Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Well this is terribly sad news to wake up to. Hizzoner Ed Koch, New York City's former mayor, died earlier this morning.
The definitive obituary in the New York Times.
But I rather enjoyed this:
During his last term in office, Ed Koch was invited to throw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium. As he stepped out onto the field, and his name was announced, he was booed and heckled by 50,000 merciless fans. The pitcher’s mound began to feel like a dung heap, he said. But Koch took it all like a mayor: he tipped his cap, and bowed. When the booing intensified, he bowed again.
Most of us cringe at criticism. Ed Koch basked in it. Maybe that’s why he became a movie critic.
I didn't much care for his politics, of course, but I absolutely loved his candor. And it was a genuine candor, unlike the political version of today that appears to be all for show. In this month's Vanity Fair, he was profiled in their silly questionnaire. A sample:
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
A willingness to go with my gut feeling, rather than wait a day and contemplate other options.What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Disloyalty.What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Sun damage on my face and head.Which living person do you most despise?
Former president Jimmy Carter.
I'm sorry, but I love it.
- Comment (20)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (14)
Comments:
Nov '12
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
I was fortunate to have heard him speaking in my synagogue every year on Rosh Hashanah, more or less since my arrival in the US in the late 1990s. He was a good raconteur, and his support for Israel was unwavering. On more than one occasion he made it clear that he disagreed with the policies being pursued by Obama, although I note that he publicly advocated voting for Obama in the recent elections.
I will miss his Rosh Hashanah speeches.
Jul '10
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Koch had the best putdown I've ever heard. He was arguing with someone and finally said, "I can explain it to you, but I can't comprehend it for you."
Mar '11
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
That is my favorite quote of his.
A close second: "The people have spoken...and they must be punished."
Nov '11
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Ed Koch died!?
Nov '11
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
I apply the Ed Koch Rule to political candidates.
Ed Koch said
"If you agree with me on 7 our of 10 things then vote for me. If you agree with me on 10 about 10 things, see a psychiatrist."
May '10
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
They broke the mold.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam Dayan Ha'Emet
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
I find this fascinating, particularly since Daniel Pearl also died on February 1:
Former New York City mayor Ed Koch died Friday morning at the age of 88. He plans to be buried in Manhattan, the three-term mayor said in 2008. His headstone and a memorial bench, placed at Trinity Church Cemetery in 2009, evoke his faith and his admiration of a murdered journalist. Koch explained his plans in 2008 to the Associated Press:
Dec '10
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Ed Koch was one of the last Democrats I'd tune-in to hear, rather than lunge for the off button.
I may not have agreed much with his politics, but we'll always have this in common:
RIP.
Dec '10
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.: I find this fascinating, particularly since Daniel Pearl also died on February 1:
Former New York City mayor Ed Koch died Friday morning at the age of 88. He plans to be buried in Manhattan, the three-term mayor said in 2008. His headstone and a memorial bench, placed at Trinity Church Cemetery in 2009, evoke his faith and his admiration of a murdered journalist. Koch explained his plans in 2008 to the Associated Press:
I did not know that about Daniel Pearl's last words -- or Ed Koch's choice to use them on his memorial. Weep in prophetic agony... Lord have mercy.
Aug '10
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Note what is engraved in the stone directly below the Daniel Pearl quote: "Daniel Pearl, 2002, just before he was beheaded by a Muslim terrorist".
That is so Koch.
Aug '11
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
May his remembrance be for a blessing.
May '11
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Jay Nordlinger did a interview with Koch as a pilot for a TV show. I don't know what ever happened to the show, but the pilot was great. Can that be made available to Ricochet subscribers?
Mar '11
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Ed Koch was a great New Yorker. The Lord called him home on the day of the Centennial of one of his great causes, Grand Central Terminal. He was part of the group along with Jackie Kennedy to Save Grand Central.
Oct '10
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
HaShem loaned us one of His Chosen People for a time to help in tikkun olam and has now called him home. Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam Dayan Ha'Emet indeed.
Nov '12
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
It saddens me that there is no son to say Kaddish for him.
Nov '11
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Re: #15: Captain, you are right, of course, but it seems all of NYC - and much of the country - will lift him up in remembrance and prayer. I know I shall.
Nov '12
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
Yes, there is that. I'm just an "old softy" when it comes to this sort of thing (I'm not sure that "softy" is the right word in this context).
In the case of my uncle who also died childless, I was able to pick up that particular duty.
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
I'll ask him.
Aug '10
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
I came out of a cinema in Greenwich Village in the Summer of 1986, "Down By Law", I think, was the movie. And there was Mayor Koch before me, hand extended and asking me to support his campaign to prevent cinemas raising ticket prices by a dollar,as threatened at the time. I guess it didn't mean much to me then but in later years I have had enormous appreciation for his resolute advocacy of the cause of Israel. I am moved by what has been said here already. And I am proud to have shaken his hand.
Dec '12
Re: Edward I. Koch, Rest in Peace
I prefer the reason why Bella Abzug absolutely hated the man. In a primary election for the Democratic nominee for a City Council seat, Bella Abzug lost. She even lost her home precinct. A reporter asked Ed how that could happen, and he replied, “Her neighbors know her.” She never forgave him.