ADDED: Looks like Mike didn’t hoover up all evidence that he’d been in Aspen. Andrew Potter helpfully linked to the above audio of Bloomberg’s comments via our Facebook page. Jump ahead to the 41:00 mark for the relevant portion.
As Robert reported last week, billionaire plutocrat and civilian disarmament supporter Michael Bloomberg made some controversial comments in a recent speech concerning the real objective of his push for more restrictions on the Bill of Rights. Where young minority males are concerned, the former caudillo of New York City opined that, “Cities need to get guns out of this group’s hands and keep them alive.” News of Bloomberg’s comments about limiting the rights of people of color made the rounds throughout the blogosphere and even corners of the traditional press. Mayor Mike’s reaction to the ensuring kerfuffle was as swift as it was predictable . . .
He has moved to block release of the video of the event.
Michael Bloomberg representatives have asked the Aspen Institute not to distribute footage of his recent appearance in Aspen, where the three-term New York City mayor made pointed comments concerning minorities and gun control.
Both the Institute and GrassRoots TV, the organization that filmed the event, confirmed Thursday that they will not broadcast the footage online or on television as planned.
“We basically honor the wishes of our speakers, and Mayor Bloomberg preferred that we not use the video for broadcast,” the Institute’s chief external affairs officer Jim Spiegelman wrote in an email Friday. “He did not give a reason nor did we have any reason to ask for one. We often feature speakers who prefer that their presentations not be videotaped.”
Appearing before nearly 400 people in Aspen on Feb. 5, the billionaire founder of Bloomberg L.P. argued that in order to save lives, police should seize guns from male minorities between ages 15 and 25.
It’s not surprising that Mr. Bloomberg would want to suppress these rather embarrassing comments that appear to have him line up on the same side with some of the worst elements in American political history. It’s a bit more disappointing that the Aspen Institute, whose mission is ostensibly to be “to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues” is going along with the whitewash. I suppose transparency and speaking truth to power aren’t part of the “enduring values” they’re trying to promote.
No matter. The truth is out there, thanks to the Aspen Times.