I've been wondering for several years, Mike. Bloomy makes lots of public appearances. He's probably pissed off more residents of the Five Boroughs than at least five predecessors in a row. But he's still alive. Doesn't anybody on your side of the Hudson have any balls any more? I mean, it's not my job, since I don't live under his jurisdiction (and in fact I've crossed the Hudson maybe five times since the dick was elected, always carrying my own cigarettes), but if he was dictating to me like that, he'd be dog meat.

And yes, cop bars get away often with ignoring rules the assholes enforce against anybody else. There's one here in Kearny and one over in Bayonne that I've visited as a guest. I can speak cop-talk (a summer with the Laconia NH PD when I was 17). The world to them is cops, criminals and criminals that haven't been caught yet (the rest of us). By definition, no cop can ever be a criminal, no matter how many "innocents" are killed (since nobody is actually innocent except a cop).

Am I cynical? Nah. You're gonna have to unwind my rage a long way to get me back to merely cynical.

Damn, it's Xmas Eve. I guess I need to up my medication, if I was taking any. (All I have at the moment is beer and blood pressure pills, not much choice in the "Take a stress pill, Dave" department).

Well, Ward, I was leaving the Mad River Bar a few months ago (talking with my songwriting partner John Borg, who's consulting with a new cable channel about original music, and songs--I might have some work!), and who was outside, leaving the Chinese restaurant next-door, but Mayor Mike and his guests? I walked towards him, and one of his bodyguard's gave me the "back-off!" sign. I responded with the universal "no harm here" sign, smiling and spreading hands, and said, "Mr. Mayor!" He turned and shook my outstretched hand. I said, "I voted for you twice!" What a lie! Last mayorial election, I voted for the Libertarian candidate. (Who's platform was mainly allowing smoking in bars again...milewinkgrin

I'm slow in these things. First time I ever shook a billionaire's mitt.

Your cop crew must be more cynical than the guys at Marty O'Briens--to Jimmy the D, et al, humanity is divided into cops, scumbags, and civilians.

They just might be right.

Your cop crew must be more cynical than the guys at Marty O'Briens--to Jimmy the D, et al, humanity is divided into cops, scumbags, and civilians.

They just might be right.

There are good and bad in every walk of life. Those that are bad leave a tarnish and a bad taste. But that's human nature I suppose.

There are good and bad in every walk of life. Those that are bad leave a tarnish and a bad taste. But that's human nature I suppose.

No two ways about it, Brian.