For John, BLUF: Senator Cruz actually nails it. Nothing to see here; just move along.
Republican Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz has taken a lot of heat for his comment about New York Values. Could we pause a moment and think about this? Yes, a decade and a half ago New York City led the nation in standing tall, after terrorists♠ flew airplanes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. But, since then, since America's Mayor, Rudi Guillani was Mayor of NYC, we have had a change. The voters gave New York Andrew Cuomo as Governor and gave New York City Bill de Balsio as Mayor.
But, before we get to Governor Andrew Cuomo, let us talk about Gov. David Paterson and his quip about Radio Host Rush Limbaugh’s plans to move out of New York:
If I knew that would be the result, I would’ve thought about the taxes earlier.It is a good line, but one expects it is also how he feels.
Then, back in January of 2015, Governor Cuomo says of Conservative Republicans:
Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are and they’re the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.I am not "anti-gay", but I am pro-life and I believe assault rifle bans are frivolous. And I believe a lot of New Yorkers are with Governor Cuomo. And I don't believe Governors should be inviting his opponents to leave the State.
As for the Mayor of New York City, I think it is agreed by most observers, that he is a Progressive. He has some good ideas, but he has some bad ones. Here is part of a Wash Post editorial board appraisal of Mayor de Blasio back two years ago ("How ‘progressive’ is Bill de Blasio?"):
To the Democratic left, Mr. de Blasio looks like an authentic liberal antidote to the Obama administration’s compromises — and a harbinger of progressive revival nationwide.To be fair, Senator Ted Cruz did apologize for his remarks, in his own way, as noted by Blogger and Law Professor Ann Althouse. The thing is, I haven't seen the Governor Cuomo apology from last January for suggesting all conservatives should leave the Empire State.
And, to show that New York is still a State where the rights of the individual are subordinated to the power of the Government (does that not suggest Progressive?) we have this from Popular Science last week. "New York Considers Mandating Back Doors into Phones".
Here is the lede:
With a bill reintroduced last week, a New York Assemblyman wants to make it easy for the government to get inside smartphones. It’s a proposal that would mandate smartphone manufacturers be able to unlock the phones they make. The bill comes from Assemblyman Matthew Titone, of Staten Island’s North Shore, and was first introduced last summer. It’s sat in the Consumer Affairs and Protection committee since, so it’s still a long way from becoming law. A cryptographic back door would be bad for cryptography, privacy, and consumers.Yes, Virginia, he is saying that if there is a back door for police there is a back door that can be hacked by the Chinese, which will build upon the information hacked from the Federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM). And that means not Conservative values.
I am not espousing Senator Cruz, but fair is fair and he nailed New York fair and square.
Even if my wife disagrees.
Hat tip to Ann Althouse re the Candidate Cruz apology and to the InstaPundit for the item on back doors for phones.
Regards — Cliff
♠ In order to protect myself from those who would scream "racial discrimination" I will refrain from characterizing the terrorists, but let it suffice to note they were Caucasians.
Don't you invite non-whites to leave America and go where they would be "more comfortable" on this very blog?
ReplyDeleteconfused in lowell
Well, to be fair, I would support anyone not wishing to live here to either double down for change or move.
ReplyDeleteJust today one of my Progressive friends asked me why I live in Massachusetts, given the values I hold. This person noted that I should move to some state where my values fit in better. It was said with the "why don't you just leave" tone of voice that suggested I was not really welcome in this Commonwealth due to my more Conservative/Libertarian views. Fine, that is a perspective.
I, however, think that it is fine to stay and make your case.
I do not advocate non-Caucasians leave the US. I think that race is ridiculous, but one's commitment to the principles of the Declaration of Independence are what define us as Americans.
Regards — Cliff