24 February, 2006 | Leave a Comment
The wonders of London never cease. Who would have guessed that the elected mayor of the city, Ken Livingstone, could be suspended from office? Following a hearing, the Adjudication Panel for England imposed the one-month suspension, to begin the 1st of March. The punishment is in response to Livingstone having likened a Jewish reporter from the Evening Standard to a Nazi concentration camp guard.
The 3-person panel ruled that his remarks were offensive, insensitive and disgraced the office of the mayor. The incident occurred a year ago. From the Guardian: “Mr Livingstone had asked the reporter if he was a German war criminal and then, after learning that he was Jewish and had been offended by the question, compared him to a concentration camp guard.”
Remarkably, the mayor refused to apologize for his appalling behavior, which is why he finds himself in hot water now. Livingstone plans to appeal and is outraged that the panel can suspend a mayor who was democratically elected. I agree that the voters should punish him, not a panel. But at the same time, I am quite enjoying this spectacle. I’m no expert on London politics, but to me, Ken Livingstone (a raging egomaniac) seems to operate like a dictator with unchecked power. He seems to rule London like a king. I’ve only been here since last September, but having lived in New York during the Giuliani years, I can recognize the signs.
Livingstone is referred to as “Red Ken” for his left-wing views. He seems to be extremely anti-American. And I really can’t stand him because in January, he drastically increased the fares on public transportation. A one-way tube journey in London now costs £3 ($5.23)!
Yes, my friends in Boston and New York and DC, you read that correctly. A single cash fare on the tube costs more than $5.00.
London’s underground is the most outrageously over-priced on the entire planet – and by a big margin. A friend of a friend who visited London recently (on a student budget) walked everywhere because she couldn’t afford to take the tube. What’s the purpose of public transport if people can’t afford to use it? The fare increase is a heavy-handed attempt to force people to buy what is called an Oyster Card, which offers cheaper fares. Those who do not wish to fill out the paperwork and obtain an Oyster Card will be forced into bankruptcy, apparently.
Livingstone seems to be a very unpleasant, spiteful person. He deserves to be knocked down a few pegs. All I can say is – don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Ken.
**In sorta related news, Lawrence Summers has resigned as the president of Harvard, my former workplace. (Hi Harvard friends!) Summers, a boorish, sexist jerk, resigned under intense pressure from the faculty. Gee, it must be open season on arrogant men in positions of power. ’Bout time.
Anglofille said @ 5:59 pm | london & uk, news & politics |
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You say it might be “open season on arrogant men in positions of power. ’Bout time.”
I’m aware of a few arrogant leaders here in the States. Let’s hope we get them out of power soon too!
BTW: This is appalling! “A single cash fare on the tube costs more than $5.00.”
YIKES!!!
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and just imagine he got in trouble the first time he was in charge of London (as Leader of GLC) for cutting tube and bus fares.
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Maybe it’s the boorish sexist jerk in me, but I’m pretty unhappy about Summers’ enforced resignation. On the facts I’m aware of I don’t think he did anything wrong.
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Anglofille Says:
February 27th, 2006 at 5:52 pmAs a former Harvard employee, I can tell you that the university is completely dominated by white men. There are very few female deans or women in positions of power. This is the case at most elitist universities, which is ironic. Most people view these schools as “liberal” but from my experience, they are very conservative places. I don’t think Summers was the right person to lead Harvard. He’s a bully. And saying women are genetically inferior to men in the field of science is just appalling. He can apologize all he wants but I really think that comment was a window into his true feelings about women.
