I just saw Ed Koch in the elevator.

[Renew Deal]

I work in Midtown Manhattan. He was in the elevator in my building. I have met him once before and I mentioned that to him. I told him that I always admired him, which is true. He has a great story and is a wonderful NYer. I also said that he's been helping out right wingers a lot lately. His friend said something like who are right wingers and that I am a left winger. I said, yes, I am a left winger. He was getting off. He said he was a "liberal with sanity." I said it that it was "nice to see him again."

I feel somewhat sad that someone that I admired has degenerated into a right wing moran. One of his big issues is Israel and attacking Iraq somehow helps Israel. Truly sad.

[On the Road]

1. Did He Say "How'm I Doin?"

or maybe "if it's yellow, let it mellow"?

[tk2kewl]

2. he is not a liberal with sanity

my only guess is that he is a zealot who has sided with bush all bushCo all because of Israel. he has abandoned all sanity for this issue

[KittyWampus]

3. I used to have respect for him as well. koch is for koch only.

IMO, that drives what he says and does.

[Lex]

4. Good -- he should be called out for what he's given support to.

Glad you let him know that people did notice.

Now that Iraq is clearly known to be an unmitigated disaster, I'm betting he feels like a fool.

[Renew Deal]

6. I wanted to keep my words respectful.

I really like the old guy.

[LeftNYC]

5. I met Monica Lewinsky in an elevator one time...

She was meeting with the editor of her book. I worked for said company for a couple of years. I said Hi to her. She was very nice. "I did not have sexual relations" with her in the elevator, however.

[immoderate]

7. After congress he turned to shit.

I lived in New York, as mayor he was a divider. He never lived up to the idealism of his youth.

--IMM

[Burried News]

8. I like Ed Koch. Seemed remarkably honest.

I contrast this "One of his big issues is Israel and attacking Iraq somehow helps Israel. " (quoting you)
With: "No Discussion of Iraq Can Fairly Include Israel" current NY Congressman Jerrold L Nadler

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. His friend is an asshole

"I also said that he's been helping out right wingers a lot lately. His friend said something like who are right wingers and that I am a left winger."

He pins an extremist label on you while feigning ignorance of the other side of the political divide. The only explanation being he's just not a "mainstream" right winger which makes him a Liberal.

[Renew Deal]

10. I don't think right winger or left winger are extremist labels.

But that's just me.

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. I don't either, but the friend intended it to be IMO

Now, when someone mangles it into Left/Right Wing"nut", they are most assuredly being polemic. I realize you used the term "right wingers". But the friend's response seemed overly defensive and his remark snide.

[JHB]

11. Remember: the old Dixiecrats made Ed look liberal (as a congressman)...

...and "Israel" isn't one of his "big issues", it's just about his only issue these days. I don't know if he's officially a PNACer, but his view of what's wrong in the MidEast and how to deal with it is right up their alley.