I have newfound respect for Rudy Guiliani

[JohnnyThompson]

So early Saturday morning around 3-4 am, we were told to evacuate our homes because of the north L.A. fires. I am only 21 years old and am born and raised in Los Angeles. Never have I experienced famine, war, a tragic loss or economic hardship. So to me this was the toughest few hours of my life in that I felt completely helpless and overwhelmed. I felt bad for those folks that had already lost their homes. (Fire is really the worst way to lose a home since it turns everything into dust unlike an earthquake or a hurricane, for example.) I was also worried about my own home, but not so much as the flames were quite a few miles away.

Anyway, when the chief of the Fire Department and other high ranked rescue officials got in front of the camera and announced the developments of the day, I couldn't help but think about 9/11. There is absolutely no way one can compare today's events in L.A. to 9/11 but I got a better understanding of what New Yorkers might have been feeling at that time. And to me, just seeing those officials with their stoic and sober demeanor but with a sense of resolve made me feel a little better.

I know Giuliani is revered for the heroism he exhibited in those dire times, and rightfully so, but after today I understand that sentiment a little better.

If anyone has a similar story to share please feel free. Maybe we can get some New Yorkers to express their impressions of Rudy Giuliani.

 

[bodie54]

While I can most surely empathize with your general point, I think you might want to reconsider your elevated level of respect for Giuliani. In the wake of 9/11 he came under heavy and sustained attack from a great many New York firefighters; attacks which helped undermine his "hero of 9/11" presidential campaign strategy.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1517220.ece

 

[Facetious]

High ranking public officials, are notorious for grandiose - showboaty behavior during a time of need, particularly in the lens of the media. Remember, they're politicians first and public servants second, maybe third.

I've seen many of these, "in the field, pre - press conference reports and how they are conducted, all the stand up straight posturing, the deepening of voices, the battalion chief on the 5 - 6 & 11, offering an explanation, as to why his dept cannot reach a given area because of downed power lines . . .
"PG & E is on it, I haven't heard back yet with . . .:ring: bat chief's cell phone :ring: . . .confirmation - "yea, this is the chief ! Oh great ! thank you very much ! bye. Well, I have some great news, that was the PG & E District supervisor and the power is off now ! Our engine company strike teams, previously in staging disposition, are currently rolling into the areas previously deemed unsafe, and are now ready to defend the homes. meanwhile - "Hey, this is a big surprise to have the governor here ! Hello, Mr. Governor, what an odd coincidence to see you here, I wasn't expecting to :exchange of winks: - all this while on camera.

This ^ is a fairly accurate example of a press conf that I saw back in May. I was so amused by it, I don't think that I'll ever forget it. All of the delightful coincidences, embellished, on cam situations, and self congratulatory dialog etc. I guess it's like anything else, when you get the guys together . . :jester:
I'm certain that Rudy G. had a crew that made it look like he took an extremely rough route to the high road when he went on camera. I'm not knocking R.G. here, that's just an opinion.

In any event, I sincerely hope that you, your family, friends, pets and homestead, come out unscathed during these blazes. Lets hope that somebody can get their hands around the neck of one or more of the heartless, arsonist, saboteur bastards for a pleasant change of pace ! They really are murderers, and should be prosecuted as such, where applicable.

 

[AFA]

Giuliani was pushing forward the contract for firefighter radios which he knew had communication problems from the get go. There were implications of kick backs on the deal. To be fair I think his reasoning was that provider was able to deliver while the maker of the radios that worked couldn't deliver as fast, but the radios were known to have problems. Firemen died because of their inability to communicate in the towers.

 

[Will E Worm]

High ranking public officials, are notorious for grandiose - showboaty behavior during a time of need, particularly in the lens of the media. Remember, they're politicians first and public servants second, maybe third.

He also was cheating on his wife, I believe his second wife, at the same time he was saying New York needed cleaning up. Do as I say, not as I do.
He's a hypocrite.

How many wives has he had now three?

 

[Friday on my mind]

He also was cheating on his wife, I believe his second wife, at the same time he was saying New York needed cleaning up. Do as I say, not as I do.
He's a hypocrite.

How many wives has he had now three?

One of the funniest lines I heard in the whole presidential season we just had was this about the republicans running.Somone said its kinda weird that the only republican running at that point who hasn't had multiple wives is Romney (the mormon).:1orglaugh
But your right Rudy was married to Donna Hanover while he was getting with his current wife.Hanover was really mad about the way the whole thing was handled and said she was humiliated.

 

[Will E Worm]

One of the funniest lines I heard in the whole presidential season we just had was this about the republicans running.Somone said its kinda weird that the only republican running at that point who hasn't had multiple wives is Romney (the mormon).:1orglaugh
But your right Rudy was married to Donna Hanover while he was getting with his current wife.Hanover was really mad about the way the whole thing was handled and said she was humiliated.

I guess politicians think they can get away with things.
But, some of us keep track of their activities.

Bill Maher said that about Romney, I believe.

 

[Facetious]

All things considered, and given the magnitude of 11, Sept, 2001, I don't believe that Rudy did a horrible job. It's Mon. AM QBen to hold him accountable. It's most difficult to prep for an event of such an unprecedented and monumental proportion. C'mon !

 

[AFA]

One of the funniest lines I heard in the whole presidential season we just had was this about the republicans running.Somone said its kinda weird that the only republican running at that point who hasn't had multiple wives is Romney (the mormon).:1orglaugh
But your right Rudy was married to Donna Hanover while he was getting with his current wife.Hanover was really mad about the way the whole thing was handled and said she was humiliated.

Those things happen unfortunately although I don't think it was as overt as John Edwards cheating on his wife. But, I wasn't there to see either of them.

I just know, it wasn't okay for Gary Hart when he was running for President.

 

[Dawn]

Real heros arent the firefighters?

There should be a monument somewhere for the unknown firefighter as well as there is some everywhere for the unknown soldier.

My :2 cents:

 

[AFA]

When I was there, I got the impression the firefighter's dislike of him was on hold as he showed a lot of energy and did handle it well. Just before 9/11 he had voted his cabinet $30,000 annual raises, while putting a freeze on hiring new firefighters. He was not popular.

On the radio issue I mentioned above, you do hear bits and pieces of it during films about 9/11. I'd be furious if I lost a firefighter from my family.

 

[jaden]

hmm bash an American for 9/11 over phones?? last I check it was the friggin terrorist that deliberately killed people that day. How soon we forget when we said we never forget??

For the original poster, I hope they can control the Fires in LA. Here in Fl we have to evacuate for Hurricanes(smart one's do) so it's like watching to see if your home is going to be destroyed or not from a far. It's tough.

 

[AFA]

hmm bash an American for 9/11 over phones?? last I check it was the friggin terrorist that deliberately killed people that day. How soon we forget when we said we never forget??

For the original poster, I hope they can control the Fires in LA. Here in Fl we have to evacuate for Hurricanes(smart one's do) so it's like watching to see if your home is going to be destroyed or not from a far. It's tough.

Jeeeze I'm sorry, did I upset you?

Giulani was implicated in a kickback scheme which if true kept firefighters in the towers from hearing the alert on the radio to get out. That would mean they didn't leave when ordered and were killed because of his possible profiteering. I even gave him the benefit of the doubt in my post.

I guess you either never heard that before or didn't consider the meaning of the message. :dunno:

As for the original poster, his subject was Giulani, not the fires in L.A.

 

[Jagger69]

Giving Rudy Giuliani accolades for his performance on 9/11 is like giving the rooster credit for the sunrise. I actually think that Bush was a much more inspirational and heroic figure during that horrible event....for about 15 minutes when he took that fire chief's bullhorn. After that, it was all downhill.