Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Posted by Jim on November 7, 2019

Pretending Trump Wants to Stop Corruption Is the GOP’s Most Insulting Lie Yet

Posted by Jim on

By Jonathan Chait

And now Republicans have arrived, at last, at their final defense. Sure, President Trump may have demanded Ukraine investigate his domestic rivals, and sure, there may have been some kind of conditional that-for-that trade that could be summarized in a Latin phrase. But it’s all okay because Trump was trying to root out corruption. He said so himself.
“The Volker/Sondland transcripts lay it out,” writes Representative Mark Meadows in the wake of transcripts proving beyond a doubt a quid pro quo, “@realDonaldTrump wanted to clean up corruption in Ukraine, and ensure taxpayer funded aid wasn’t going to corrupt causes.” Republican senator John Kennedy recently pleaded that Trump “honestly believes that there may have been corruption in Ukraine, and before he turns over $400 million of American taxpayer money, he’s entitled to ask.”
The Republican Party is on the precipice of endorsing Trump’s claim that he has an “absolute right” to push any country to investigate corruption. He just has to “honestly” believe, or at least claim to honestly believe, that the alleged corruption is real.
Even if Republicans believed in Trump’s sincerity, they would be handing the occupant of the White House powers inviting easy abuse. If a president can use the enormous weight of American diplomatic leverage to gin up probes against Americans who oppose him, and only his honesty limits his ability to use this power as a partisan cudgel, then we are at the mercy of the president’s good faith. Historically, that seems like a risky bet.
In reality, of course, there’s no reason whatsoever to believe that Trump has any sincere interest in rooting out corruption per se. In any context other than discrediting his political rivals, Trump’s stance on corruption ranges from total lack of concern to active encouragement. He has openly stated that he believes the attorney general can and should cover up actual crimes by a president. (He told the New York Times that Obama’s Justice Department facilitated actual crimes by Obama and was correct to do so: “Holder protected the president. And I have great respect for that, I’ll be honest, I have great respect for that.”) Trump boasted to his advisers that when Turkish president Recep Erdogan protested that a matter Trump was lobbying him over was being handled by the Turkish justice system, he replied, “Bullshit, a justice system. You own the justice system.” Trump has forged closer ties with Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other notorious kleptocracies without expressing any concern about corruption whatsoever.
In reality, of course, there’s no reason whatsoever to believe that Trump has any sincere interest in rooting out corruption per se. In any context other than discrediting his political rivals, Trump’s stance on corruption ranges from total lack of concern to active encouragement. He has openly stated that he believes the attorney general can and should cover up actual crimes by a president. (He told the New York Times that Obama’s Justice Department facilitated actual crimes by Obama and was correct to do so: “Holder protected the president. And I have great respect for that, I’ll be honest, I have great respect for that.”) Trump boasted to his advisers that when Turkish president Recep Erdogan protested that a matter Trump was lobbying him over was being handled by the Turkish justice system, he replied, “Bullshit, a justice system. You own the justice system.” Trump has forged closer ties with Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other notorious kleptocracies without expressing any concern about corruption whatsoever. Even Trump’s ask to investigate “corruption” in Ukraine was structured specifically around a demand for a public announcement of an investigation. Why does it have to be public, if Trump just wanted Ukraine to look into misconduct? Because, obviously, he wanted the “investigation” to generate news that would implicate the FBI and the Bidens. Also, if Trump was concerned about “corruption,” it seems like a weird choice to deputize as his investigators a couple of crooks tied in with the Russian mafia, who were also looking to make themselves some money while they “uncovered corruption.”
Indeed, Trump himself makes it perfectly clear that “corrupt” is simply a label he uses to describe his political opponents. He has called Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff “corrupt.” He has described the entire Democratic Party as corrupt (“Tomorrow you will vote to reject the Democrats’ extremism, socialism, and corruption,” he promised rallygoers before Tuesday’s elections). He has used the phrase for several members of the FBI, the mainstream media, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and on and on.
Republicans are a little squeamish about openly saying, “Trump can push foreign countries to investigate his rivals.” Instead they say, “Trump can push foreign countries to investigate corruption.” But these two statements mean the exact same thing. The notion that Trump’s activity had any relation to legitimately trying to root out corruption is the biggest insult to our intelligence so far.

Official Communication from the UFA

Posted by Jim on November 6, 2019

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Please note that the Thanksgiving holiday is Thursday, November 28, 2019, NOT November 21, 2019, as listed on the UFA Calendar. Please make sure your schedules are adjusted accordingly.

BRONX VETERANS DAY PARADE

The 35th Annual Bronx Veterans Day Parade will be held Sunday, November 10, 2019, kicking off at 12:00 PM at the intersection of E. Tremont & Lafayette Aves, and ending at Bicentennial Veterans’ Memorial Park, where a ceremony honoring veterans, the Grand Marshal and Honorary Grand Marshals will be held immediately after. Christopher Slutman will be honored as Honorary Grand Marshal. This year’s parade commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion.

VETERANS DAY PARADE

Permission is granted for off-duty members to participate in the 2019 Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11, 2019. Participating members of the Department should assemble on Fifth Avenue between 23rd and 24th Streets, Manhattan, at 1000 hours. Dress uniform shall be worn. For more information, contact FDNY Office of Community Affairs, 718-999-8112.

20 YEAR REUNION

A 20 year reunion for the 4th class of 1999 will be held on November 15, 2019, at 7:00 PM at Rathbones Restaurant, 1702 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128. For information, contact FF Kevin Whalen, L147 Group 5 at (516) 375-7976.

150TH ANNIVERSARY – ENGINE COMPANY 211

On Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 11:00 am, the officers and members of Engine Co. 211 will host a ceremony in quarters at 26 Hooper St., Brooklyn, NY to commemorate their 150th Anniversary. All active, retired members and their families are invited to attend. Parking will be limited so please utilize mass transit options if available.

TURKEY TROT

The 41st Annual Turkey Trot Run hosted by E-233/L-176 will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at 1130 hours in Broad Channel, NY. Assembly point is next to the American Legion, 209 Cross Bay Blvd. Pre-registration is $20, race day registration is $25. Make checks payable to: Ladder 176 Engine 233 Turkey Trot, 25 Rockaway Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11233. Proceeds benefit various FDNY charities. For sponsorships, donations or additional information, call 718-965-8233.

NEW YORK STATE HONORARY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS

The Department is now accepting applications for this year’s New York State Honorary Fire Chief’s Association Scholarships. All active FDNY Fire Officers, Firefighters and EMS personnel who are currently enrolled or will be enrolled in college or graduate level courses during the 2019-2020 academic year are eligible to apply. 15 Scholarships of $3,000 each will be awarded. Applications are available on the FDNY Intranet. If you have any questions, please contact Catherine McGuire at 718-999-0743 or Catherine.mcguire@fdny.nyc.gov.

Official Communication from the UFA

Posted by Jim on November 5, 2019

HOLY NAME SOCIETY ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS
The Holy Name Society, Manhattan Bronx and Staten Island, Annual Memorial Mass for the deceased members of the Holy Name Society, deceased members of the Department and the deceased members of the armed services who died to keep us free, will be held at 0930 hours on Sunday, November 10, 2019.   The Mass, in Honor of Father Julian Deeken, will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 135 West 31st Street, Manhattan, across the street from the Quarters of Engine 1 and Ladder 24. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform. All off duty members of the Department and their families are invited to attend the Mass as a mark of respect for our deceased members.

FDNY – MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION
On Thursday, November 7, 2019, from 1100 hours to 1600 hours, all off-duty members of the FDNY, their families and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of the 244th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. The celebration will take place at Fort Hamilton Army Base, Community Club, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY. A cover charge of $50 includes a buffet lunch and refreshments. Casual business attire, dress uniform, or Marine uniforms may be worn. Military ID, FDNY ID or Driver’s License is required to enter the Fort. For further information, call 631-291-3499 or 631-605-1444 or email rocknew280@hotmail.com or nycfireman236@aol.com.

FDNY FIRE MUSEUM FUNDRAISING COOK-OFF
The NYC Fire Museum annual fundraiser, the FDNY Cook-Off, will be held on Friday, November 8, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Fire Museum, 278 Spring Street, Manhattan. There will be 12 competing teams representing Fire companies and EMS stations being judged by celebrity judges, which this year includes award-winning chef, author and restaurateur Dale Talde; star of Firehouse Kitchen, Ray Cooney; and from Master Chef, Rachel Ray and the “Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge,” chef Eric Howard. Ticket price for general public is $100, for members of FDNY $50. Come out and support your Museum and cheer on the members competing for the title of “Best FDNY Chef.” For tickets go to www.NYCFireMuseum.org or call the Museum Shop at (212) 691-1303 x11.

HOOKS FOR HEROES
Hooks For Heroes is hosting their 4th Annual Veterans Day Fundraiser on Saturday, November 9, 2019, from 2:00 PM -6:00 PM at Jetty Bar & Grill, located at 832 W. Beech St, Long Beach, NY 11561. There will be a performance by the FDNY Pipes & Drums Band and they will be honoring a USMC Combat Veteran who is also an active member in the FDNY. The admission price is $50 and includes a complimentary gift upon entry, live music, full buffet and open bar. Raffles and merchandise will be available as well. Hooks for Heroes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit supporting American Veterans & First Responders through fishing as a positive outlet. Visit http://hooksforheroes.org/ to learn more.

VOTE!

Posted by Jim on