Gloom & a Silver Lining
So how is bail reform working out in NYC? Here are some stats from an editorial at nypost.com: Since 1/1, 482 suspects busted for serious felonies were released without bail only to commit another 846 new crimes. More than a third were arrested for one of the seven most serious crimes: murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto… Crime in January jumped 30% from 1/’19. Crime in February spiked 20% from a year ago.
Hachette Book Group has decided it will not publish Woody Allen’s memoir A Propos of Nothing, swayed by criticism from Allen’s estranged children, Dylan and Ronan Farrow, and one day after employees of the company walked out in protest of the book. Dylan has long-maintained she was molested by Allen as a 7-year-old in 1992. Ronan Farrow’s Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, was published by the same parent company. It is an account of the challenges he faced chasing stories of Harvey Weinstein’s decades of alleged rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse of women. The title refers to media giants who purchase and bury stories unfavorable to allies. I don’t know what to think of Dylan’s charge. Such behavior is not usually a one-shot, and no one else has ever come forward to accuse Allen of the same. Recall the damage Allen did to the family when he left Mia Farrow for one of her step children. That was certainly motivation for revenge. Wherever the truth lies, it is ugly. I won’t be surprised if another publisher picks up Allen’s book.
The economy added 273,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate fell to 3.5% from 3.6%. January’s gains were upwardly revised to 273,000 from 225,000. Of course, the coronavirus will have a negative effect on the economy. Just how much is impossible to determine at this time.
My timing was impeccable today. Since the 10AM forecast said rain would arrive in two hours, I set up shop early, intending to pack up at noon. I immediately had a visit from the unfortunate half of bi-polar Romanian born artist Andu. He was a mess, claiming people were plotting to hurt him and trying to convince him he’s crazy. Twice he broke into sobs. I always think of his poor mom when I see him like this. Fortunately, I managed to overcome my discomfort enough to caress his shoulder. He asked if he could have some books and I told him to take anything he wanted. I didn’t want any money but he insisted on paying. It felt like blood money. My thanks, and also to Ira, who bought a Vintage Rock magazine issue devoted largely to rockabilly. He’d just been to CVS, where his wife was charged $1100 for a three month supply of cholesterol meds. The store wouldn’t accept the discount voucher she had, which would have lowered the cost to $180. Now she has to go through the rigmarole of paperwork to get the reduced rate. What kind of madness is this? My thanks also to the Braniac brothers’ home attendant, who dropped off two volumes of poetry and three works of non-fiction. It began drizzling just before I’d returned the last of the wares into the car.
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