Dim Bulb: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Published October 15, 2011 4:00am ET



WHAT: Told Occupy Wall Street protestors that Zuccotti Park, their ground zero, had to be cleaned up. WHY IT’S DIM: Bloomberg apparently forgot to check signals beforehand with the park’s private owner, who subsequently backed off the mayor’s cleanup demand. Emboldened protesters then attacked police while trying to mob Wall Street during morning rush hour.

CURE: Appeasing mobs works no better than appeasing dictators. Make a plan and stick to it.