • Keyjo
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    He is right to support free speech.
    As far as his soda ban, well, we have speed limits, too. I don't agree with speed limits, but there they are. Sometimes the government imposes restrictions for the good of the public.
  • Keyjo
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    @culinary
    I thought it was to fight ugly obesity and diabetes.
    People can just buy a 32 oz bottleor the same price.
  • o
    NTBFW
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    Wait a minute. I do support the first amendment. But isn't this racist hate speech? How can public money be used for that? Would he let the kkk have a rally there? Or a prayer group?whatever you do you have to be consistent.
  • u
    Yank
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    How is it racist or hate speech? Not supporting Isreal and calling them to task for their human rights record (while hypocritical) is not anti-semitic.
  • o
    NTBFW
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    @Yank I don't know. Racism has gotten confusing lately. It's ok to hate Israel? But racist to hate Jews? So as long as I hate Palestine and their terrorist offshoots its ok. But to hate Palestinians? If I support Israel am I racist toward Palestinians? If being anti Israel isn't racist then the first amendment protects them.
  • Denizen_Kate
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    "How can public money be used for that?" What public money? What money, period? How much does it cost to gather and walk around carrying signs and listening to speeches?
  • Dan_Tien
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    When Israel was first established, it was supported by "the Soviet Union, the Communist Party, labor unions, radical university professors, progressive entertainers and others whose knees automatically jerked in a leftward direction."
    Now supporting Israel is a right-wing cause and criticizing it is left-wing. Why is that?
  • jessejaymes
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    That is something I simply do not understand. When I was young the right win HATED Israel and all the liberals were in LOCKSTEP with Israel. Now it's exactly the opposite. There is no rhyme or reason for this.
  • stepped_in_it
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    @jessejaymes Though the republican party hasn't changed that much in the last 50 years or so, the democratic party sure has. Both my parents were staunch, working, union supportive democrats. Remember Mom crying that fateful day in Nov, 1963 (I was 7 yrs old). They never would believe that their working Democratic party has changed to this. The Repubs are for the rich, the Democrats are (now) for the poor (entitled). We need a 3rd party for the working middle class before that class disappears. Maybe the United Workers Party (think the Chinese would sue for copy right infringement?)
  • jessejaymes
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    @stepped_in_it I honestly don't think this country can be saved. Between the ultra rich owning both parties in congress and the side social issues that the Dems are willing to spend 10 million per person trying to enforce legislating people's minds, I think we're done.
  • u
    Hireman
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    I don't get Bloomberg. On one hand he says if you want government to control your life, you should go to N Korea. On the other, come to New York and attempt to buy a large soda. Where's the consistency?
  • kathyparsell
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    It is obvious only to the beholder, millions voted for him, how then can they be wrong? It is a democracy right??? Sometimes I think I live on an alternative planet...possibly an alternative universe. Stupidly seems to rule universally because nobody wants to think beyond their own back door!
  • Medicinebow
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    This man continually decides what he thinks is fit for other people. Zero respect for the man. He makes it difficult to agree with his positions just because it's him.
  • Denizen_Kate
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    "If you want to go to a university where the government decides what kinds of subjects are fit for discussion, I suggest you apply to a school in North Korea," said the mayor.

    That's the first time he's ever sounded like a real New Yorker, IMO. It sounds like something Ed Koch would say.
  • RoFroh
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    @Knightmare they have the right to soda just 16oz at a time.....yeah I know it's totally stupid....just another example of the nanny state we've become
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