Category Archives: National

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)

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

Nassau County GOP hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

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

Nassau County Republican Committee Unhitches its Wagon from Uprising Star Trump

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

CONTACT ME

‘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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