After 55 years in New York City, Malachy McCourt reflects upon its evolution.

Question: In the 55 years that you’ve lived in New York, how has it evolved?

Malachy McCourt: Well, it’s much faster now – life is much faster, people get past me quicker than when I first came. Economically, it’s been up and down in the 55 years that I have been here.  I absolutely love the public transportation system in New York.  No matter what, no matter how people complain, it is the best in the world.  I like the police force, they are very – they’ve seen everything you know.  Well, there’s 47 people up there on the roof and they are throwing tomatoes.  “Yes sir.  Well thank you.”  They don’t get excited.  “Oh, I have to get out machine guns.”  Like at other places. 

There seems to be less obvious corruption in city government and New York politicians, they aren’t Republican or Democrat, they’re New Yorkers.  I like that.  And New York people are generally speaking, pretty helpful and courteous despite the fact that it says they are supposed to be rude and all that kind of business. 

Times Square has eh – I kind of miss the old sleazy Times Square, in a way.  And yet I don’t mind not being accosted by you know, all sorts of strange people.

Recorded on March 10, 2010