We Are All … Patriots Fans

Amid the political chitchat and serious policy questions posed by New Hampshire voters Sunday evening former New York governor and current Jets fan George Pataki addressed a deeply emotional issue: how does he feel about the local team?  With the NFL playoffs on screen behind him Pataki embraced the local favorite, all while tossing a few digs at a putative rival.

More from Pataki’s New Hampshire visit is here.

President Pataki?

Acting and speaking like a presidential candidate, former New York governor George Pataki made a campaign appearance in New Hampshire Sunday evening.  Pataki is not yet formally a candidate, but his intention to run was clear as he began a two day trip to New Hampshire with a “meet and greet” at a well-known political venue, the 401 Tavern in Hampton.  He was warmly greeted by the 25-30 attendees, although the attendees I spoke with shared the view that it’s too early to commit to any candidate.

Although he was three times elected governor of New York, once in an upset over the formidable Mario Cuomo and twice in decisive reelection bids, Pataki faces long odds and is generally regarded in New York political circles as having no chance whatsoever.  Out of office for eight years, he has modest name recognition, little campaign funding in the bank and a Republican primary electorate that’s significantly to his right on social issues.  He professes not to be worried, however, with his surprising 1994 gubernatorial victory over Mario Cuomo as inspiration.

He’s flirted with running for president multiple times, but never actually gone through with it.  At 69, this is his last realistic opportunity to run.  Even now, while he appears vigorous and healthy, his age may be an issue.  Although the country has grown more embracing of older professionals in many ways, we’ve shifted to a paradigm of younger presidents.  Bill Clinton and Barack Obama took office in their 40’s, and George W. Bush, who is one month older than Clinton, took office at 54.  At 70 71 on inauguration day, Pataki would be the oldest person to become president.

I spoke with Pataki briefly as the meet and greet concluded.  I began by asking whether he is, or intends to be, a candidate for president.  Pataki said he’s “likely to become a candidate” and that he’s “inclined to do this.”

Update:  Pataki also addressed a deeply emotional issue – how does the Jets fan feel about the New England Patriots?

de Blasio Press Q&A: The School Cellphone Edition

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina today announced the reversal of the City’s prohibition on students having cellphones in public schools.  Rules of usage will be established on a school by school basis, but all schools will allow them.

On Topic Q&A:

Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Farina addressed numerous detailed questions on the new policy and its implementation.

Off Topic Q&A:

Off topic question topics included whether the mayor and his wife have smoked marijuana inside Gracie Mansion, a Daily News call for the mayor to “accept responsibility for inflaming the police”, whether the mayor believes he should apologize for comments on the police, whether the Democratic National Committee has expressed concerns about current mayoral/police friction as it considers Brooklyn as a site for the 2016 Democratic Convention, whether the mayor supports the recent Cuomo/Christie veto of legislation on the Port Authority, a pending state legislative bill on police disability pensions, the expected  special election in the 11th Congressional District, whether the mayor believes there is a police slowdown, the dismay of the recently shot and wounded police officers at Mayor de Blasio’s hospital visit, the possible change in the Staten Island Chuck/Groundhog Day ceremony, the meeting today between Police Commissioner Bratton and union leaders and how Mayor de Blasio envisions the current mayoral/police friction ending.

Separate clips of the questions on mayoral mansion marijuana and Staten Island Chuck are here.

Pot & Groundhogs

Do you and your wife smoke pot in Gracie Mansion?  Will you miss having the chance to kill Staten Island Chuck again?  Those were two unusual questions posed to Mayor de Blasio during a press conference this afternoon.  The press conference was held to announce a reversal of the current City policy prohibiting student possession of cell phones in public schools, with the Q&A also focusing on the continuing NYPD/PBA-de Blasio friction.  These other moments addressed some less weighty questions:

Marijuana:

A reporter asked an unusual question of the mayor:

Staten Island Chuck:

During last year’s Staten Island Zoo Groundhog Day ceremony Staten Island Chuck escaped the mayor’s clutches and leapt to the ground.  Chuck (actually a female substitute named Charlotte) died a week or so later, reportedly from internal injuries suffered in that leap.  The zoo is now considering changing the Groundhog Day event to eliminate any mayoral handling of the subject groundhog.  Here’s the mayor’s reaction:

de Blasio Press Q&A: The Crime Stats & Friction Edition

Mayor Bill de Blasio joined Police Commissioner Bill Bratton and several senior NYPD officials at One Police Plaza today for a press conference touting remarkable crime statistics for 2014 and discussing the mayor’s troubled relationship with many in the NYPD.  The mayor and commissioner began by proudly discussed the NYPD’s accomplishments in pushing crime numbers lower than the record-setting 2013.

The Q&A was quite lengthy, running almost 40 minutes.  The Q&A included detailed discussion of the 2014 crime stats and a discussion of two specific cases: a Manhattan man allegedly shot by his adult son while in his Beekman Place apartment and the Manhattan DA’s decision to not charge Sandford Rubenstein in connection with an alleged rape.  The mayor and police commissioner also addressed the mayor’s friction-filled relationship with the PBA and rank-and-file police officers and the recent episodes in which police officers turned their back on Mayor de Blasio at the funerals of murdered NYPD detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.

An excerpt featuring Mayor de Blasio’s and Commissioner Bratton’s statements on police officers turning their back to the mayor is here.

de Blasio & Bratton on Police Back Turning

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton today addressed the widely reported actions of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of police officers who turned their backs when Mayor de Blasio spoke at the funerals of Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.  Speaking during a press conference at One Police Plaza de Blasio termed their actions “disrespectful to the families” of Ramos and Liu and “disrespectful to the people of this City.”  Bratton’s reaction was harsher, condemning “a labor action being taken in the middle of a funeral” by officers who “embarrassed themselves.”  He also condemned “the selfishness of that action” which “took so much attention” away from the slain detectives.

Ramos Funeral Photos (Updated)

IMG_0264Detective Rafael Ramos, murdered alongside Detective Wenjian Liu, was buried Saturday amid a sad yet powerful show of support and remembrance.  His funeral at Christ Tabernacle Church in Glendale was attended by an estimated at 25,000 people, predominantly uniformed police officers from New York City and around the country, and many elected officials.  Vice President Joe Biden, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio were among those elected officials, with each speaking during the service.

The funeral concluded with a quiet and somber moment as Detective Ramos’s casket was carried out to a waiting hearse.  Taps echoed off the front of the church as an NYPD honor guard saluted amid a sea of officers.  Thousands remained silently at attention as the honor guard folded the flag covering Detective Ramos’ casket and presented it to his widow and two sons.  The silence was broken only by the roar of engines as police helicopters flew overhead in a missing-man formation and scores of motorcycle cops moved past the family into position at the head of a lengthy funeral procession, leading Detective Ramos to his final resting place.

Here are pictures from Glendale.

Continue reading Ramos Funeral Photos (Updated)

Moment of Silence

As he seeks to regain his political footing Mayor Bill de Blasio led a moment of silence today for slain Police Officers Rafael Ramos and Winjian Liu.  de Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray joined dozens of administration staffers in the “bullpen”, a large open work space in City Hall, with de Blasio speaking ahead of the moment of silence.  Talking of “pain” and “mourning”, de Blasio offered “support and solidarity” to the slain officers families as well as urging a broader theme of community-police “healing.”  He also lauded the police department and its members for their work and sacrifices.

Mark-Viverito Press Conf On The NYPD (Updated)

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito held a press conference this morning to condemn the recent killing of two NYPD officers and offer support to the victims’ families and the Department.  Mark-Viverito, who has had her share of political tensions with the police force, spoke in somber tones accompanied by about 25 of her fellow council members.  She began by characterizing the deaths of Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos as “a cold-blooded assassination.”

When asked about Mayor de Blasio’s comments yesterday blaming the media for fostering divisiveness, Speaker Mark-Viverito response that “I don’t share in that thought”, appears to leave the mayor increasingly isolated.

Here is the english portion of her full opening statement.  (She also made a statement in spanish.)

Update – Q&A:

Mark-Viverito answered several questions, including her reaction to some protest groups rejecting the call for a moratorium on protests, whether she shares the sentiment expressed by Mayor de Blasio that media coverage of protests has fostered divisiveness, whether the council will table any pending NYPD-related bills, whether she’ll attend the Ramos and Liu funerals, her reaction to PBA President Pat Lynch’s comment that responsibility for the bloodshed begins “on steps of City Hall”, how long a protest moratorium should last and whether her “show of support … will be received as … political expediency.”

Grimm Future

In late November I asked recently re-elected and indicted Rep. Michael Grimm how, in light of the House Republican leadership distancing themselves from Grimm amid his legal problems, he expected to be able to accomplish anything in the coming term. According to multiple news reports, Grimm is expected to plead guilty today to a single felony charge of tax evasion.

So Close, So Far

A few feet and widely differing world views separated pro- and anti-NYPD demonstrators Friday evening.  Gathering just down from City Hall on Broadway, about 50-75 NYPD supporters drew substantial media attention and about 100 counter-demonstrators.  The evening consisted mostly of the two groups shouting at each other as on-duty NYPD officers calmly kept the peace.

As has been true of most of the recent demonstrations, elected officials were not involved.  The only elected official I spotted was Assembly Member Jose Rivera, who circulated among the crowd watching and, as always, recording video.  At least two mayoral aides were also there observing.

The pro-NYPD group was at first outnumbered.  Many of the counter-demonstrators joined a march that passed by, however, and the group standing on Broadway shrank.  The emotions did not diminish.

Here’s a look at the evening:

de Blasio Press Q&A: The Rikers Island Edition

Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press conference this afternoon on Rikers Island, the City’s main jail complex, announcing the recent end of punitive segregation for 16 and 17 year old inmates.  The City has created two new housing units as alternatives to punitive segregation; a “Transitional Repair Unit” and “Second Chance Housing.”  Joined by Department of Correction (“DOC”) Commissioner Joseph Ponte and other DOC officials, de Blasio briefly visited a group of adolescent inmates in Second Chance Housing before the press conference.

On Topic Q&A:

Questions during the on topic portion of the Q&A included the mayor’s conversations with inmates he spoke with during his visit, his prior visit to Rikers Island, how DOC will deal with problematic inmates without the use of punitive segregation, the U.S. Attorney’s view of these changes, criteria for inmates entering the newly created units, where the idea for these changes came from, DOC staff reaction to these changes, whether changes are planned for dealing with adult inmates with mental illness, the condition of the physical plant of Rikers, how attacks with “human waste cocktails” are recorded and whether DOC is concerned that installing cameras will somehow increase such attacks, whether any form of isolation will continue to be used with 16 and 17 year old inmates, out-of-cell programs for inmates in the new housing units, the recommendation of DOI against Commissioner Ponte’s choice for chief of department, the overall increase in jail stabbings and slashings this year, the effect of these programs on 18 year old inmates and how long the “journaling” program has been in place.

Off Topic Q&A:

Questions during the off topic portion of the Q&A included Governor Cuomo’s announcement today that New York State will not permit fracking, Mayor de Blasio’s scheduled meeting with the NY Justice League, whether Mayor de Blasio thinks he is able to unite the City and how New Yorkers have received him, President Obama’s announcement of moving to normalize relations with Cuba and Mayor de Blasio’s own trip to Cuba.

de Blasio & The Justice League

Mayor Bill de Blasio today urged the Justice League NYC to “denounce violence”, but did not condition his scheduled meeting with them on any specific denunciation.  Speaking at an unrelated press conference, de Blasio broadly condemned protestor violence and urged anyone aware of such violence to cooperate with the police.  His scheduled Friday meeting with the Justice League NYC has drawn criticism from PBA President Pat Lynch, who has demanded that the group “publicly denounce the individuals who assaulted police officers or who have attempted to incite violence during these protests.”

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