And Now Cycling is Anti-Semitic

Thanks to Stephen for this one:

The New York Post reports that "hipster vigilantes" are repainting the bike lanes on Bedford - reportedly taken away at the request of the Hasids in South Williamsburg because bikes and cyclists "pose a safety and religious hazard."



I'm sorry, but this is the last straw.

I am a Brooklyn taxpayer. That means allllll of Brooklyn. And if my 11211 stretches south, you best believe I'm gonna ride my bike through it and expect some safety. This is America, and we're governed by the Constitution, not the Torah, and I will not have people endangering my rights and safety because it's "difficult for them to obey the law about not looking at women." Tough stuff, buttercup. What next, I can't own stuff because the Christians might covet it?

Why is The Mayoress so heated up? Because, as you know, my religion is Runner. And until Mile 10 of the New York City Marathon -- yes, Hasidic Williambsburg -- is not the only one where people don't cheer, I withdraw my support of South Williamsburg. Except Moto, that place is awesome.

Now I will go organize a topless ride down lower Bedford Avenue. Thanks to Yvette, I now know it's within my rights as a New Yorker. Now that's a protest everyone can love!

Abstract Humanitarianism

Nicholas D. Kristof is one of my favorite journalists - his column today is definitely worth a read:

In a thoughtful book published this year, “The Life You Can Save,” Professor Peter Singer of Princeton University offers the pond example and explores why we’re so willing to try to assist a stranger before us, while so unwilling to donate to try to save strangers from malaria half a world away.

You get it - a child is crying right in front of you and you'll ask what's wrong (or, if you're at brunch with Yvette, say, "Since when are children allowed in restaurants?"), but you avoid the Children International reps on 7th Avenue like the plague. Admittedly, those reps are super annoying.

This is why God invented Jameson

“The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness,” the subject of a provocative paper from the economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers... is fascinating not only because of what it shows, but because the authors deliberately avoid floating an easy explanation for their data.

Full article.

Oh, I thought I was unhappy because men in New York have stopped buying women drinks, I make entry-level salary, apartments in my neighborhood start at $700K, and bikini season is upon us. Sounds like an easy enough explanation to me.

*post title inspired by: you know who you are.

Fan Text

"Just wanted to say how bored I've been at work and how your blog is keeping me entertained. And ain't nothing wrong with a little downgrading to The Cove."

Thanks to Yvette for legitimizing my day of blogging. I owe you a $4 Jameson.

*This does not mean that I will buy every single person who reads my blog a Jameson. You two will have to get your own drinks.