Jim O responds.
Pundit–you’ve been sniping and griping at me and Free Buffalo for almost two years now.
What’s it all about?
What really matters is that we were right about BP from the start while your group was wrong.
We opposed it; you supported it.
First off, have the decency to throw some links in there. My group wasn’t wrong about anything, Jim. There isn’t a factual error in there. There was an expression of support – you can agree or disagree with it, but it’s neither “wrong” nor “right”. Go and read the report (pdf). We prepared it based on the contents of the MOU and our discussions with Bass Pro and representatives who dealt with Bass Pro out in Auburn, New York. We supported the deal as set forth in that MOU.
But the MOU is null and void now. The deal – if any – probably won’t resemble the MOU in any meaningful way. Indeed, it’s no longer the City of Buffalo, but the Erie Harbor Redevelopment Corp. that’s dealing with Bass Pro. I can’t criticize or support something about which I know nothing. You, Jim, apparently have no problem with that,
We pointed out that BP was only spending $22 million and you disagreed.
We said the project would take too long because of bureaucracy.
We said there was no deal and it turns out there wasn’t and isn’t.
The record speaks for itself.
So, what’s the point of the rally? Tell me – what was the point of it except to get you some TV time? Are you disappointed that Bass Pro isn’t here? Are you happy that Bass Pro isn’t here? Are you disappointed that our politicheskaya klassa is so dysfunctional that they can’t throw money at a retail project and get it done in 2 years, or are you happy about it?
It was a publicity stunt – the only goal was the airtime. Nothing positive for Buffalo or the community or poor people or the downtrodden. Just Jim O & friends getting on TV. Typical Buffalo “we suck and we’ll always suck” cynicism.
Of course, you’re happy that Bass Pro isn’t here, and you’re happy about the dysfunction. So just say so. That political dysfunction got you your desired result.
As for last night, we had 11 people there and 12 at the Grill where our celebration continued.
Really? Channel 2 says:
five friends from the taxpayer group “Free Buffalo” toasted the two year anniversary on the announcement that Bass Pro was coming to Buffalo.
These go to 11?
Yup. The record does speak for itself.
We’re essentially a volunteer organization with little money. Because I had spent some time on the county budget–where, no surprise, you stand with the status quo and big budgets–this BP thing came up on me fast.
I stand with the status quo only because you say I do, Jim. No, I don’t advocate eliminating all spending and taxation. I also am not really big into having the county go into receivership or similar because we refuse to follow an Albany mandate. I’d prefer to change Albany – where the real problem lies – rather than the county, which can’t really do a whole heck of a lot of the stuff that really counts.
If advocating for the abolition of county government and for a comprehensive reform of Albany including but not limited to a constitutional convention = me standing with the status quo, then long live the status quo.
After I attended a meeting to try to keep my local and great Catholic school open, I came home at about 9pm and sent out the notices. So, in 20 hours, we set up an event that got us live on 4, covered by 2, 7, 930 970, and lots of internet coverage. And we had 12 people there on very short notice.
You went to a meeting to keep a school open? You mean to maintain the status quo?
You had 5 people there, and bully for you as the go-to guy for all things anti-taxation for getting press coverage. Hooray for you.
One of the big problems around here and it’s been true for as long I can remember, is that whenever anyone comes forward to change anything, they get their heads handed to them and everybody knows it.
Pundit, the political class LOVES you!
I have no control over who loves me and who doesn’t, but the insinuation is that I’m a shill for someone, and that’s absolutely not the case.
In 2 years, Free Buffalo has represented sound and fury, signifying nothing. The political class must love you, too as the spokesman who rails against them.
I said it before and I’ll say it again – it’s a lot easier to be against something than to be in favor of it.
Tags: buffalo activism
