Theresa May on Brexit, Trump and China: Bloomberg UK Show

Sep 14, 2023 | Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May has defended her handling of Britain's EU exit. In a wide-ranging interview, May said her Brexit deal was better than Boris Johnson's. She also said the Capitol Hill riot was a wake-up call to the West that political stability should not be taken for granted. "Bloomberg UK" focuses on the biggest economic, financial and political issues facing Britain. Hosted by Francine Lacqua, the program goes beyond the market moves with expert analysis and top interviews from the heart of London.

Mrs May: Brexit was a disaster. No sweet words will change that fact. – © Mark Alexander

Brexit Stalemate Has Caused Enormous Damage to UK, Princeton's O'Toole Says

Mar.29 -- Fintan O'Toole, Princeton University professor, comments on U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's push for a Brexit deal. He speaks with Bloomberg's Vonnie Quinn on "Bloomberg Markets."

Growing Calls for Jean-Claude Juncker Resignation

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bloomberg, the financial newswire, says Mr Juncker 'needs to go' and has been 'foisted on' the countries of the EU

There were growing calls for Jean-Claude Juncker to resign as President of the European Commission last night amid allegations that he presided over potentially illegal tax breaks given to multinational companies operating in Luxembourg.

Bloomberg, the influential financial newswire, devoted its editorial to a call for Mr Juncker’s resignation over revelations multinational companies were allegedly allowed to create complicated structures to avoid billions of pounds of tax when he was Prime Minister of the country.

It follows outrage from Conservatives MPs who see him an arch-federalist who believes in an "ever-closer" European Union, who will make it more difficult for David Cameron to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with Brussels before holding an in-out referendum in 2017 over his appointment.

The editorial, entitled “Jean-Claude Juncker Needs to Go”, describes Mr Juncker as a “bad choice for the job” who has been “foisted on the bloc's 28 national governments by a European Parliament eager to expand its powers.”

The editors of the financial wire say it is now “becoming clear now just how poor a decision” the appointment of Mr Juncker was after details emerged of revelations of potentially illegal tax breaks given to multinationals in Luxembourg, of which he was prime minister for almost 20 years. » | Georgia Graham, Political Correspondent | Monday, November 10, 2014

Inside Story Americas - Is Spying on Muslims Legal in the US?
A report has revealed the New York police spying on Muslim citizens without any apparent evidence of criminal activity. Is this type of surveillance legal, and what will the US government do now? Guests are Sahar Aziz, Sebastian Gorka, Haroon Moghul.

Michael Bloomberg Defends NYPD Surveillance on Muslims

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York, has defended the city's police officers after they were found to have launched covert surveillance operations on Muslim student groups, businesses and mosques.

Mayor Bloomberg said that the New York Police Department had a duty to "keep this country safe" after the force was criticised for mounting surveillance operations beyond the city's borders, even compiling dossiers on Muslims in other states.

Universities including the prestigious Yale and Columbia have protested about the operations, which included officers tailing a group of students on a white water rafting trip.

Muslim residents in the neighbouring state of New Jersey, and the Long Island counties of Nassau and Suffolk, where undercover operations were carried out, have also questioned why the NYPD was investigating outside of the city limits.

But Mayor Bloomberg defended the police, saying: "We have to keep this country safe.
"The police department goes where there are allegations. That's what you'd expect them to do. That's what you'd want them to do. Remind yourself when you turn out the light tonight." Read on and comment » | Rosa Prince, New York | Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Michael Bloomberg Fuels Presidential Talk with Attack on Barack Obama

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Michael Bloomberg has launched an attack on Barack Obama for an absence of leadership as Washington failed to hammer out a deficit deal, renewing suggestions he could mount an independent bid for the White House.

In a stinging rebuke of Mr Obama, who remained on the sidelines as the deal collapsed, and a rare intervention into Washington politics, Mr Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, said: "It's the chief executive's job to bring people together and to provide leadership. I don't see that happening."

He accused members of Congress of "political cowardice" for helping bring about a "disaster for the country" but the former Democrat and Republican who is now an Independent reserved his strongest words for Mr Obama.

"The executive branch must do more than submit a plan to a committee – and then step aside and hope the committee members take action. That's not how any CEO would run a business.

He added: "It's not how landmark pieces of legislation have gotten through Congress. Tough problems require determined, forceful and bold leadership – and real action."

Mr Bloomberg's words could fuel speculation about whether he could mount a third-party bid for the White House. The New York mayor has made no preliminary moves indicating he might take such a step and has repeatedly said that a "short, divorced, Jewish billionaire" would have no chance.

But some centrists disillusioned with Mr Obama and dismayed by what they see as a paucity of talent in the Republican field still hold out hope. » | Toby Harnden, Washington | Tuesday, November 22, 2011

New York Smokers Down to Record Low
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The number of smokers in New York has hit an all-time low, city health officials said on Thursday.

Only 14 out of 100 adults still light up, a 35 per cent decrease from 2002 figures, the Health Department said. The decrease amounts to 450,000 fewer adult smokers, with teens registering steep declines.

"Smoking is the leading cause of preventable, premature death in New York City and the nation today and we&£8217; re proud that a record number of New Yorkers are saving their own lives by quitting," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement. » | Friday, September 16, 2011

All sounds good and sensible. But is it? It begs the following question: What are they doing for kicks and pleasure instead? Bringing the smoking rate down to record levels is good only when people are not substituting their smoking habit with something else more injurious to their health. One can only wonder what is happening to the rates of drug and alcohol abuse. Smoking has become the bête noire of our age. But there are far more harmful things to one's health than a few puffs on a cigarette. As one-track minded as Bloomberg is – he has a real bee in his bonnet with regards to smoking, being a reformed smoker himself – I wonder if he has looked into the downside of his persecution of smokers? – Mark

This comment also appears here

Bloomberg Defends Banning Religious Leaders & Rescue Workers From 9/11 Tribute

HT: Jim Hoft at Gateway Pundit »

The Poison of Bloomberg’s New York Reaches England: Stony Stratford Set to Ban Smoking in All Public Places
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An English town is set to follow the example of New York and become the first in Britain to ban smoking on its streets.

A campaign has been launched to outlaw smoking in all public places in Stony Stratford near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

If passed, the new bylaw would mean anyone caught lighting up in the historic market town would face a fine.

Senior politicians on the town’s council have indicated their support for the scheme, which comes after the mayor of New York banned smoking from parks and beaches in the US city last month.

The town’s council will discuss the concept next month before Milton Keynes Council is likely to be asked to use its powers to introduce the ban.

Stony Stratford Councillor Paul Bartlett, who is leading the campaign, said: "When you walk through the high street in any town, smoke is in your face and harming you and any children there. » | Murray Wardrop | Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Outdoor Smoking Ban Comes into Effect in New York But Smokers Remain Defiant

MAIL ONLINE: Tourists in New York might find that the air is that little bit fresher on their next visit to Central Park after a ban on outdoor smoking came into effect on Monday.

Smokers can no longer legally light up in the city's public parks, beaches and promenades. Pedestrian plazas are also no smoking zones, including the ones in Times Square and Herald Square.

But many smokers said they would flout the ban, despite the threat of a $50 fine.

People will be fined for lighting up in any New York parks - except the Roberto Clemente, Riverbank, Gantry Plaza, Empire-Fulton Ferry, East River, Bayswater Point, Clay Pit Ponds State Parks.

But some smokers on the streets of New York said it was worth risking the $50 penalty. Continue reading and comment » | Paul Bentley | Friday, May 27, 2011

My comment:

America is no longer 'The Land of the Free.' Wherever you go in the US today, there are restrictions. The US used to be a wonderful, fun country to go to. That's all changed now. Political correctness has taken over. Alas, this side of the Atlantic, we copy every ridiculous idea Americans come up with. We have no backbone to do our own thing, in our own way. To show a little tolerance is always a good thing. I am not a smoker. I am an ex-smoker. But when I gave up smoking a couple of years ago, I vowed that I would never allow myself to become a whinger. Bloomberg used to be a chain-smoker. But when he gave up, he became just that: a whinger!, He expected the rest of the world to give up because he did. Surely, if someone wants to enjoy a smoke, let that person do so. To worry about second-hand smoke in New York is about as sensible as worrying about snow on a skiing holiday in the Alps. In the Alps, you find snow; in a city like NY, you find pollution. – © Mark

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New York Adds Parks and Beaches to Smoking Ban
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: New York City has added the city's parks and beaches to the list of places where smoking is banned.

The ban, which officials hope will prevent problems caused by second-hand smoke, adds to the city's 2003 ban on cigarettes in bars and restaurants.

The new law will not be enforced by police but by some 200 parks personnel who watch over the city's 29,000 acres of park land and beaches. Violators face a $50 fine but officials say the ban is meant to be largely self-enforcing.

"We don't think that people should be exposed to those chemicals when they go to a park to enjoy the fresh air," city Health Commissioner Thomas Farley told Reuters. » | Tuesday, May 24, 2011

New York Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment »

Mayor Seeks to Calm Cabbie, NYC After Stabbing

Censorship Outrage from Dhimmigogue Bloomberg & Sharia-compliant City Hall

NO MOSQUES AT GROUND ZERO: Read and comment >>> Friday, August 06, 2010

Sarah Palin Invents Word in Twitter Gaffe
THE TELEGRAPH: Sarah Palin has run into language difficulties in the course of attempting to write an entry on her Twitter account about plans to build a mosque near the Ground Zero site in New York.

Sarah Palin has struggled with the English language. Photo: The Telegraph
The former vice-presidential candidate, who regularly uses the social networking website to communicate her views, made three attempts before writing an error-free Twitter entry, which can only contain 140 characters.

In her first effort, she asked "peaceful Muslims to "pls refudiate" the mosque. Having invented a word, in her second attempt she used "refute" incorrectly, calling on "peaceful New Yorkers to "refute the Ground Zero mosque plan". >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Monday, July 19, 2010

Bürgermeisterwahl in New York: Bloombergs Glanz bekommt Risse
ZEIT ONLINE: New York wählt: Michael Bloomberg will heute zum dritten Mal Bürgermeister werden. Aber die Krise hat auch die Stadt getroffen, und der Milliardär hat viele enttäuscht. >>> Sebastian Moll | Dienstag, 03. November 2009

Bloomberg: Gay Marriage Is "No. 1 Priority"
ADVOCATE.COM: New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg reinforced his commitment to marriage equality legislation on Thursday, telling an audience of gay supporters that he had talked with state senate leaders earlier that day and told them that moving the bill is the “number one priority.” >>> Julie Bolcer | Friday, October 02, 2009

Is America Ready for President Bloomberg?
THE NEW YORK TIMES: He no longer brags about his dating exploits or shows off his impolitic side. He has largely reined in his temper with reporters and loosened his manner with voters. But Michael R. Bloomberg, New York’s once-improbable mayor, would still be a highly unlikely presidential contender.

A zealot for privacy, he slips away to Bermuda on weekends to practice his golf game. Divorced with a steady companion, he frequently indulges a louche sense of humor, joking at a dinner one night that if Salma Hayek joined him at the official mayor’s residence, he might actually live there. And he still likes to end his evenings with a nightcap out, leading to the occasional public admission of having had perhaps a merlot or two too many.

New Yorkers may have become accustomed to the eccentricities of the billionaire information mogul who took an unorthodox path to public service. But, as he has thrust himself more fully into national politics, even Mr. Bloomberg has questioned whether the rest of the country is ready for him. An Eccentric Mayor Raises His Profile (more)

Mark Alexander

Billionaire Bloomberg, the Anti-Smoking, Anti-Gun Mayor of New York, Has His Eye Firmly on the White House
· New York mayor severs ties with Republicans
· Party politics damaging country, speech warns
THE GUARDIAN: Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York and America's 44th richest man, has sparked speculation that he is planning to make a third-party bid for the White House next year by severing his ties with the Republicans and declaring himself a "political independent".

Mr Bloomberg's intentions have been under intense observation for several months, as he is known to have been privately weighing up the possibility of making a run for president in the 2008 elections. His decision to break ties with the party that secured him the mayoralty in 2001 is being interpreted as a sign that his plans are firming up. Bloomberg stokes rumours of 2008 presidential bid (more) By Ed Pilkington in New York

LE FIGARO:
Bloomberg trouble les présidentielles américaines

Mark Alexander

Beware! First It Was Your Fags, Now It’s Your Guns! Bloomberg to Make Bid for the White House
THE SUNDAY TIMES: IT started as a small group of American mayors worried about gun violence. It has since grown into a vociferous national organisation that has challenged the powerful US gun lobby and boosted speculation about the presidential prospects of Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York.

The latest recruit to Bloomberg’s coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns is Patricia Tucker, the widow of a North Carolina sheriff who was shot in the face by a teenager on probation for an earlier offence. He was found to have bought a shotgun from a dealer who allegedly should have refused the sale.

Tucker appeared last week in a new advertising campaign aimed at Congressional allies of the National Rifle Association, the defender of American gunowners’ rights. Bloomberg’s assault on one of Washington’s most powerful lobbying groups has marked him out as both a target for right-wing critics and as a bold, energetic campaigner whose immense personal wealth might enable him to side-step the traditional primary-filled path to the White House.

As the billionaire founder and majority owner of the Bloomberg media empire, the mayor is considering spending $1 billion of his personal fortune on an independent campaign in the 2008 White House race. Bloomberg has gun lobby — and the presidency — in his sights (more) By Tony Allen-Mills

Mark Alexander

Bloomberg, the Man Who Outlawed Smoking in New York City, Now Wants to Outlaw Your Guns
NEW YORK TIMES: In New York, Michael R. Bloomberg is known as the billionaire media mogul who became mayor. But in many parts of the country, he is the man who would take away your guns.

An editorial writer in Harrisburg, Pa., accuses him of “ranting” about illegal firearms. A conservative publication in Florida, NewsMax, asserts: “Bloomberg’s hatred of guns has twisted roots.” And on the Web site of The Wichita Eagle, one writer wonders why a New York mayor is “telling the people of Kansas what to do.”

In towns large and small across the country, Mr. Bloomberg, a Republican, has emerged as the face of gun control in America. Under his guidance, a coalition called Mayors Against Illegal Guns has grown in little more than a year from a skeletal group of 15 into an organization of 225 leaders of towns and cities — many of them Democrats — who are pursuing legal, political and media strategies to stem gun crime. Bloomberg Cast as Enemy No. 1 of Gun Rights Advocates (more) By Diane Cardwell

Mark Alexander