'Angry' Anti-Ratner Protest at the Brooklyn Museum
Between 80 and 100 people showed up to a Develop Don’t Destroy-organized protest outside the Brooklyn Museum last night, according to Atlantic Yards Report, to publicly decry the cultural institution’s decision to honor Bruce Ratner at a gala. AY Report’s Norman Oder says the protest “was notably angry,” with some in the crowd holding up…
Between 80 and 100 people showed up to a Develop Don’t Destroy-organized protest outside the Brooklyn Museum last night, according to Atlantic Yards Report, to publicly decry the cultural institution’s decision to honor Bruce Ratner at a gala. AY Report’s Norman Oder says the protest “was notably angry,” with some in the crowd holding up signs that said things like “Ratner is a liar” or calling the developer a “con artist” or proclaiming Atlantic Yards a “dung deal.” In a separate post, Oder notes that the Forest City Ratner Companies Foundation gave the museum $100,000 in 2005 and another $100,000 in 2006; the foundation’s donations from last year have not yet been disclosed. The gala last night cost from $500 to $1000+ a plate.
“Shame!” Crowd Outside Museum Shouts “Ratner’s Bad for Brooklyn” {AY Report]
Photo by Brit in Brooklyn.
“So now you are playing god?
You decide what a ‘few’ people are “worth.”
That is not selfish?”
No not me or you – but yes – us, it is called society/government/politics – its called Life.
Everyday there are decisions made by people all over that determine where people live (zoning, landmarking, etc), force people to move (taxes, job losses, etc), what people are worth (civil juries, your employer, medical people, insurance co, etc) – in fact elected (and unelected people) make decisions that are much more profound then whether someone will have to move (in this case from a home they havent lived in for more than 1-2yrs, at a profit of 100% or more) – decisions such as War, Global Climate Change, Food/Ethanol subsidies/taxes, Health Insurance Coverage, Child custody, etc, etc…..
You cant be so naive as to think that there is anything so unique to Emminent Domain that takes it out of the realm of decisions that we as a society give to others ALL THE TIME. So yes collectively it seems that we have determined that paying a handful of people more then fair compensation and making them move, so that 2.5M people can have a world class entertainment venue, new housing and office space and the covering of a ugly eyesore – is a fair trade-off.
When the NIMBYs actually can show through elections and/or referendums that society/”the community” thinks it isnt fair – then and only then would I feel that it is “wrong” to “take” someone’s home under these circumstances –
Sorry, 3:12, I gave more than 15% — if you deduct my donations to DDDB, it’s still more than 13% of income. I even gave money to the Museum — won’t be repeating that mistake next year. They have Ratner’s money; they don’t need mine.
Of course, if I stole some of those fancy placemats like Brooklyn’s first lady, I could donate even more:
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/04/takashi-murakami-jamie-snow-placemat-8000-kanye-west-marty-markowitz.php
Paterson has one t! Get it straight jerk off.
And, Markowitz is the bobble head cheerleader, not political leader.
Frivilous? Have you seen what was going on INSIDE that museum last night. Ew. Gross.
One has to think that the more you improperly make use of the phrase NIMBY, that you are merely trying to defunct any meaning from it.
It is working.
Sorry, but in YOUR world?
In YOUR world I hope the fairies treat you well.
Lies – no one at that protest gives anything near 15% to charity (DDDB doesnt count as charity)
Last I looked Patterson hasn’t opposed AY – and if I remember my history correct it was actually Spitzer who (supported AY) was elected.
So lets see – virtually every Brooklyn Council person (except for James) supported AY (in some reasonable similar form w/ an arena) and ALL were re-elected; Marty Markowitz was re-elected overwhelming me – and he is practically the political face of AY; the Mayor supports AY and was re-elected overwhelmingly; Most state reps supported AY and were re-elected; Spitzer supported AY was elected, etc, etc, etc. Clearly in the manner in which “the community” is heard – AY was either supported or a non-factor in “the community”. You nimby’s represent YOURSELF and you do not have the political backing to do anything – so you resort to the frivolous use of a corrupt and inefficient judiciary to delay, delay, delay – until (you hope) it is too expensive to go forward – Sorry but in my world it is YOU who is anti-democratic.
Sorry to be so late, but:
D-U-N-G D-E-A-L!
Perhaps your friends are wealthier than mine. Most people I know are in their late 20s and live with roommates. Most don’t have a clue about economics, but when you explain to them that it is projects like this that will ultimately allow them to afford to live alone, they suddenly are very supportive.
LOL!!!!! Where are on EARTH did you get this notion from?
Do tell.
Your white 20 something friends are not going to get anything. Hell I would be all for it if I thought that were an issue.
Nor your hard working African American friends.
Rich folks, that is who will live there.
You really are delusional if you think that this proposal has any room for you and your friends, sweet child!
1:45
We already involuntarily give half our income to the government in taxes. I expect that the government will make it easier for developers to build housing so that I and my future family will be able to enjoy a decent home at a reasonable price someday.
The ideal of private property ended as soon as the first zoning laws were enacted. Except for a brief time in the 1920s, this has had a perpetual housing crisis ever since. Take your property is no different than taking away your right to do with it as you see fit.
Unless you are advocating all zoning laws be repealed, I have no sympathy for you as you would be a hypocrite.
1:19
Well, I’m 30 and most of my friends either are ignorant of the project or support it. Yeah, I have a few friends who parrot the rest of the nonsense on blog land, but when I explain the facts to them they understand the benefit of the project.
Perhaps your friends are wealthier than mine. Most people I know are in their late 20s and live with roommates. Most don’t have a clue about economics, but when you explain to them that it is projects like this that will ultimately allow them to afford to live alone, they suddenly are very supportive.
Some will say “Oh, 9,000 apartments isn’t enough”. Of course the simple response to that is “What about 50,000? Or 100,000?” Eventually, even the most brain dead person will come to realize that if we built 20 or 30 projects of a scale similar to the AY project – the housing crisis would be over. You’d have to be pretty heartless to not think that is a good thing. Fortunately, I wouldn’t describe any of my friends in that fashion.
I really think that Kenya West Said it best
And I didn’t even try to work a job
Represent the mob
At the same time thirsty on the grind
Chi state of mind
Lost my momma, lost my mind
+My life, my love+ that’s not mine
Why you ain’t signed?
Wasn’t my time
Leave me alone, work for y’all
Half of it’s yours, half of it’s mine
Only one to ball
Never one to fall
Gotta get mine
Gotta TAKE mine