When Rudy first became NYC mayor, a very-much pro-Establishment work colleague of mine enthused at how quickly Giuliani had managed clear Times Square of its hitherto endemic collection of tramps, hobos, beggars etc.

No. he hadn’t found homes for them all. (That would be too liberal!)

Sent them all to jail? How could I suggest such a thing!

No, I was told, it was just the result of good management.

Yeah . . . .