The phrase in the title is a common phrase from the Talmud. It means that there is some sort of contradiction between two or more statements.
That was one possible title to this blog entry. The other was going to say something disparaging about the mayor of New York City. We have had enough disparagement over the last several weeks.
Instead of disparagement, I will refer to articles I have read. I will then ask pertinent (or perhaps impertinent) questions.
The contradiction to which I refer is in the New York Post.
Part A:
1."My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period."
Mayor Bill de Blasio, April 29, 2020
2. Referring to the rising number of shootings in New York City, the shootings "were directly related to all the dislocation we've seen over the last four months," and "people have been pent up for months and months."
Mayor Bill de Blasio, July 6, 2020
Part B:
1. The Supreme Court of the State of New York said that it was unconstitutional for the state to permit outdoor gatherings of up to 150 people while limiting outdoor religious services to 25.
2. In order to respond to the increase in shootings, "of course, it's going to take neighbourhood policing" and efforts of "the clergy."
Mayor Bill de Blasio, July 6, 2020
Uhhhh, Mr. Mayor, it seems you should check your statements against your other statements before speaking. If I may....
1. You told the Jewish community not to gather (while actively encouraging protestors, but that is another issue).
2. The State tried not to allow minyan, mass, and the like.
If I may ask, precisely what efforts of the clergy did you have in mind when the state seems hell-bent on denying my colleagues full use of their pulpits and you seem hell-bent on criticizing congregations that meet?
If I may ask, where exactly did the clergy fail in responding to everyone being pent up? My colleagues did not make that decision. We have been doing our best in a bad situation. We would respond to suggestions from city leadership, if there were any. Furthermore, if the failures are not those of the clergy, can you please explain clergy's role in clean-up? There is a role, and I am sure that I can articulate it. I want to know if you can.
If I may ask, since New York City's most recent budget eliminates more than $1,000,000,000 from NYPD's operating expenses, and since that budget eliminates two classes of recruits, and since the utter lack of support from City Hall leaves NYPD paralyzed and short-staffed, where do you anticipate finding the people for neighbourhood policing? In answering that question, you may also wish to address the spate of NYPD retirements as a result of the violence and lack of support.
May the best of the day be yours.
R/SCG
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