It seems that republicans are fine with the living standards of US workers being dragged down to the standard of developing nations. used to be that we as a nation tried to encourage elevation of the standard of living in those countries.

There is no substitute for a proper living wage, one that includes affordable healthcare and the ability to raise a family. How else can a country be measured?

Posted by: Guvna at November 18, 2008 10:37 AM in response to Union-Free One Hanson Place: the Web Site

Zinka, I think its a combination: Floodlights on the column, and fiber optic lighting focused on the bronze flame seated on the top of the urn. I took a good look at it last night with binoculars from my window.

Posted by: Guvna at November 18, 2008 10:32 AM in response to Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Rededicated

Dont mind me. As I stated above, I am genuinely happy to have it restored and illuminated. I was just a victim of marketing by the conservancy. I am over it now :o)

Posted by: Guvna at November 17, 2008 5:40 PM in response to Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Rededicated

Here is an excerp from the restoration plans: "The bronze flame on top of the urn will be illuminated by discreet fiber optic fixtures to provide a soft lighting effect, similar to the 1905 lighting design." So I guess they did what they planned to do. It is unfortunate that they deem that to be relighting an eternal flame. I guess it would've been less dramatic for them to have announced that they would be providing a soft lighting effect to the urn on the top of the column. LOL

Posted by: Guvna at November 17, 2008 5:37 PM in response to Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Rededicated

Zinka, yep thats it. There was once some talk about using some sort of fiber optic technology in relighting the flame, but I guess it didnt materialize.

Posted by: Guvna at November 17, 2008 2:42 PM in response to Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Rededicated

I too was there, see it from most rooms in my apartment, and am generally pleased to see it back open to the public and illuminated. I must say though, it was misleading for them to say that the eternal flame would be re-lit! How anti-climatic when they turned on the spotlights instead.

Posted by: Guvna at November 17, 2008 12:40 PM in response to Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Rededicated

Which fool really thinks McCain wont raise everyone's taxes? Same with Obama. This election, perhaps more than any others, will see the tax promises of the winner be the first promise to meet its end at the hands of reality. We, as a country, are deep in the shit. No amount of trickle down or trickle up is going to get us out. We need money to pay for infrastructure improvements, money to fight wars, money to improve education, money to fund new energy policy, money to fix the financial mess, the list goes on and on.

Rich people moan about their proportinate burden, but take a closer look at the burden on the middle class and the poor: there is no room for much more of an increase in their taxes. We rely on them to drive the economy, but they need disposable income. The rich have far more room than anyone else. Indeed, many of them will not even notice the increase, as noted above. Reagan had to go back and increase taxes on the rich, Bush Sr, and Clinton too. It makes sense because it is the only true option, and even then the rich didnt suddenly become poor. They did well when the middle class got stronger.

Posted by: Guvna at October 22, 2008 11:59 AM in response to A McCain Outpost in Blue Park Slope

Not the time to buy. Fire sales are on the horizon. Wait if you can.

Where's The What? I thought he was living for these days to come? Maybe he lost his home too?

Posted by: Guvna at October 6, 2008 3:01 PM in response to Brooklyn Bargains? Condo Price Cuts

Politicians listening to constituents, that might catch on. While I was originally inclined to panic and insist that the plan be approved, I now find myself thinking to hell with the bailout. Let everything go to crap and see how it all ends up. Feels invigorating.

Posted by: Guvna at September 30, 2008 4:27 PM in response to A Letter From The Inside

the discipline that work requires can carry over into other areas of your life. Janitorial culture? What, like getting to work on time? Doing a good job? Being polite? Our janitor is all of those things, so that would be a great foundation to give these kids.

Considering all of the bad press kids have been getting lately, it is good to see that some of them are making positive choices that help the community, and help themselves.

Posted by: Guvna at August 27, 2008 10:30 AM in response to Bed Stuy Program for Teens and Brownstoners

Stupid prank by a total ass.

Posted by: Guvna at August 18, 2008 11:00 PM in response to Closing Bell: Mr. Bubbles Strikes Again

Chaka, great history there. However, I dont know about the assertion re the vast majority of West Indians being considered African Americans. Would that be true of East Flatbush too? All I am saying is that there is a distinct West Indian flavor to the area. The music, the food, the businesses, etc all show west Indian influences. Your post seemed to imply that this would not be apparent in CH, because it was all assimilated into and became African American.

Posted by: Guvna at August 15, 2008 3:13 PM in response to What’s it Like in Crown Heights?

it is somehow 'managed' by the MTA, though I wouldnt be surprised to learn that they subcontracted that out to smaller independents who keep the highest safety standards. *ahem*

Posted by: Guvna at August 15, 2008 2:08 PM in response to Access-A-Ride Van Burns Up on 8th Avenue

Good to see that the Access-a-ride folks properly maintain their vehicles . . .

Dont mind me. I'm biased against them because they always seem to cut me off

Posted by: Guvna at August 15, 2008 12:01 PM in response to Access-A-Ride Van Burns Up on 8th Avenue

All I want to know is who will wash all those dishes? Even with a dishwashing machine someone still has to leoad it, lol.

Good for them. Not an idea suited to me, but if it works for them, why not.

Posted by: Guvna at August 15, 2008 10:28 AM in response to Brooklyn Co-Housing Moving Closer to Reality?

Duality? Arent you forgetting the huge West Indian population that lives there too?

Posted by: Guvna at August 15, 2008 9:32 AM in response to What’s it Like in Crown Heights?

I knew it wouldnt be long before someone gave this thing a name. "Demographic inversion". I'm not sure that it is whats happening in Bed-Stuy, but I was out there this weekend and saw first hand how quickly and deeply gentrification has penetrated that nabe. Will people continue to accept so much displacement? These days it is easier to organize resistance to things than at any other time in our history, so I would think we'll be seeing a lot of action before we get anywhere near "the poor living out of sight and largely forgotten in some new kind of high-rise projects beyond the city border, with the wealthy huddled in gated enclaves in the center."

Posted by: Guvna at August 8, 2008 9:49 AM in response to News Flash: Everyone Wants to Live in the City

11217, I hear you, but I think the loss of the country diner hurt more than getting the new chase helped. There is already a chase on washington and flushing, and several other banks on myrtle as noted.

Posted by: Guvna at August 5, 2008 5:57 PM in response to Streetlevel: Chase Gobbles Up Myrtle Corner

Not very exciting. Chase wasnt desperately needed since we already have Citi and Bank America, and recently added Carver, but I guess Chase's addition will make chase customers happy. I know one in my building who will be overjoyed.

Its a shame we had to lose the diner to get another bank, now that I think of it.

Posted by: Guvna at August 5, 2008 5:29 PM in response to Streetlevel: Chase Gobbles Up Myrtle Corner

I wouldnt count on this developer doing the right thing. In addition to the debacle on Clinton Avenue mentioned by Mr B, he has certainly screwed the restaraunt next door to this construction with his very delayed construction overshadowing their eatery.

Posted by: Guvna at August 5, 2008 3:37 PM in response to Development Watch: 175 Vanderbilt Avenue Revisited