Tag Archives: Pete King

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.

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.

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:

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:

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 –

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:

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:

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.

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.

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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Grechen Shirley & Gregory Debate: Rivals of ‘The King’

To Light a Candle… 9/11

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 11, 2017

On each anniversary of September 11, 2001, but not only on each anniversary, I remember the events of that day and how they’ve changed our world.

On Sept. 11, 2001, we were a week or so into the new school year at Grand Avenue Middle School in Bellmore, Long Island. Except for our class computers suddenly losing internet access early that morning, it began as an ordinary Tuesday.

[You can click on each photo below]

Sept. 11, 2012 - Merrick, New York, U.S. - LYLA W., 3, and KATE O., 2, helping place 500 Luminary Bags (votive candle in each bag will be lit at dark) in front of 215 Wenshaw Park homes, on 11th Anniversary of 9/11, by Wenshaw Park Civic Association (WPCA), Long Island, with over $500 already raised for Twin Towers Orphan Fund. (Ann Parry/-)

Merrick, NY, USA. Sept. 11, 2012. LYLA W., 3, and KATE O., 2, help place 500 luminary bags (votive candle in each bag will be lit at dark) in front of 215 Wenshaw Park homes, by Wenshaw Park Civic Association, Long Island, to raise funds for Twin Towers Orphan Fund. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Then, as students passed from one class to another, a few of my writing students came in announcing news they’d heard on the radio in art class: “Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers!”

“What?!” I said. “Well… one plane might have that sort of accident, but not two – the same day. Someone must’ve heard the info wrong.”

But, over the loudspeaker later that morning, our principal, Fino Celano, gave us the news – calmly, solemnly – of the terrorist attacks on Manhattan’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon… then the plane crash in the Pennsylvania field. No one had heard the info wrong.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. March 31, 2012. Back row L-R, Firefighter RAY PFEIFER and Congressman PETE KING (Rep. - NY02), and, front row, son TERRENCE PFEIFER, daughter TAYLOR PFEIFER, and wife CARYN PFEIFER, pose for photo at fundraiser for Ray Pfeifer, an FDNY firefighter battling cancer after months of recovery efforts at Ground Zero following 9/11 2001 Twin Towers attack. Benefit was held at East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

East Meadow, NY, U.S. March 31, 2012. Back row L-R, Firefighter RAY PFEIFER and Congressman PETE KING (Rep. – NY02), and, front row, son TERRENCE PFEIFER, daughter TAYLOR PFEIFER, and wife CARYN PFEIFER, pose for photo at fundraiser for Ray Pfeifer, an FDNY firefighter battling cancer after months of recovery efforts at Ground Zero following 9/11 2001 Twin Towers attack. Benefit was held at East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall. © 2012 (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When I got home from school that afternoon, the tile floors our construction workers had ripped up from the kitchen and surrounding rooms the day before were more scattered than stacked. We were replacing our radiant in-floor heating, and the ground floor looked “like a bomb went off” – though I felt guilty even having that thought.

So the night of September 11, 2001, my husband Len, my older daughter Sue and I ate dinner at a local cafe.

Throughout the meal we watched the news coverage of the attacks on the TV up in the corner, and whispered “Nightmare… surreal… oh my god….”

Manhattan, NY, USA. March 17, 2009. FDNY firefighter LUKE ALLEN wears in his hat a card with photo of his older brother firefighter RICHARD D. ALLEN, one of 343 FDNY firefighters killed responding to terrorist attacks on Twin Towers 9/11. (© 2009 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Manhattan, NY, USA. March 17, 2009. Marching in St. Patrick’s Day Parade, FDNY firefighter LUKE ALLEN displays on his hat a photo of his older brother firefighter RICHARD D. ALLEN, one of 343 FDNY firefighters killed responding to terrorist attacks on Twin Towers Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2009 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

My younger daughter Laurie was at college in Westchester. During one of our calls later that week, I told her I wanted to get her a cell phone, especially because of her trips between college and home.

Though she didn’t think she needed one, by the end of the call she understood that her mom really needed her to have one.

Bellmore, New York, USA. 11th September 2015. L-R, Bellmore Fire Dept. Chief DANIEL HOLL, Pastor and Chaplain JAMES BARNUM, 1st Deputy VINCENT MONTERA, 2nd Deputy TOM STOERGEN, and Chaplain DENNIS RICH stand next to a monument that’s a piece of structural steel from the Twin Towers, during the Bellmore Memorial Ceremony for 3 Bellmore volunteer firefighters and 7 residents who died due to 9/11 NYC terrorist attacks. Elevated platform of Bellmore LIRR Station is in background. (© 2015 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Our neighbors across the street lost their son who worked in the Twin Towers.

A Grand Avenue coworker lost her first responder firefighter husband, and two of our students lost their fathers.

During lunch period, a fellow teacher told us how ever since 9/11 he was having nightmares about being trapped underground.

And American flags multiplied everywhere, and so did patience and kindness. I didn’t notice a car horn honking for at least a year.

And we also had color-coded terrorism threat advisories….

Manhattan, NY, USA. January 9, 2012. Movie poster EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE is displayed lit at night over Penn Station subway entrance with Empire State Building in background. Fictional movie is set at time of 9/11 terrorist attacks on Twin Towers in NYC. (© 2012 Ann E Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Since 2001 our country and many others continue to have terror threat alerts — for events, buildings, airlines & metros, cities….

And I do feel a bit reckless, a tiny bit brave, heading to Manhattan when a terror alert’s been issued.

North Bellmore Fire Department 9/11 remembrance ceremony and unveiling of two pieces of steel from World Trade Center added to existing 9/11 monument, North Bellmore, New York, USA, on September 10, 2011. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. Sept. 10, 2011. North Bellmore Fire Department 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and unveiling of two pieces of steel from World Trade Center added to existing 9/11 monument. (© 2011 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

My young grandson and younger granddaughter, along with all children, can only imagine the world before 9/11/2001 through images and stories that grow older as they do.

And I can barely begin to imagine the feelings and pain of those killed, injured, struck with cancer, and of those who lost loved ones, due to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Removing American Flag to reveal monument made with steel from World Trade Center, at the Merrick Post #1282 American Legion Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 ceremony, are (left to right) Rabbi Paul Kirchner, Father Eric Fasano, Adjutant Robert Tom Riordan PCC, and North Merrick Fire Dept. Ex. Chief Henry Hinrichs, at Merrick Veterans Memorial Park, Merrick, New York, USA, on September 11, 2011.(Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. Sept. 11, 2011. Removing American Flag to reveal monument made with steel from World Trade Center, at Merrick Post #1282 American Legion 10th Anniversary of 9/11 ceremony, are (L-R) Rabbi PAUL KIRCHNER; Father ERIC FASANO; Adjutant ROBERT TOM RIORDAN, PCC; and North Merrick Fire Dept. Ex. Chief HENRY HINRICHS at Merrick Veterans Memorial Park. (© 2011 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

With gratitude to the first responders and other 9/11 heroes – and with hope – I can never forget. – Ann

“It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” – Chinese Proverb

East Meadow, New York, USA. Summer 2017. Four birds fly over Twin Towers sculpture monument at Eisenhower Park 9/11 Monument section. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

UPDATE July 30, 2019: Head of the U.S. Executive Branch signed bi-partisan 9/11 Victim Compensation bill: “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.”

9/11 Over the Years: PHOTO GALLERY

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Tag Archives: Pete King

Nassau County GOP hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Grechen Shirley & Gregory Debate: Rivals of ‘The King’

To Light a Candle… 9/11