Bloomberg indirectly criticizes Clinton

NEW ORLEANS (UPI) -- New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to criticize U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., during a recent appearance in New Orleans.

In an apparent reference to Clinton's alleged use of staged questions during public appearances, Bloomberg detailed how he prefers to hear "real questions" from those he serves, the New York Daily News reported Saturday.

Appearing before a group of U.S. municipal officials Friday, Bloomberg said his governing principles are "a challenge to candidates to move beyond photo-ops, to reject stage-managed town hall meetings, and to talk about how we're going to use real accountability to solve real problems and take real questions from our constituents and give them real answers."

Yet Bloomberg, who has been linked to a potential presidential bid as an independent, did not limit his critical comments to Clinton, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"You will not hear the truth on the campaign trail, because the campaign trail is -- somebody described it as 'pandering in full throttle,'" Bloomberg said.

Mommy's Resolutions

- When I'm tired of hearing "mommieeeeee!" a thousand times each day, I will resist changing my name to "Please pass the spinach" or "TV is boring, I'd rather read."

- I will develop an ability to have a conversation with an adult that doesn't revolve around labor pains or children's toilet habits. I will feel comfortable in the silence that ensues when neither of us can think of any other topic to discuss or remember we can always discuss the weather.

- I will be more flexible about children's nutritional requirements by counting the ketchup and green crayon as vegetables.

- When my children beg for a pet, I will buy them each a hutch for the dust bunnies that have multiplied under their beds. I will let them name each dust bunny.

- I will count how often I repeat the phrase "You'd better listen because I will not repeat myself", until my children actually notice that I have spoken. I will not raise my voice until I have said it at least that many times.

- When my kids are older (at least 50), I will explain why they never have any chocolate candy left after Mommy and Daddy "check" their Halloween bags.

- I will be a good, fair and loving parent to my children. I will provide them with enriching experiences and opportunities. I will give them a solid foundation on which to build a useful life. After all, they may eventually be responsible for choosing a nursing home for me to live out my final days.