New York City, like many urban areas, has suffered vacant storefronts in recent years. The causes are likely many: online shopping, property crime, difficulty in hiring low-wage staff or paying the going rents. An article at politicsny.com this week notes that some city councilmembers are on the case and, as often, blaming landlords. Even aContinue reading “Empty or Illicit? NYC Shops for a Solution”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Housing Issue Begins to Bite
As we’re reminded constantly, the U.S. is an increasingly polarized society, politically and otherwise. It is getting ever more so “otherwise” in the housing market, where many enjoy rising property values and easy mortgage payments while others are pressed for shelter anywhere near their desired locations. This affordability issue has gained steam, and is causingContinue reading “The Housing Issue Begins to Bite”
Ruptured Democracy? Add a Think Tank
A full-page advertisement (there are still a few!) in today’s print New York Times salutes an act of philanthropy but is full of ironies. The gift is $59 million from the HMO fortune of Leonard Schaeffer and his wife to the University of Southern California, for establishment of a (named for him) Institute for PublicContinue reading “Ruptured Democracy? Add a Think Tank”
A Twilight Strategy on Hong Kong
The grim progression of bloody autocrats in major as well as lesser quarters of the globe can make for personal and political paralysis here in the U.S. When Alexei Navalny is snuffed out in Russia and Vladimir Putin grinds on to occupy Ukraine, or when Xi Jinping stamps out dissent in greater China and pursuesContinue reading “A Twilight Strategy on Hong Kong”
Losing the Virtue of Volunteerism
The Wall Street Journal last week published this ungenerous review of Chris Anderson’s new book, Infectious Generosity. And I can’t say the critic was wrong to zing the boss of TED Talks for “embarrassing naivete” in his plea for more universal kindness. But after reading the work and listening to Anderson make his case toContinue reading “Losing the Virtue of Volunteerism”
Tight End of the College Sports Craze
Sometimes journalists look for the opposite of the silver lining. That’s the case with this month’s New York Times report on how the now-giant business of “college” football has tightened the home-rental markets in university towns hosting big sports events. Viewed commercially, one great aspect of the NCAA-bred fandom is that it has spread wealthContinue reading “Tight End of the College Sports Craze”
Long Island’s East Is Far from Red
Despite Ed Romaine’s victory in Suffolk County, New York, Democrats achieved significant wins in Long Island’s elections. They dominated in East Hampton, presumably clinched a victory in Southampton, and tied in Southold. These gains, especially in Southampton, reflect a shift from its historic GOP stronghold status, highlighting the increasing strength of the Democrats, amidst changing demographics and policy preferences.
Come 2024, the Kitchen Table Issues Reemerge
When wide attention refocuses on the economy, the political importance of GDP, inflation, income stress and grievous inequality will return to the fore. It won’t be any clearer which way all the data are cutting. There’s no question that “Bidenomics” made many people better off, at least until price increases worked through the system. TheContinue reading “Come 2024, the Kitchen Table Issues Reemerge”
A Korean-American Crossing
Nostalgia is a powerful draw in photography–witness the many Facebook and other social-media groups centered on vintage pictures of this or that place. So it is with a compact new exhibit at the Korea Society on Madison Avenue in New York. “Koreatown LA/NY,” running through Aug. 17, features work by Emanuel Hahn (from midtown LosContinue reading “A Korean-American Crossing”
Title IX’s Ticket to Training Camp
The big business of college sports in the U.S. is for the better or worse, and has many causes and consequences. One reason that the two highly commercial features of most programs–football and men’s basketball–are such big tickets is that they not only carry their own ever-heavier weight but also that of most of theContinue reading “Title IX’s Ticket to Training Camp”
Tim W. Ferguson 