Category Archives: National

Garden City, New York, USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTIS speaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts the Gov. DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint at the Cradle of Aviation, on Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry, fromlongisland.com) Feature photo of blog post

Florida is where FOLK go to die from guns, Ron DeSantis

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
April 5, 2023                      fLI OPINION

Nassau County GOP hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis 

On April Fools Day, the Nassau County Republican Committee hosted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. 

DeSantis pitched his Florida Blueprint – politics to the right of Trump – to Long Island.

Scottish Festival at Old Westbury Gardens

Garden City, N.Y. USA. April 1, 2023. Trump supporters protest outside the Cradle of Aviation Museum before the event the Nassau County GOP hosts at CAM for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Before the event started, a few dozen protestors were waving colorful pro-Trump flags at cars passing near CAM’s entrance on Charles Lindberg Blvd.

For though the Long Island event was nominally a stop on the governor’s book tour, it was more importantly an unofficial campaign stop for his undeclared presidential candidacy.

So the Nassau County GOP clearly was no longer acting all in for Trump.

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At entrance to Cradle of Aviation Museum grounds, Trump supporters hold flags by large ‘Chinese Americans… for Trump’ banner during protest before start of event the Nassau County GOP hosts for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Tickets were free, and the first 300 attendees received a free copy of DeSantis’ new book ‘The Courage to be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival.’ 

VIDEO  – As Ron DeSantis speaks, protestor shouts “Trump” repeatedly:


Early in the event, Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO introduced several GOP leaders sitting in the VIP section.

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

At right, former Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford) waves to audience when The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Other GOP notables include, at front far left, former U.S. Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY), and, left of King & wearing red tie, Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park.) (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Prominent Republicans politicians who stood up included Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford), who attended with his wife Rosemary Weidl; former Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY)), who sat with his ex-wife Katuria D’Amato and their two children; and Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park).

Cairo then introduced each speaker, including Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN, former Rep. LEE ZELDIN (R-N.Y.), and, finally, FLA Gov. RON DESANTIS.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN speaks energetically at podium, as Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO looks on, during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

former Rep. Lee Zeldin:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Former Rep. LEE ZELDIN(R-Shirley), the 2022 Republican candidate for N.Y. governor, speaks during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Gov. DeSantis Event –

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Woman in audience holds ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Gov. Ron DeSantis:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTISspeaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

While speaking at the podium, Gov. DeSantis commented about the U.S. Navy F11A Tiger jet suspended overhead and how he had served in the Navy.

While earning his law degree from Harvard University, DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy in 2004, and from then to 2010 was a naval officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps. JAGS are attorneys with knowledge of civilian and military law. 

NAVY jet above former NAVY JAG DeSantis:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. A Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended in the Cradle of Aviation Museum atrium, where Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Nose of jet was over stage. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

DeSantis made many comparisons between Florida and New York, and between Florida and the U.S. government.

An aside: DeSantis said so much he meant as unflattering about New York that I wondered how it struck his hosts. 

NO STATE INCOME TAX – The governor said how Florida, unlike New York, has no state income tax, and how his state has the warmer weather, though no mention was made of his state’s growing hurricane season. And he stressed in how [once COVID increased workers’ opportunity to work from home] the biggest increase in U.S. migration to Florida has come from New York recently. 

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint at the Cradle of Aviation. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CULTURE WARS – Abortion, Education, COVID 19, LGBTQ Rights, Gun Safety….

But it was Opposite Day when Gov. DeSantis presented ways his Trumpian conservative brand of anti-woke CULTURE WARS supposedly is making Florida free. For example:

‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

The governor portrayed his authoritarian approach to what Florida’s schools aren’t allowed to say and do as somehow increasing freedom. 

Florida is where folk go to die from guns   cdc.gov states map 

DeSantis continued to claim Florida has lax gun safety regulations because largely unfettered gun rights are constitutionally guaranteed by the Second Amendment. 

And those regulations are getting even laxer.

On April 3rd, at a non-public event two days after he spoke on Long Island, DeSantis signed legislation allowing residents to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit anywhere in the state. 

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left, ALEX KRAEMER, from NEWSMAX, interviews young man holding ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump supporter is at far right. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Second Amendment, ratified in 1791:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”

DeSantis’ approach to gun safety makes solid sense, as long as one ignores a few things:

1) The first half of the amendment, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,” states the reason for giving the rights is in order to maintain a well regulated Militia. How is that related to a person owning assault rifles, carrying concealed weapons without permits…?

2) In 1791 “Arms” referred to handguns or long guns that could hold one shot at a time.

3) Florida’s rate of deaths due to gunfire is about 3X that of New York, which has significantly stronger gun safety regulation. cdc.gov states map 

with faint praise:

Though Ron DeSantis isn’t quite as big a danger to America as insurrectionist Donald Trump is, the United States of America needs far better than either.

Thankfully, they won’t be our only candidates, Republican or otherwise, for president in 2024.


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTIS speaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts his program on The Florida Blueprint, at the Cradle of Aviation on Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) 


Gov. Ron DeSantis event on Long Island: my PHOTO GALLERY

Everytown for Gun Safety

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

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‘Resist Trump Tuesdays’ TWWLI Visits Sen. Schumer’s LI Office

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
January 26, 2017

This Tuesday, the wet, windy weather didn’t stop 15 members of Together We Will Long Island – TWWLI – from driving to 145 Pine Lawn Road in Melville, where they gathered in the lobby and then took the elevator up to Senator CHUCK SCHUMER‘s office.

Center back in light blue shirt, TWWLI admin SUE MOLLER, of Merrick, and left of her in suit, GARRETT ARMWOOD, Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York; speak when members of Together We Will Long Island stop by Schumer's Melville office to share their concerns, especially about Trump's Cabinet appointees, #SwampCabinet. This Stop Trump Tuesday, #StopTrumpTuesday, event was part of nationwide political movement. Members of organizations such as MoveOn, Indivisible, and TWW plan to visit their Senators' offices each Tuesday duringTrump's first 100 days of presidency. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Melville, NY, USA. Jan. 24, 2017. Members of Together We Will Long Island meet with (top left in suit) GARRETT ARMWOOD, Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during first ‘Resist Trump Tuesdays.’ (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

It was the first Resist Trump Tuesdays – when activist groups such as MoveOn, Indivisible, and TWW visited the members’ federal government representatives to express concerns related to President Trump.

A group member knocked on Schumer’s door, and when a staffer answered, it was clear the office couldn’t fit the 15 members, so they met with GARRET ARMWOOD, the senator’s L.I. Regional Director, in a nearby hall surrounding a circular staircase.

SUE MOLLER, who’s one of TWWLI’s admins, and my daughter, had arranged the group’s drop-in visit and written a letter to the senator that stated the group’s concerns over Trump’s Cabinet appointees. After she read the letter to Armwood, several group members asked him questions and brought up additional concerns.

  • FYI from Long Island: #StopTrumpTuesday – #ResistTrumpTuesdays – #SwampCabinet are 3 hashtags related to this event.

Later, back in the lobby, the members agreed the meeting was a success. TWWLI plans to continue dropping by Senator Schumer’s office to express their concerns regarding Trump each Tuesday* during the President’s first 100 days in office.  (*see update below)

Melville, New York, USA. January 24, 2017. Fourteen members of Together We Will Long Island pose for photo with GARRETT ARMWOOD, Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). (© 2017 Ann Parry/ann-parry.com)

Melville, New York, USA. January 24, 2017. Fifteen members of Together We Will Long Island pose for photo with GARRETT ARMWOOD (tall man center of back row), the Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). (© 2017 Ann Parry/ann-parry.com)

Staff at some rep’s offices, such as Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand, met with activists; staff at some other rep’s offices did not.

UPDATE – Feb. 6, 2017:  On Resist Trump Tuesdays, members from more than one activist organization continue to protest outside the Melville offices of Senators Gillibrand and Schumer.

TWWLI aims to communicate as effectively as possible its ongoing concerns about Trump’s goals & actions. So, at this time, rather than have a large group of TWWLI members go to the senators’ L. I. offices, a few of them drop off items such as members’ short videos and notes at each office.


  • FEATURE PHOTO  (at top of post):  Melville, NY, USA.  January 24, 2017. Fourteen members of Together We Will Long Island gather in lobby of building U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has his Melville office in. Members included (clockwise starting left):  (in black cap) SHERRY MEDEROS, of Copiague; (in light blue TWWLI shirt) administrator SUE MOLLER of Merrick; social media director JUAN ALICEA, of Medford; member; (in blue cap) ANDREA ROSS BOYLE, of Dix Hills; (in coral sweater) TEDRA GRANT, of Dix Hills; member; (at upper right) PHILIP SOLIS, of Dix Hills; member; (holding coat) ERICA DORAN, of Syosset; LAURIE MITCHEL, of West Babylon.

TWWLI LINK :  Readers are asking for TWWLI contact info:


Resist Trump Tuesdays:  my photo GALLERY

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