Daily Archives: 05/22/2011

(Community Matters) Steven and I are staying at the Millenium Hilton, since his client is nearby. I haven’t stayed around Wall Street for years, so kinda enjoying this.

The network of walkways and escalators through buildings & over roads downtown & thru Battery Park remind me of Hong Kong.

pic of World Trade Center rebuild

(Community Matters) A friend emailed me about Koch’s unhappiness with Pres O b/c of middle east speech and reference to 1967 boundaries.

My response: Yeah. Lots of blowback on that one. It was the right thing to say. If folks hear the nuance about swapping parcels it’s not as challenging to those appropriately worried about Israeli security; Pres O absolutely emphasized priority of Israel’s security. Of course, nuance often lost in polispeak. ADL has endorsed the speech, J street too. He’s speaking to AIPAC today; we’re hoping for similar.

The Pres wants to be a true friend to Israel, one that speaks the truth, even when tough, with the long term best interest in mind – as opposed to a friend who just agrees to everything (in my mind w/ less regard for long term best interests).

Posted from my blackberry

update – NYT on Pres’ AIPAC speech

Huff Post on Thurs’ speech – Kirk Rudy quoted