Category Archives: Politics

[Feature Photo] Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. L-R, Congressman TOM SUOZZI gives a thumbs up to SETH KOSLOW, at the Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive Spring Gala. (© 2025 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive Spring Gala

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
June 4, 2025

Five months until General Election

SETH KOSLOW, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive, had a Spring Gala at City Cellar in Westbury this Monday.

His special guests were JAY JACOBS, the NYS Chair of the Democratic Committee; Congressman TOM SUOZZI; and former Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN.

VIDEO– from Seth Koslow’s speech at Spring Gala, 6/2/2025:

Koslow, a Nassau County legislator (LD 5 – Merrick), is challenging current Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican. On his site “TruthSocial,” President Trump endorsed Blakeman.

“Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive

Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. L-R, JAY JACOBS, Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee; former Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN; Nassau County Legislator SETH KOSLOW, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive; and Congressman TOM SUOZZI are at the Seth Koslow Spring Gala. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

First, Jacobs, Gillen, and Suozzi each spoke in support of Koslow’s candidacy. They also stressed how important it is to vote during this odd-year election. Voter turnout is traditionally lower when local races are the only ones on the ballot.

“Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive

Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. L-R, Congressman TOM SUOZZI explains why he supports Democrat SETH KOSLOW, at the Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive Spring Gala. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Koslow’s speech

After Koslow introduced his family and shared a brief background about himself, he explained why Nassau County needs a new County Executive. Then he said what his major goals are for the office of Nassau County Executive and gave examples of ways he plans to achieve those goals once he’s elected.

“Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive

Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. Back row, L-R, Congressman TOM SUOZZI, and Legislator SETH KOSLOW, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive, are with members of Koslow’s family: L-R, his sister MICHELLE; his mother KAREN; his mother-in-law NANCY; and his wife JILL KOSLOW. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

  • his background

Seth Koslow was born in Baldwin, and he and his wife Jill are raising their three children, who go to public schools, in Merrick.

After leaving the DA office, he started his own legal practice in this area.

When he ran for Nassau County legislator two years ago, he was able to get the backing of all three police unions because, as he said, they understood he isn’t extreme and he wants to get the job done.

  • change needed

Koslow said, “Under Bruce Blakeman, our taxes have gone up and our trust has gone down, and that’s a problem, We have to change that.”

  • militia

Koslow said that the first thing he’s going to do when elected is “disband that ridiculous militia.”

“Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive

Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. L-R, JILL KOSLOW, former Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN, Congressman TOM SUOZZI, and NY Assemblywoman CATALINA CRUZ (District 39), are at the Spring Gala for Seth Koslow, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive, and Jill’s husband. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

  • potholes – police patrols – property taxes

Summarizing most of what he’s running for and why he’s running, Koslow said, “This campaign is all about potholes, police patrols, and property taxes.”

So, he explained, “if it doesn’t make it more affordable to live here, if it doesn’t keep you safer, or it doesn’t fix a road, it’s simply not a priority.”

  • make county more affordable

Koslow said that, as soon as he’s elected and takes office, he’ll enlist the State Controller’s Office to do a full audit of county spending.

He’ll cut wasteful spending to give back to the taxpayers.

Koslow’s goal is to get things done, to do the job – unlike, he said, the current county executive.

outside legal fees

To save money Koslow’s going to cut 15 million dollars spent on outside legal feels in outside council.

county cars

Koslow said many non-essential employees have some of the over 100 county cars, with insurance gas and vehicles paid for by the county. He wants to stop this unnecessary spending.

“Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive

Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. L-R, SETH KOSLOW, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive, and VIVIANA RUSSELL, candidate for Nassau County Legislative District 2, are at the Koslow Spring Gala. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

  • safety

Koslow will work with police departments and police unions to find inefficiencies, to make sure departments are fully staffed, and police officers aren’t overworked with so much overtime.

He said, “And I want to make sure our police are doing the best they can to keep us the  safest county in America, that they were under Laura Curran.”

  • his promise

Seth Koslow promised, “I’m going to be a county executive for everybody… I’m going to do what’s best for Nassau County.” 

“Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive

Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. L-R, JILL KOSLOW and her husband SETH KOSLOW, the Democratic candidate for Nassau County Executive, are at his Spring Gala. Seth Koslow is a Nassau County legislator (Democrat – 5th District). (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Watch the video of the speech (near top of this post) for an even fuller understanding of Seth Koslow the candidate and why he’s running for Nassau County Executive.  


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. L-R, Congressman TOM SUOZZI gives a thumbs up to SETH KOSLOW at the Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive Spring Gala. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


NYS General Election 2025 useful info:

NYS Register to Vote: https://elections.ny.gov/register-vote
online voter registration; change address…

NYS Ways to Vote: https://elections.ny.gov/ways-vote
request ballot; early voting…

NYS General Election Dates:
Nov 4 – General Election
Oct 25-Nov 2 Days of Early Voting for General Election

Downloadable document with additional useful info:
https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/12/2025-political-calendar-quad-fold-final-12.5.2024.pdf


Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive: my Photo Gallery

Seth Koslow for County Executive: sethkoslow.com

CONTACT ME

“Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive

Westbury, New York, U.S. June 2, 2025. The Seth Koslow for Nassau County Executive Spring Gala is held at City Cellar. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. U.S. Rep. LAURA GILLEN (Democrat - NY District 4) answers a question during her in-person Town Hall at Hofstra University on Long Island. (© 2025 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Rep. Laura Gillen reaches across the aisles at Hofstra town hall

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 18, 2025 

  • America’s just barely a functioning democracy  (author’s opinion)

Wanting to get a good aisle seat at Congresswoman Laura Gillen’s town hall, I arrived at Hofstra’s Student Center Theater shortly after 5pm, an hour before doors opened.

VIDEO: Rep. Laura Gillen (NY04) gives an Update at Town Hall:

During the wait, I chatted with someone nearby on line. Suddenly she looked up at me and paused. In little more than a whisper, she said, “I have pension funds invested in the stock market… but I still hope it crashes.”

Then she gave me a little “You know what I mean, don’t you?” nod.

I knew, and I wasn’t shocked.

America’s just barely a functioning democracy. So if someone feels little is making the president obey the law and constitution, tragically, a stock market crash might seem an acceptable horror if it put Trump in check.

By the time the town hall began, I didn’t notice any empty seats. First three Girl Scouts marched up to the stage, where they led the Pledge of Allegiance. Then KIM DOMAGE, of Calvary Tabernacle, sang the Star Spangled Banner.

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 16, 2025. KIM DOMAGE, of Calvary Tabernacle, sings the National Anthem during Rep. Gillen’s town hall. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Rep. Laura Gillen (NY04), who’s on the Transportation & Infrastructure and the Science, Space & Technology Committees, began with  an update about her first months in Congress.  [see above video]

When the moderator, Hofstra Professor of Political Science, ROSANNA PEROTTI, explained she’d pick constituents’ questions from a bowl and read them aloud, several audience members called out that people who submitted questions should be able to ask them. 

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 16, 2025. L-R, Dr. ROSANNA PEROTTI , Hofstra Professor of Political Science, reads a constituent’s question out loud as U.S. Rep. LAURA GILLEN (Dem – NY04) listens during her town hall. At left is a blue bowl filled with constituents’ questions written on paper slips. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Rep. Laura Gillen and audience members appeared to agree on several questions, including ones about working to reinstate the SALT tax deduction, improve roadway safety and poor water quality, and protect social security and medicare.

LAKEN RILEY ACT

VIDEO: Rep. Gillen’s Town Hall, Laken Riley Act:

But there were also questions on topics some audience members strongly disagree about with the congresswoman. 

Based on angry comments I read on social media after Gillen voted for the Laken Riley Act, I wasn’t surprised when her statements such as, “I support the Laken Riley Act, and I’d vote for it again,” drew loud criticism from several audience members.

After a man shouted, “You should be ashamed of yourself!” security escorted him out of the theater.

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. During Rep. Laura Gillen’s town hall at Hofstra, audience members turn to back of theater where people are shouting in protest against Gillen’s vote for the Laken Riley Act. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

TARIFFS & DISCHARGE

VIDEO: Rep. Gillen Town Hall, tariffs & discharge petition:

The audience supported Rep. Gillen’s strong attack against the president’s contradictory, extreme, and unpredictable words and actions about tariffs

Gillen explained there’s a bipartisan (Republican & Democrat) and bicameral (House and Senate) bill, the “Trade Review Act of 2025,” aiming to reassert Congress’s authority over trade policy. It includes that any tariff implemented by administration has to be reviewed by Congress within 60 days, and Congress can stop a tariff at any time.

Rep. Gillen feels the bill is important and hopes it will make it through the House and Senate.  

She explained how the House of Representatives is a majority rules place, and a discharge petition is the one way to get around Speaker of the House Johnson’s control of what Congress votes on.

However, Rep. Gillen candidly described a discharge petition as a long shot, particularly because the procedure requires some Republican to sign onto the petition.

Then she added, “But the more pressure that our colleagues feel to uphold the rule of law, the more likely they might be to join us on some legislation.

When an audience member called out asking what happens if the bill passes but Trump vetoes it, Rep. Gillen slowly said, “If Trump vetoes it… he vetoes it.”

Prof. Rosanna Perotti, the moderator, added, “We all know what happens at that point. That’s the civics thing.” Then she read the next question.

At the end of the town hall, several audience members also made their frustration clear when they shouted the president must be impeached.

FUTURE TOWN HALLS

Rep. Gillen’s town hall was the first of a series she plans to hold. I want to attend others because I learned quite a few things and appreciated hearing the audience reactions during the Hofstra town hall.

About civic engagement: 

Constituents who see the president as acting in an unconstitutional way need to feel hope it’s possible to stop those actions.

Civic engagement was touched on, for example, when Gillen stated how [constituents] putting pressure on [her Republican] colleagues can help pass bills, and Perotti said if Trump vetoes a bill then it’s time for the “the civics thing.”

But I’m not sure if many audience members had time during the event to appreciate the crucial role civic engagement may play when Republicans control the Executive Branch, both Houses, and have a conservative Supreme Court. 

Building on that,  it could be helpful to:

  • discuss in detail how civic engagement is crucial because it helps put pressure on officials or candidates we disagree with, and helps support ones we agree with. Discuss the role marches, protests, contacting elected officials, volunteering for candidates… can play.)
  • We need to feel our elected officials are listening to us. 
    If the audience brings up impeachment, explain what facts make it unrealistic right now. Go over those reasons even if they were discussed earlier in a different context.

For those of us who agree America’s just barely a functioning democracy: Work to help get our country through this crisis.


also seen at town hall:

“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. Dr. JOYLETTE WILLIAMS, Democratic candidate for Nassau County Clerk, attends Rep. Gillen’s town hall. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

    • Rep. Gillen’s Hofstra town hall
“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. JOE SCIANABLO, Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead Supervisor, attends Rep. Gillen’s Town Hall at Hofstra University on Long Island. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


fLI FYI:

from authoritarian’s playbook

  • attack the Free Press
  • attack the Rule of Law
  • attack Academic Institutions
  • attack Civil Liberties such as free speech and freedom of religion
  • silence Political Opponents

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

democracy – representative democracy – republic

  • Democracy has different forms, including representative democracy and direct democracy – similar to how a car can be a pickup truck, a limousine, an SUV.
  • Representative democracy and republic are basically the same.
  • Our founders referred to our representative democracy or republic as a democracy

Feature Photo  (at top of post):  Hempstead, New York, U.S. April 16, 2025. Congresswoman LAURA A. GILLEN (NY-04) holds town hall at Hofstra University. 


Rep. Laura Gillen’s town hall:  my PHOTO GALLERY my VIDEOS

Rep. Laura Gillen:  gillen.house.govcontact/newsletter subscribe

Hofstra University:  hofstra.eduDept. of Political Science

Girl Scouts of Nassau County:  gsnc.org

Kim Domage:  facebook.com/kim.domage

Joe Scianablo:  facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575047587490

CONTACT ME


“Rep. Laura Gillen's Hofstra Town Hall

Hempstead, N.Y., U.S. April 16, 2025. U.S. Rep. LAURA GILLEN (D-NY04) holds an in-person town hall at Hofstra University. (©2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The 1.5" medal, designed and sculpted by artist John P. McGraw, is a bronze duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medals awarded to U.S. Capitol police and other officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection. The front features the U.S. Capitol and date January 6th, 2021. On the back, obverse side, "Honoring the service and sacrifice of those who protected the U.S. Capitol" has a 'U.S. Capitol Police 1828' badge above it and a 'Metropolitan Police 1861' badge below it. The medal is mounted with 5 long strands of 21mm copper wire wrapped around the edge of the coin, and one strand wrapped into a loop at top to hang from a necklace. (© 2025 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Mounting the U.S. Mint January 6 Bronze Medal

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry  (annparry.com)
March 31, 2025      

mounting “insurrection coin” with 21mm copper wire

My cousin LOUIS GOLINO is a knowledgeable numismatist who writes for some of the most respected coin organizations and publications.

As a long-time casual coin collector, I enjoy his articles because they’re interesting and he presents solid information in a clear, inviting way.

Recently I read his article “Controversy Surrounds January 6 Medals” in the American Numismatic Association’s readingroom.money.org. 

The 1.5″ and 3″ medals, designed and sculpted by artist JOHN P. McGRAW, are bronze duplicates of the Congressional Gold Medals awarded to U.S. Capitol police and other officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection. 

“Jan 6 Bronze Medal

The U.S. Mint 1.5″ medal – the obverse shown here – is a bronze duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medals awarded to U.S. Capitol police and other officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection. The front features the U.S. Capitol and date ‘January 6th, 2021.’ (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

After reading the article, I was so interested in the medal – because of the heroes it honors, its design, and the controversy surrounding how the Trump administration altered its official description – that I visited its U.S. Mint page.

The obverse (front side) of the medal prominently features the U.S. Capitol and has “January 6th, 2025” along the bottom.

The reverse (back side) includes design elements quite specific to January 6th. The inscription “Honoring the service and sacrifice of those who protected the U.S. Capitol” has a U.S. Capitol Police 1828 badge above it and a Metropolitan Police 1861 badge below it.

Along the left edge of the back is an American flag with “Act of Congress 2021” at the bottom. That refers to how “Public Law 117-32 authorized ‘four congressional gold medals to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.'” [info from usmint.gov]

“Jan 6 Bronze Medal

The U.S. Mint 1.5″ medal – the reverse shown here – is a bronze duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medals awarded to U.S. Capitol police and other officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection. . (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I ordered the smaller medal, which was a reasonable size (1.5″ diameter) and price ($20). To help make the medals widely available, there’s no mintage limit, product limit, nor household order limit.

Then, after researching online how to mount a coin, I bought 21mm copper wire that’s tarnish resistant, a jewelry wire cutter, and pair of 6 in 1 ball making pliers. 

Mounting the medal/coin
 1.  First wrap 21mm copper wire around the edge of the coin, and add an extra 1.5″ to that length.
Cut five strands of wire each that total length.
 2.  Next, wrap the five strands of wire around the coin, with the middle of the strands at the bottom of the coin.
Using three short pieces of wire, lash the five strands together where they’re at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock around the coin.
 3.  Then, at the top of the coin, wrap a wire (a few inches long) twice around the 10 strands, where the five wires overlap.
With that wire create a loop a necklace cord can fit through.
Next wrap that wire once around the 10 strands, and then twist it around the looped wire so the loop’s two strands thick.
Then wrap the wire around the 10 strands a final two times.
Or use a separate wire to make the loop for the necklace.
 4.  Finally, using the ball pliers, create a small coil from each of the ten ends of wire flaring at the top of the medal.

I’m happy I mounted the January 6 bronze medal and look forward to wearing it hanging from a 3mm thick black woven cord. But I wouldn’t personally mount any coin or medal that’s expensive or has a mintage limit.

Why? Thanks to my imperfect control of the copper wires, my January 6th bronze medal now has little battle scars. (No need to mention that to my cousin Louis)


January 6 Bronze Medal: my PHOTO GALLERY

U.S. Mint: United States Capitol Police and Those Who Protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 Bronze Medalusmint.gov/united-states-capitol-police-and-those-who-protected-the-us-capitol-on-january-6-2021-bronze-medal-MASTER_MDJ6.html

“Controversy Surrounds January 6 Medals” by Louis Golino:  readingroom.money.org/controversy-surrounds-january-6-medals

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