High life

25 October 2008

Feeling the pinch

And speaking of billionaires, the midget mayor of Noo Yawk, who made his billions on the up and up, is trying to change the law that says more than two times is a no-no. Running for mayor, that is. Those who know billionaires best understand that they hate to lose. Bloomberg has not been a bad mayor, but the point is that New Yorkers voted twice for term limits, and both times voted by large margins that important offices — including that of mayor and of 51 Council members — should be limited to two consecutive terms.

In steps another billionaire, Ronald Lauder, son of the queen of cream Estée, and brother of the very nice CEO, Leonard Lauder. Ronnie baby is known for his lack of smarts, but $3 billion at least gets one a hearing. Ronald Lauder calls himself a public advocate — aren’t we all? — and was the first one to start the campaign for term limits. For some strange reason, he has now changed his mind and wants his fellow billionaire to run for a third consecutive term. Bloomberg spent 100 million greenbacks to win his first two terms, and will probably spend another 100 for his third. But it came down to a 14-year-old, Rachel Trachtenberg, to hit the nail on the head. During a Council meeting attended by the mayor, she got up and said, ‘I hope you will choose honesty over bribery and keep term limits as they are.’ Poor Rachel. She probably still believes in Santa Claus and no one has bothered to tell her that billionaires do not.

And now for some disturbing news that has nothing to do with billionaires. Last Sunday 19 October, I went early to the park for some speed-walking and exercise. On my way back I stopped at the 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue playground, where my grandchildren were supposed to be with their nanny and grandmother. They were nowhere in sight so I turned to leave when I noticed a young black man lurking behind a tree at the end of the playground exposing himself. One’s first reaction to such city sights is one of disgust, followed by that of anger. I looked around — there were at least 50 children and parents — and no one was paying any attention. So I screamed at him and told him I was going to call the fuzz. The perv was arrogant. ‘Go ahead and call them,’ he challenged me. Of course there are never any cops around when needed, so I ran back towards the playground, opened the gate and gave chase. I must admit I didn’t relish catching him. I knew where his hands had been and they would probably be around my neck once I tackled him. But thankfully he was faster than me and quickly disappeared down the path. When I remonstrated with the adults who had gathered for doing nothing, I got the typical Noo Yawk excuse: ‘I don’t want no trouble...’

I’m not surprised. This is what our society has become. Had the perv been an old white man the story would have been different. Who said we have a race problem?

Harry Macklowe

In his recent "Paradise Lost" column, Taki said that the US businessman Harry Macklowe had declared bankruptcy. This was untrue. Mr Macklowe has not declared bankruptcy. We apologise for our error.