ACORN Protesters Storm The Beacon Tower
The anti-gentrification movement stepped it up a notch yesterday with ACORN protesters storming the open house at the Beacon Tower, Shaya Boymelgreen’s 23-story condo development at 85 Adams in Dumbo. What a shame! What a pity! We can’t live in New York City, the 50-odd protesters chanted while blanketing the sales office with flyers that…
The anti-gentrification movement stepped it up a notch yesterday with ACORN protesters storming the open house at the Beacon Tower, Shaya Boymelgreen’s 23-story condo development at 85 Adams in Dumbo. What a shame! What a pity! We can’t live in New York City, the 50-odd protesters chanted while blanketing the sales office with flyers that read, Beacon Tower developers get rich off the backs of working families.” The protesters main gripe? That luxury projects like the Beacon still receive tax breaks in a holdover from a program started in the 1970s to stimulated development. The ambushed Corcoran agents manning the open house called in the cops who removed the protesters. Prospective buyers didn’t appear to be too sympathetic to the cause. “Tell them to get jobs and go live in the projects,” said Jenny Malone, who was there checking out apartments. “People just want something for nothing.”
Activists Protest Dumbo Condos [Metro]
More coverage in the print edition.
Well, I can’t say that I agree that the growing income gap doesn’t negatively affect well-being, but yes. Gates does practice serious philanthrophy, as do many others. It does have a positive net effect but in context, not everyone will benefit. With social programs, I think yes, but with things like the arts, I have my doubts. For instance- Dance is supported by philanthrophy but still, getting tickets can put a performance beyond the means of many. Whether or not that will change, I don’t know. But I believe strongly that the humanities make a society livable and human. I guess there will always be inequalities- but I hope we as a country would care enough to make sure that people have a roof over their heads,food on their table,and humane treatment.
Yes, could it be:
“Your numbers reflect the statistics but the context is that no one’s well being- for good or ill- is affected. (Unless of course Bill gave them big checks as a gift).”
Exactly. The fact that there is a growing income gap does not negatively affect anyone’s well being. And as it happens that people like Gates happen to give very large and effective contributions to philanthropy, you have a very positive net effect.
I understand exactly what you are saying- but I also put those stats in context. And your Bill Gates illustration is a perfect example- the numbers and the reality are 2 different issues. You and I are approaching the same answer from two different angles. Your numbers reflect the statistics but the context is that no one’s well being- for good or ill- is affected. (Unless of course Bill gave them big checks as a gift).
I’m really sorry, but there are hard numbers that are generally accepted for looking at wages and incomes. They are meticulously collected.
You can be a creative statician when doing small samples against a large group. But this data is pretty good. Not to say that there aren’t a few holes, but there has been a clear upwards trend for a very long time for united states citizens in terms of both income and purchasing power at all levels.
I have been trying to explain to you that the growth of income and the growth of wealth disparity are two *separate* ideas. I don’t think this is a contested idea. Please review the example I gave you with numbers above if it is not clear.
With this I give up:
If Bill Gates enteres and leaves a room many times over it causes the income and wealth gap to fluctuate dramatically. That does not affect the well being of anyone in the room.
And I guess you went to the School of Condescension. Seems to me you began the insults by implying I was petty. I simply responded in kind. I’m childish, not petty.
FYI- I never said falsify data. Please don’t inflict your conspiracy fears on me. But any statistician worth his salt will tell you that data is what you make of it (I guess that would be interpretive dance, no?). And another FYI- I did study it, as applied to societies. So have fun- love the tutu- and I think we’ve both said pretty much all we can.
“You’re probably as inept at that…”
Notice the patern: Ideas and facts presented. Result: frustrated insults.
“… as you are at social theory …”
Is that in the Pretentious Studies school?
“stats don’t always reflect the reality on the ground. Stats are numbers- easily manipulated numbers …”
Oh, here we go. So all of the big data services and sources, like BBerg, FactSet, Compustat, the bls, dept labor, etc are all part of an elaborate scheme to falsify the data – at the same time and in the same way, with perfect coordination. Now that’s good.
Oh please don’t do interpretive dance, JoshK. You’re probably as inept at that as you are at social theory and economics. Trust me- I do understand median functions. What you don’t understand is that theory and stats don’t always reflect the reality on the ground. Stats are numbers- easily manipulated numbers with a variety of interpretations. If you didn’t learn that when you were taught statistics I can only advise you to go back to school.
anon 12:55- “It seems that you have very low expectations of what some poor people can accomplish and think that social forces are too powerful to overcome, even as you point out that many people in those very conditions (i.e. recent immigrants) manage to improve their lives.”
Way way wrong.I have very high expectations but I have seen how social forces can wreck a life, even from birth. Again- if you read what I am saying, it’s not that people shouldn’t be held responsible for what their lives are, but a little compassion would certainly enable those with a harder path to do better. And for the record, prejudice and racism keep a lot of people on the margins. White people hate to admit how much it comes into play- and they do play, subtly and insidiously. (and no- I am white). Many of them think its simply a matter of economics and education, but racial prejudice goes far beyond that. Most white people haven’t got a clue to how damaging, and often crippling prejudice is. I’ve seen it, I endured it during my interracial marriage, and I have friends who have been profoundly affected by it. Black professional friends who went to Ivy League colleges, by the way. I’m with CHP- a bleeding heart liberal, and proud of it. I don’t have the fixit answers either but I do know when you give a person no hope, you get nothing in return.
I thought teh ineterpretive dance comment was pretty hillarious actually…just a blog no need to be all up tight and pc
“but that doesn’t mean you have to insult her intelligence either.”
Sorry, but simple stats like this *ARE* black and white. You need to understand a simple median function, and then be able to cut percentiles.
“… B2B has shown herself to be a passionate, caring person … but snide snarkiness doesn’t become you.”
Sure, a few internet posts prove that without question. And your self important-tut tutting, that’s just too funny.