Donald Trump on NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio

No wonder GOP 2016  Presidential hopeful Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) railed against New York Values at the Republican Debate in Charleston. 

During the exchange between GOP front runners Donald Trump seemed to have won the day with his paean to the heroes of 9/11.  However, reliable Iowa Caucus attendees what Cruz meant by New York Values.  Trump's comments about  New York City Mayor "Comrade" Bill De Blasio (D-NYC) as well as the mogul's 1998 interview with Tim Russert  underline New York Values. 

Scrutinizing who Donald Trump talked up prior to running for President as a Republican gives insight into his political values, the longevity of his beliefs, his judgment  and with whom the billionaire real estate/ television celebrity chooses to curry favor. 

Pope Francis at Ground Zero

During his visit to New York City, Pope Francis participated in an interfaith prayer service at Ground Zero.  This ecumenical approach continues the theme of encounter and openness to companion with others to foster the greater glory of God, which are bedrock Ignatian (Jesuit) principles.

The pontiff's remarks centered on peace and sought to transform through prayer the tears of sadness into a practical resolve for peace.

NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio on IDs for Illegals

  While it is no surprise that a progressive politician such as Bill De Blasio wants to welcome those who are socially disadvantaged, like people who broke immigration laws.   Some states like California, are trying to get everyone operating on the roads with a drivers license for safety concerns. Unfortunately, making the privilege of driving available to indocumentados does not mean that they will qualify.  About half of the illegal immigrants taking the California DMV test failed, often more than once. 

 But such bleeding hearts usually just  refer to the group  as "undocumented Americans".   De Blasio apologized if these people felt like "second class" citizens.  Really?  This is insulting to those who follow the rule of law like citizens, taxpayers and especially those honorable immigrants who played by the rules and endured the long and costly process to become a legal citizen of the United States. 

The IDs which the undocumented New Yorkers will not only allow them to use banks and fly on airplanes.  It also entitles them to use the 33 city agencies.  How do such residents treat the civic largess?  The track record for this class of immigrants is not promising.  




If  they do not necessarily have Social Security numbers, they will either use false IDs or work under the table.  Perhaps President Obama's extra-legal Executive Action moots that issue before the judicial branch which makes it a political issue not to be overturned with a chary Congressional leadership.

President Obama allowed a large influx of Central American immigrants to migrate to America and be disbursed on their own recognizance throughout the United States so long as they showed up for their scheduled INS hearing. The government now reports that 96% of these people were "in abstentia" (i.e. no shows). 

Many suspect that some politicians encourage immigration of "undocumented Americans" as a way to increase voter turnout.  In Maryland, it is estimated that 7% of the electorate may be comprised of illegal immigrants.  This was determined cross checking voter rolls to  jury summons which were appealed because they were not US Citizens.

As this nation tries to grapple with the thorny subject of illegal immigration, we ought to stop ignoring the rule of law by minimizing the duties along with the rights of citizens.

Alec Baldwin Vents About NYC

Alec Baldwin was upset the other day after being arrested for bicycling the wrong way on Fifth Avenue near Union Square.  Since the star of 30 Rock was not carrying ID and the cops did not fall for the "Do you know who I am?" routine, NYPD procedure mandated that he was taken to the police station.  Baldwin lived up to his mercurial reputation, so he was cited both for a traffic violation and a charge of disorderly contact.

When Baldwin was released, he took to Twitter to vent.  It is dubious if his social activism will have the popular appeal of #BringBackOurGirls.

A Taiwanese animation studio prepared a tongue-in-cheek concept video chronicling Baldwin's bicycle adventure.



One wonders if Baldwin's bilious blurtations were just an emotional cathartic, if this was a deeper critique of the Nanny State wrought by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the current progressive  Mayor Bill DeBlasio, or if Baldwin has finally concluded that big brother government onerously impinges on individual liberty.

Anthony Weiner Comes Up Short and Signs Off

Yesterday, New York City voters voted in the mayoral primary. The 2013 race captured a national interest not only because it was mayor of America's largest city but also because of a notorious candidate who had a serious chance to reside at Gracie Mansion with his Hillary Clinton connected  until he again became a national punchline.

 Anothony Weiner (D-NYC), the disgraced former 9th District Congressman who was forced to resign  his 9th District Congressional seat after a sexting scandal in 2011 tried to make a comeback by running for mayor of the Big Apple.  Weiner was ahead in late July, until it came out that Weiner was still sexting as he was plotting his comeback, including with Sydney Leathers, a twenty-something Indiana Democrat politico who he promised to set up in a love shack condo in Chicago when typing sweet nothings.

Weiner's support shrank from around 25% to 6% on election day.  Yet in the waning days of the campaign, NBC invited Weiner to be on Meet The Press. Perhaps, it was his prolonged public meltdown, as he berated prospective mayoral voters.  Of course the Lamestream Media loves as a good sex scandal, and Weiner was a gift that kept on giving.  In a celebrity culture, Weiner was the only "star" so it was easy to continue to give him the limelight, even on the near certain road to destruction.

Weiner ran behind and came in fourth.  The former Democrat star gave an "interesting" concession speech.


Did he really have to say that he "came up short"?  Perhaps he was still stimulated by the appearance of his internet inamorato Sydney Leathers at the final rally.

Anthony Weiner sexting partner Sydney Leathers at Weiner Concession Rally, NYC  09/10/2013

In departing from the public scene, Weiner signed off and revealed his true character.

Anthony Weiner gesturing from car on 9/10/2013 [photo:  @LyndseyChrist/Twitter]

May this be the last the public needs to pay attention to this loser political hot dog. Perhaps Weiner can consult with ex San Diego mayor Bob Filner (D-San Diego)  about which sex therapy treatment is preferable. Irregardless of the choice, may it be out  of sight and out of public office.

New York City voters also showed some discernment that they did not elect millionaire disgraced former Governor Eliot Spitzer (D-NY) as comptroller.  Spitzer who resigned after it was revealed that he was "Client Number 9" for a high class prostitute service.

It is unclear what Spitzer's future plans are.  The last time Spitzer unsuccessfully tried a stint on CNN.  Maybe Al Jazeera America is still be hiring