Greetings from the Big Apple. This week finds your favorite Rocky Mountain Conservative walking the streets of New York. Why am I here in New York? In January? For a whole big batch of “nunya”, as the locals might say. But, since I am here, I thought it might be fun to take a stroll around and “observe” the natives of the Liberal Mecca. Plus there’s some really good food here and, well, I’ve been known to ingest a good Rueben from time to time.
And the Matzo Soup at the Stage Deli is to die for.
Not that I am advocating self sacrifice in light of good food. That would be my first disclaimer.
My second would be that one of my first observations is that there are a lot of disclaimers here in New York. There was not, however, a disclaimer on how cold it is here. Especially in January. Almost everything here has some type of warning, letting you know that what you are doing has the potential of causing injury, mental stress, or even, heaven save us, “discomfort”. So much for the fabled “heartiness” of New Yorkers, unless you are referring solely to their ability to jog in freezing temps wearing nothing but shorts and a smile.
Another observation. New York is an introvert’s paradise. There are seven million people here, and you can go anywhere you like without speaking to anyone. You can order a meal and eat it in peace, without 47 visits by the manger, wait staff, bus boy, greeter, crumb catcher, professional apologist, and all the others that tend to waltz by your table in most other places. I managed to complete an entire meal without being forced to talk with my mouth full or quickly swallow to prevent being rude. I enjoyed the meal. It was pleasant, quiet, and quite good.
Still another. While New York is in fact a liberal bastion, it is also still fiercely patriotic. You can’t have salt on your food (it still tastes very good) and you can’t smoke anywhere except the “smoking oasis” outside your building. There are enough bleeding hearts within walking distance of any location that the streets are nearly red.
Ok, that’s an exaggeration, but you get my point. The Theatre District, certainly a left-leaning spot on the map if there was one, is surrounded by offices. If you look into many of those offices you will see American flags hanging from ceilings, on walls, and in doors. From my hotel room I can see into two different offices. One has a flag hanging in the window, proudly displayed toward the street for all to see. The other has a flag hanging over four different desks, in the center of the office, where any who come into that area will see the flag.
Almost every building here has an American flag out front. The big flag is still up at the New York Stock Exchange. You can get “French Fries” here, but they are often served with an American flag on a tooth pick in the bun of your burger. New Yorkers are not only fiercely proud of their city, they seem to be very proud of their country, even ten years after 9-11.
Local law enforcement and other first responders are still held in the highest regard. It was not only the blistering cold wind that was bringing tears to my eyes as I walked through Central Park. Even in downtown Manhattan, just a few feet from the homes of Woody Allen and Alec Baldwin, there is evidence of a strong patriotism, even nationalism, still alive in New York. For one who has served as I have, and who is as Conservative as I am, it warms my heart, regardless of the freezing temperature.
So what will I take away after all this? Well, Liberals are still looney, still in need of constant disclaimers, less independent, and closer to Socialism than any Conservative. Their views on government are wrong to the point of being nearly destructive, but they believe this is in the best interest of their nation, and they make a pretty mean slice of pizza.
Too bad I can’t say the same for the Liberals in Washington, D.C.
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