Neil A. Carousso produces NewsNation original “Kurt’s Country” – a celebration of country music and a slice of Americana with host Kurt Bardella.
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NYC Comptroller Stringer and Candidate Rev. Faulkner Vie for CFO Job
By Neil A. Carousso
In two separate sit-down interviews, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) and his Republican challenger Rev. Michel Faulkner discussed their ideas for improving the City’s transit delays, how to work with the Trump Administration and prevent the loss of federal funding for the New York Police Department, among other issues.
New Yorkers vote for City comptroller on the ballot on Tuesday. The polls in the Big Apple close at 9 PM local time.
Featured Image: Comptroller Scott M. Stringer and Rev. Michel Faulkner debate on Spectrum News NY1 in October.
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“Bank on Bo:” Bo Dietl Opens Up about NYC Mayoral Race, His Friendship with President Trump and More in Rare Substantive Video Interview
By Neil A. Carousso
Bo Dietl is the independent candidate running for Mayor of the City of New York. He is a life-long New Yorker who literally shed his blood, sweat and tears in the Big Apple as a New York Police Department officer and detective. He is a self-made entrepreneur and millionaire who never went to college because he had to work to support his family. He was an iron worker on the World Trade Center, and now, a private investigator hired by high-profile celebrities and executives.
Dietl is challenging Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R). He is a registered Democrat who supported his friend, President Donald Trump and donated $50,000 to his campaign, but is disappointed that Mr. Trump has been stalled in accomplishing his “America First” agenda.
“I hope they say to themselves wow this guy is somebody I want to lead this City. This guy will help my kids. This guy will help me get affordable housing,” said Dietl of why New York residents should vote for him.
Dietl tells it the way he sees it with 15-years of law enforcement experience with the country’s largest police force, but oftentimes his “heart,” his “compassion” and his love of New York City and his genuine passion to improve its security, education and the homeless problem is lost in the campaign fighting.
“You got to remember my last case was the Palm Sunday Massacre. Ten Puerto Ricans, eight of them were children under the age of 12 years old, all shot in the head. [I have] vivid memories of those kids being shot in the head and I cried,” Dietl said with passion, adding, “That’s what I want to prevent and I want to help the people of New York. That’s who’s running for mayor: A caring guy against some egotistical, thieving, corrupt pay-for-play guy who wants to get re-elected. That’s your choice.”
Dietl calls Mayor de Blasio a “nincompoop” throughout this interview and rejects the polls, including the latest NY1/Baruch College poll, which puts de Blasio at 49 percent, Malliotakis at 16 percent and Dietl at 3 percent. He says the only poll that matters is the results of Tuesday’s election.
Watch this reporter’s full 44 minute interview with Mr. Dietl, which is substantive on the key issues pertinent to the New York City election and provides an in-depth profile of the “Bo Man.”
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NYC Votes: Terrorism and Transportation among Important Issues for Voters, Candidates
By Neil A. Carousso
On Tuesday, New Yorkers will vote for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough presidents and city council members a week after the deadliest terrorist attack in the Big Apple since 9/11.
“Tell those eight people who were killed, mowed down and those other 15 people seriously hurt that we cannot surveil people, we can’t monitor people that are suspected of being involved in terrorism,” said Independent Mayoral Candidate Bo Dietl. “This political correctness sucks and we have to stop it. Again, to me, the safety of New Yorkers and Americans are at stake here.”
Dietl is a retired New York Police Department detective, a private investigator and entrepreneur. He’s running against Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), who is up for re-election, and New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R).
“I hope they say to themselves wow this guy is somebody I want to lead this city. This guy will help my kids. This guy will help me get affordable housing,” said Dietl of why New York residents should vote for him.
“You got to remember my last case was the Palm Sunday Massacre. Ten Puerto Ricans, eight of them were children under the age of 12 years old, all shot in the head. [I have] vivid memories of those kids being shot in the head and I cried,” Dietl said with passion, adding, “That’s what I want to prevent and I want to help the people of New York. That’s who’s running for mayor: A caring guy against some egotistical, thieving, corrupt pay-for-play guy who wants to get re-elected. That’s your choice.”
Dietl blames Mayor de Blasio for the rising homeless rate, which is up 39 percent since last year, and division in the community and within his former police department.
“You know there’s a reason why cops turn their back on him during the funerals,” said Dietl of the NYPD demonstrations in the wake of politicized police-involved shootings. “They don’t respect them. Nine out of 10 cops said they would find another job tomorrow because of him that they feel as though they don’t have the support of this Mayor and he takes credit for the great work.”
While rape crimes climbed 16.7 percent in October, the NYPD reported a significant 18 percent reduction in murders that the de Blasio Administration touts with an overall decline in crime over the past 4 years, according to data released by the Police Department. There are 225 homicides year-to-date, including last week’s terror attack victims. That’s on pace to be the lowest murder rate since the 1950s. By comparison, there were 2,262 murders in 1990.
Aside from security, commuters are struggling with widespread MTA delays. A recent NYC Independent Budget Office report reveals a 237.25 percent increase in monthly delays and a massive economic impact – costing riders $1.23 million in “lost work.”
“I believe that we should support the Governor’s $850 million emergency plan to fix the signals and the tracks and I think the City should contribute some money towards that with a guarantee that any City money goes directly towards specific projects,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer of New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s plan to modernize the subway system.
Mr. Stringer is up for re-election on Tuesday. Rev. Michel Faulkner is Mr. Stringer’s Republican opponent.
Faulkner is a retired NFL defensive lineman who played for the New York Jets in 1981 and a member of former-Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s task force on Police Community Relations.
“We pay more federal taxes than anybody else,” emphasized Rev. Faulkner. “Most of our $56 billion more goes out than goes back in terms of federal goods and services. Why can’t we balance some of that for our MTA, for health and hospital services, for our homeless problems? We’ve got to solve these problems and simple raising taxes is not going to solve that problem.”
For information about where to vote and the candidates and proposals on Tuesday’s ballot, visit the New York City Board of Elections website.
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Support Our Troops: Honoring American Heroes on 9/11 Anniversary
By Neil A. Carousso
On the 16th anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, Adopt-A-Battalion, Inc. held its annual memorial barbecue to honor the heroes in the U.S. military who perished in the global war on terror and the brave men and women who continue to fight for freedom.
The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93, perpetrated by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda, killed 2,996 innocent people and injured over 6,000 people while leaving first responders and others with illnesses resulting from the carnage at Ground Zero. Our country will never forget.
Present at Adopt-A-Battalion’s 9/11 memorial barbecue were veterans from the Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Korean wars, veterans from all different services and missions, and families of our troops who are currently stationed overseas plus first responders from the New York City Policy Department and the Fire Department of New York.
Adopt-A-Battalion volunteers gather weekly to prepare care packages with necessities to U.S. military members in Afghanistan and Kuwait.
The Sgt. Peter F. Colleran Jr. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7763 in Massapequa Park, NY accepted a flag on behalf of the fallen soldiers from Massapequa who died fighting in the war on terror that the United States was thrust into after 9/11.
“Unfortunately, our troops have to go in where [U.S. enemies] are or they’ll come where we are,” said VFW Post 7763 Commander William E. Colfer. “I’m very proud of the men and women who served and I am more than proud to do anything I can to help.”
“For anything that respects our people, any of the veterans, especially from 9/11, responders who are equally as courageous, we will do whatever it takes to honor them,” First Sgt. Rick Zarembski said.
Zarembski fought in Vietnam and now associates with the 11th New York Regiment Volunteers. The volunteers organize proper military funerals and burials for any soldier’s family in the area at no cost to the Gold Star Family.
As we are reminded of the day that changed the country and the world forever, we stand in solidarity with the heroes – past and present – abroad and at home – who fight for freedom – some who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Adopt-A-Battalion President and Vietnam Veteran Richard Olson gave an emotional address to volunteers and military families about how the country is more united than portrayed, echoing the nation’s responsibility to respect and take care of those who protect our citizens, our freedom, our sovereignty and our way of life.
While getting choked up, Olson said, “This is America. It is our country. And, we do love them.”
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Support Our Troops: On 16th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks, Adopt-A-Battalion Honors Our Heroes
By Neil A. Carousso
We will Never Forget that Tuesday morning that changed our country and the world around us. We were thrust into a war on terrorism and sixteen years later, the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces continue to fight for our freedom and American values.
A haunting photo as the second World Trade Center tower explodes into flames after being hit by an airplane, New York September 11, 2001, with the Brooklyn Bridge in the foreground. (REUTERS/Sara K. Schwittek) On this year’s eve of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Adopt-A-Battalion will host a memorial barbecue in memory of those who perished and to support our troops who are still fighting the global war on terrorism.
I first came in contact with Adopt-A-Battalion when I met one of their volunteers, Janine, in early March at the Farmingdale, NY Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) at a charity event honoring U.S. veterans from all military branches and various services. Janine told me about the inspiring commitment Adopt-A-Battalion has made to current United States military members who continue to fight on our behalf.
Adopt-A-Battalion volunteers work hard to mail necessities to U.S. military members serving in Afghanistan. (April 22, 2017) Every Saturday morning, Adopt-A-Battalion volunteers gather on Long Island to prepare care packages for our troops. I witnessed this beautiful display of American spirit, patriotism, grit, harmony and love of country first-hand in April when we reported on the organization, which was founded in 2004 after now-Col. Timothy Parker wrote home to his parents for basic necessities such as clean underwear when he was serving his first tour in Iraq.
Parker’s cohorts asked for similar packages and the Parker family began shipping goods to individual U.S. soldiers who share with their battalions.
Adopt-A-Battalion has shipped over 40 tons of goods, directly to service men and women over 13 years. Last year, it sent 1,972 boxes to troops stationed overseas. Their goal remains to surpass 2,000 boxes in 2017.
If you are in the Long Island, NY area, I highly recommend you set time aside, as a patriot, to attend the memorial barbecue that will take place Sunday, September 10 from 12 Noon to 6 PM at Brady Park in Massapequa Park. It is $20 per adult and $10 per child to attend, which includes a hamburger or cheeseburger, a hot dog with a salad, bag of chips and a soft drink or water plus dessert. More than your meal, the proceeds will be used to purchase more basic necessities for our troops currently serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.
If you are interested in attending the 9/11 memorial barbecue or volunteering your time on a Saturday morning, reach out to Brian Parker, Con. Parker’s brother, at (516) 342-5557. You may also contact Vietnam Veteran and President of Adopt-A-Battalion Richard Olson via email at adptbattalion.org.
All the information for the event is on the event flier and on their official website.
As seen on “The Neil A. Carousso Show” on April 23, 2017: A team of volunteers gather weekly in Massapequa Park, NY to arrange care packages for U.S. military members serving overseas. Watch by clicking the play button on the embedded YouTube player above.
We must Never Forget or abandon the men and women who fight to keep the United States of America the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” God Bless America!
