Latest news with #GuardianAngels
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Eric Adams quietly tries to rally NYC Republicans to run on GOP line or back his independent mayoral bid -- as politicos grew fearful of socialist Zohran Mamdani
If at first you don't succeed… Mayor Eric Adams is try-trying again to court Big Apple Republicans into supporting his re-election bid — banking on growing fears over socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani's surging campaign, The Post has learned. Sources said the mayor himself as well as his allies have been making calls to GOP bigwigs with a pitch to either ditch their beret-wearing mayoral contender Curtis Sliwa and put Adams on their coveted party line — or publicly back his independent run. Advertisement 'The Adams campaign is a slapped together group of people who may not like each other but fear a Mamdani mayorship,' said a source with knowledge of the moderate Democrat's entreaties across the aisle. 'Adams is doing a political Rorschach Test saying, 'If you don't help me you're going to be dead.'' Hizzoner has been personally calling individual county Republican leaders, who have privately voiced support for the incumbent, to gauge whether they'd back him over their presumptive mayoral nominee Sliwa — a potentially tricky prospect. Advertisement 'It's a smart move, he needs to get them away from Curtis,' a political insider said. The source noted that Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder, likely won't beat the Democratic primary winner — be it frontrunner Andrew Cuomo or Mamdani, who now is within striking distance of the ex-gov, according to the latest polling. If Adams gets the support of local GOP bigwigs, 'He'll have a more united front' — made up of a bipartisan coalition of moderate Democrats and Republicans the operative said. 'It's a winning strategy.' Advertisement The talks also signal concern in Adams' camp that his run on two independent party lines is doomed. Adams previously came up empty when he explored the move back in February as a political Hail Mary, that The Post revealed, in case he lost the Democratic primary — a likely outcome, given his growing political alliance with President Trump and controversial dismissal of his federal corruption case. But Republicans rebuffed the mayor and consolidated support behind Sliwa, their 2021 candidate who handily lost to Adams. Sources said Adams knows he likely won't gain the actual GOP nomination, but can cobble together a coalition of conservative and moderate power players to back him based on their shared fear of Mamdani becoming mayor. Advertisement One source said Adams even believes that if Mamdani beats Cuomo in the June 24 primary, it'll help his re-election bid in November's general election, giving him a path forward to go up against the polarizing lefty candidate. Adams campaign spokesman Todd Shapiro didn't deny that the mayor is making overtures to Republicans. 5 Mayor Eric Adams has been reaching out to Republican leaders for support, insiders say. Matthew McDermott 5 Socialist Zohran Mamdani is within striking distance of the Democratic mayoral nomination — a prospect that worries many city power players. Robert Miller 'Mayor Adams is running as an independent leader for all New Yorkers—and that means he's being supported by both Democrats and Republicans who care about results, not rhetoric,' Shapiro said in a statement. 'This election is about leadership, not labels. If the mayor were to enter a primary, he would draw thousands of Republicans and Democrats, just like he did the first time—because people vote for results, not party politics.' 5 Curtis Sliwa dismissed Adams' rumored attempt to bigfoot his way onto the Republican party line. Michael McWeeney 5 Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is the frontrunner in the Democratic primary, but has seen Mamdani nipping at his heels. Stephen Yang Advertisement A chippy Sliwa, when asked about Adams' renewed GOP overtures and attempt to bigfoot onto the Republican party line, vowed he's 'not going anywhere.' 5 Adams hopes he can capitalize on fears over the socialist Mamdani. Paul Martinka 'Eric Adams had his shot to get into a primary and backed down because he knew he would get crushed by me,' Sliwa boasted. 'Now he is a man with no party, scrambling to stay relevant with a last ditch effort that is as pathetic as it is desperate.' Dislodging Sliwa — who has the support of all five GOP county chairs — would also be a tall order under an obscure New York election law going back to the 1940s known as 'Wilson Pakula' that aims to stop party jumping. Advertisement The only way under the law for Adams to pull a switcheroo with Sliwa will be for the red beret-wearing Guardian Angels founder to die, be named a judge or move out of New York City — in addition to gaining the backing of Republican county chairs. Insiders said the GOP leaders all like Adams — who was a registered Republican from 1997 to 2001 before switching back to the Democrats — but don't see Sliwa going along with any swap, barring an act from Trump. 'Trump would have to line up a job for Curtis,' one source said. Adams has maintained he's still a Democrat, albeit one ditched by the leftward turn of his party. Advertisement Adams also has continued to cozy up to Trump, including this week as he followed in the cryptocurrency-friendly, golf-loving president's footsteps by attending a Las Vegas crypto conference and name-dropping the vice president. 'In my conclusion, Vice President Vance said something that you should all listen to, we must be part of the political strength in our country,' Adams told the crowd 'In golf, they say you drive for show but you putt for dough,' he added, stumbling over the golf reference.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Angels Medical Service Dogs give our veterans the support they need at home
Every day, in every way, the bond between man and dog is unmistakable. It's physical and emotional, but for Megan Stanislow and her service dog, Josie, it's protection and medical service for a veteran combating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. "Just watching you with her eyes, don't do anything, she's got my back," said Stanislow. Stanislow calls the partnership between Josie and her "the perfect pairing." For 18 years, Stanislow served as an electronic technician in the U.S. Navy. She said, "For me, I was assaulted," she said. "In active duty, women make up 7% of our armed forces, at least when I was in. We're talking 2007-2008, you just bear it. You know, things happen, move on, keep going, and that's what happened." She explained that the trauma and PTSD caught up with her when she got out of the service. "It was even while I was in, I could not go to the grocery store, Walmart, other places without somebody else in tow," Stanislow said. "I realized it was bad." So, she knew she needed to reach out, to find some help. Then, just over a year ago, Stanislow got Josie, and now she's able to go out independently, work, and even play in social softball games. "I'm doing things that I was not expecting to do, because I have her (Josie) on my side," said Stanislow. Josie is a huge gift Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs gave her for free. Brian DeLong is the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs regional coordinator. "Our dogs can take care of PTSD, TBIs, diabetes, seizures, mobility issues, and many other things they can be trained for," he said. So far, the non-profit's donated 450 dogs to veterans. "Anyone that's ever received one of our service dogs, there's zero suicides, so that phrase right there is what convinced me to go to work for Guardian Angels," said DeLong. To get a dog, veterans must apply, and the dogs they receive are trained, certified, and paired appropriately. It costs about $27,000 per dog, but donations make it possible. "We're actually very appreciative of all our community partners that help us take care of these people who took care of us," DeLong said. Those American heroes, with some hidden scars, are truly being saved by the service of some four-legged friends. "I can't even put it into words, how grateful, because it's just, it's been life changing," Stanislow said. Some of these service dogs are rescues, and others are bred. Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs plans to expand to another space in McDonald. When the new space opens, about 70% of the service dogs for this non-profit will be rescue dogs, in partnership with Animal Friends Pittsburgh. To donate, volunteer, or learn more about the non-profit, click here. If you are a veteran struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can reach the Suicide Crisis Lifeline. It's 9-8-8, and then press option number one.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cuomo's NY Parole Board delays cop killer's hearing until after Dem mayoral primary
The state's far-left Parole Board has quietly delayed a decision on releasing one of New York City's most notorious cop killers until after the June 24 primary — prompting critics to speculate the move was done to help former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's NYC mayoral bid. The 16-member board — 11 of whom were appointed or re-appointed by Cuomo — was scheduled last month to review whether David McClary, a gangbanger who ruthlessly assassinated Police Officer Edward Byrne in 1988, should be released. Byrne was a 22-year-old rookie, sitting in his patrol car in Queens, when he was shot five times in the head. Now, the board won't hear McClary's bid for freedom until July, sources told The Post. If the board ultimately releases McClary, 59, he'll be the 44th New York cop killer set free the past eight years, The Post exclusively reported last month. Republican mayoral candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa said he has 'no doubt' Cuomo pulled strings to delay the hearing to avoid the negative publicity of McClary's potential release heading into a Democratic mayoral primary the ex-governor is favored to win. 'This makes sense since he still controls a majority of the [parole] board,' he said. 'It behooves him to push this off as far as he can because it's his Achilles heel.' 'He does not want this to be brought up. Every time it is, it's like a dagger to his political heart because he's now trying to run as a law-and-order candidate.' Most New Yorkers are unaware how many cop killers Cuomo's handpicked board members have released, Sliwa said, adding 'many are stunned' to hear the number when he tells them while campaigning for his own mayoral run. Councilman Robert Holden, a Queens Democrat who typically sides with Republicans, said 'the fact that Cuomo's parole board is delaying a vote on a cop killer until after the June primaries reeks of political gamesmanship.' 'It's a disgraceful insult to the memory of our fallen heroes and a reminder that Andrew Cuomo always puts his ambitions ahead of public safety,' he said. The New York Parole Board did not return messages. Referring to Sliwa, Cuomo spokesman Jason Elan said 'we don't comment on conspiracy theories, even ones peddled by a bereted clown.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
RV fireball torches iconic NYC diner from ‘Goodfellas,' sparking calls for camper crackdown
A fireball from a parked RV sparked a fire that tore through an iconic Queens diner from the movie 'Goodfellas' – and now one mayoral candidate is calling for a camper crackdown. The fire erupted at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at GoodFellas Diner in Maspeth with 60 firefighters eventually arriving to put out the flames, according to the FDNY. The blaze came seven years after the same diner caught fire. Two civilians were evaluated on the scene and refused medical attention, the department said. Guardian Angels founder and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa had just wrapped a fundraiser at nearby Clinton Hall when the blaze erupted and posted a video talking in front of the swarm of firetrucks on X. 'We were talking about all the RVs and debris in the garbage and the problems that come with this epidemic of RVs on the streets of the outer boroughs, and that's when boom!,' Sliwa said. 'We all came running out of the Clinton Hall, and we saw the truck exploded on fire and watched as the fire spread to the Goodfellas diner.' The fire has reignited debate over illegal RVs in the outer boroughs neighborhoods like Maspeth, Red Hook, and Hunts Point, which have seen streets taken over by dilapidated campers, local outlets have reported. Sliwa blamed City Hall for the latest. 'There's no police response, no DOT response, nothing like this right here, you got campers parked on the lot of the Goodfellas Diner?! The Buildings Department should be out here asking what the hell is going on, but nothing,' he said. 'If you go and you talk to them, you find out some of them are migrants, some of them are drug sellers, some of them are drug users, some of them just have no place to stay, and it's happening all over the outer boroughs,' Sliwa warned of the RV inhabitants. 'People are getting arthritis calling 311, and nothing is happening. Truck driver and longtime Queens resident Savo Jernic, 54, parks his 18-wheeler across from the GoodFellas lot during his monthly long hauls and said the situation has deteriorated. 'Six months ago, it was empty. Clean. Now, too many [RVs] to count,' Jernic said, pointing to a heap of garbage blocking a sidewalk. 'One guy in a camper said for $20, he'd watch my truck. That's where we're at now.' Sliwa is now calling for a sweeping crackdown, more inspections, and stronger penalties for property owners allowing commercial vehicle storage in violation of zoning codes. 'The quality of life is just hitting the skids… It's as if the city is just saying who cares? I'll tell you who. The people who live here and the people who do business here, they care,' he said.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'The common good': The last Pope Leo was a champion of the working poor
Article content In 2013, when Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio became pope he chose the name Francis, a tribute to one of the most popular saints in the history of Christendom. Article content St. Francis of Assisi, who lived in the 13th century, was loved because of his deep devotion to the poor. Indeed, Pope Francis showed a great love for the most marginalized of this world, especially the millions of migrants who are the poorest of the world. Article content Article content So what does the name Pope Leo XIV possibly indicate for this new papacy? Article content Article content Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903, has not been declared a saint, but his influence on the Church and the world was immense. He, too, showed a great concern for working people everywhere who slaved away for a mere pittance and had little time for family or even to worship God. They were in many ways the dross of the Industrial Revolution, who, along with poor pay, were subject to the illnesses and diseases spewed out by factories. Article content If his new name is something to go by, we might expect our new Pope to also show great concern for those who labour under the dark cloud of exploitation. Article content On May 15, 1891, Leo promulgated the encyclical Rerum Novarum, which translates to 'Of New Things.' For Catholics, and any observer of the plight of labour, the encyclical was considered — and still is — a landmark document on worker rights. Article content Last month, Fr. Joe Connelly wrote a beautiful essay on the Catholic website Guardian Angels in praise of Rerum Novarum, a document that was not just relevant to conditions in the late 19th century but to many parts of the world today. Article content Article content 'During an era marked by the rise of capitalism and the exploitation of labor, Pope Leo XIII boldly defended the rights of workers and the sanctity of the family,' he wrote. Article content Article content 'Rerum Novarum emphasized the importance of just wages, decent working conditions, and the rights of laborers to organize for their mutual benefit. Rejecting the extremes of unchecked capitalism and socialism, the encyclical called for a balanced approach that respects both the rights of workers and the principles of private property.' Article content 'Rather than relying solely on the state, the encyclical emphasizes the responsibilities of families, local entities, and voluntary associations in caring for the vulnerable and promoting the common good. This principle remains as relevant today as it was in Pope Leo XIII's time, guiding Catholics in their efforts to foster solidarity and build thriving societies.'
