News Hits donned its spiffiest bulletproof vest last Thursday evening and headed over to Detroit Breakfast House & Grill on Woodward Avenue, where Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick hosted a reception for the news media to celebrate his newly begun second term.
It was, the mayor told the gathered journalists, an event intended to facilitate some fence-mending. As the Hits noshed on hors d’oeuvres and swilled Champagne cocktails, we listened as the mayor explained how crucial it is that all the good things going on in the city get the coverage they deserve, and that his administration is intent on doing a better job of getting those positive stories out. He acknowledged the need for us to provide scrutiny, but also said all would benefit from telling the upbeat stories too.
Then the mayor, fresh from an afternoon inauguration where he announced that his next four years in office would be all about spreadin’ the love, launched into a little payback.
We thought it kind of funny when KK quipped that when he opened his eyes and saw all the reporters, he thought for a moment he’d somehow wound up in hell. But he couldn’t stop there.
With a wry smile on his face, Kwame, who pointed out that the previous term had been an incredible “maturation” process for him, claimed that no mayor had ever sustained the kind of all-out media attack he suffered through during the past election year. But, despite the onslaught, the journalistas failed in their attempts to “kill” him off. Instead, said the mayor, “Y’all made me stronger.”
At which point, he explained, there was only one thing left to say to us: “Nya-nya-nya-nya-nya.”
Congratulations, Mr. Mayor. It looks like you’ve matured to the level of a precocious kindergartner. We can’t wait to see what you’re like by the time you’re ready for middle school.
Grow, Kwame, grow!
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