Brooklynites didn't really need de Blasio or me or anyone else. In late April, after weeks of rainy marches and rallies, SUNY withdrew its plan to close LICH. For a moment at least, the community and workers had saved their hospital.

On October 31, 2012, New York City was reeling. Hurricane Sandy had unleashed unprecedented destruction on huge swaths of the five boroughs. In Breezy Point, Queens, dozens of homes burned like islands of fire surrounded by the rising sea.

Anthony Weiner was apparently in a sour mood after he conceded defeat in the race for New York City mayor on Tuesday. Weiner reportedly gave a reporter the middle finger on his way home from his election night party.