Broken Windows....

I just watched the trailer for Giuliani Time and its crazy being brought back to another era. Its been almost ten years since the late 90s, since Diallo, Louima, Burgess, the Brooklyn Museum and all the bull shit we were going through dealing with him. I'm glad the movie is coming out especially now, because its like everyone (i.e. the mainstream media) seems to have forgotten what an ass he was. Michael Atkinson in his review in the voice makes the point very clearly that his career was a shell of itself when the Towers were hit. He had just pulled out of the race for Senator because of his cancer, a race he was not guaranteed to win, he was in the middle of a marital scandal basically keeping two women in Gracie Mansion (or had his wife moved out and Judith Nathan moved in? I don't remember) and he was limping to a weak finish of his last term. He didn't really have a future in politics after the mayoralty and likely would have faded from public view. Morbidly, 9/11 gave him the comeback of a lifetime. People seem to remember "heroic mayor" to "heroic national leader" forget that late 90s period through 2001 was a very vulnerable period for him. The shit was catching up with him, the callousness, the bullying, the subtle and not so subtle racism, the infringments on free speech, the scandals... people were beginning to see through him.

Then the towers were hit.

Here's a rather uncharacteristically partisan and politically post to the Wagner List Serve I wrote today. I don't think anyone will be offended unless there are Giuliani-era staffers getting their MPA. Oh well. fuck it.

"Giuliani Time" is premiering this weekend at the Sunshine Landmark Cinemas.

I urge you all to please support and spread the word about this film. As Rudy Giuliani continues to travel nationally gather support and funds for a run at the White House its important that we are able to counter the revisionist post 9-11 history that places him as the lone heroic savior of New York City and remember that 90's era New York City, while an economic and cultural renaissance in many ways, was also a very painful time for many New Yorkers, particularly the poor and people of color.

Personally, it was difficult being led by a man that did not seem to waste an opportunity to show many, communities of color especially, that he did not care about us. The press has alarmingly painted him as a “socially liberal” republican because he is pro-choice and pro-gay rights. That’s great but our next president should be something more than not-George W. Bush.

Wayne Barrett in his bio and the film go into better details about his policies but living in New York City in the 90s I will personally NEVER forget or forgive:

∑ his callous disbanding of a special commission on police brutality (one that he assembled in the wake of the Abner Louima assault), promptly after being re-elected to a second term, mocking their recommendations.
∑ His attempt to discredit posthumously Patrick Dorismond, a victim of a botched police buy-and-bust operation, by releasing his SEALED juvenile record of
∑ His repeated attacks on the CUNY system and access to higher education for the poor and working class; eliminating remedial education at the 4-year colleges and instituting ludicrous CUNY assessment standardized tests to students already ADMIITTED to 4-year colleges.
∑ His suggestion that the shooting of Anthony Burgess, a kid holding a candy bar by a Federal agent, was somehow the kid’s fault for being out so late.
∑ His attacks on artist vendors outside the Met (the only good artists are apparently dead ones, and ones that don’t offend his good taste-re: Chris Ofili)

Watch the film, tell other people about it. I’ve been horrified to watch this man become a national hero simply for being the mayor during the most horrific event in this city’s history.

Here is a link to the film:
http://www.giulianitime.com/

And a review in the Voice:
http://villagevoice.com/film/0619,atkinson,73162,20.html