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Zeldin’s ‘Kick Out’ Rally

David Posnett — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 14:16:25 +0000

After all, Zeldin’s rally wasn’t a ‘Kick Off’ but in stead, a ‘Kick Out’ rally. Who better to comment as Karl Grossman, in the Riverhead Local:

https://riverheadlocal.com/2018/07/29/assault-on-the-press-hits-close-to-home/

Karl Grossman

Karl is a veteran investigative reporter and columnist, the winner of numerous awards for his work and a member of the L.I. Journalism Hall of Fame. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY/College at Old Westbury and the author of six books. Karl lives in Sag Harbor. Email Karl

He writes:

“It was an unprecedented incident in Suffolk County history — two journalists were kicked out of a political rally. It happened last month at a “kickoff” rally for Congressman Lee Zeldin whose district includes Riverhead and the other five East End towns, all of Brookhaven, a slice of Islip and most of Smithtown.

As Pat Biancaniello, editor of Smithtown Matters, one of the journalists kicked out of the rally, wrote in an editorial: “Last night I was ejected from the Lee Zeldin kick-off rally which I was invited to, without cause. Yes, I was invited to attend the rally by the Zeldin campaign and was credentialed by the Zeldin campaign. Upon arrival I was told to go anywhere I wanted to take photos, again by the Zeldin campaign. I stood in the same spot, with my credentials plainly in sight, for roughly an hour and a half before, out of the blue, I was told to leave without an explanation.”

Biancaniello continued: “I was forced to climb over a rope to get to the path leading to a door—(one woman sneered and said ‘bye bye’ as I walked past). Once out the door and in a backyard area, I was mocked by a group of people. A man upset that I was taking photos smacked my camera and I was told by security to leave the Elks Club premises. All the while I was wearing the press badge supplied by the Zeldin campaign and telling everyone I was an invited press person.”

As David Ambro, managing editor of The Smithtown News, wrote in an article: “Without provocation, without just cause, and without a word of explanation, the campaign staff of Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) threw me and a fellow journalist out of his campaign kickoff at the Elks Club on Edgewood Avenue in Smithtown Thursday, June 28. It was the first time in my 40-year career as a journalist that I have ever been thrown out of anything. I didn’t like it.”

“I saw a tweet that said we had been thrown out of a ‘white supremacist fest,’” Ambro went on, “a reference, I suppose, to one of the Zeldin-rally speakers, Sebastian Gorka, who Democrats charge is a ‘Nazi sympathizer.’ I’ve covered a white supremacist rally before — a cross-burning during a brief Suffolk uprising of the KKK in 1998 — and that’s not what this was. I will say, though, that being thrown out was arbitrary and capricious, overbearing and intimidating.”

Ambro declared: “It put us in a precarious situation, singled out in a crowd that was revved up to a fevered pitch by the rhetoric of the speakers and at a time when the president they idolize has declared the media to be ‘an enemy of the people.’ And, in the aftermath, the response by Rep. Zeldin and his campaign was in bad taste.”

The Press Club of Long Island issued a statement last week on what happened in which its board of directors stated: “When reached by the Press Club, Zeldin said in an email: ‘As Americans, we cherish our Constitution, freedoms and liberties, and that includes our sacred First Amendment protecting freedom of the press.’”

“The press,” said PCLI, a chapter (one of the biggest) of the national Society of Professional Journalists, “serves an important role to keep Americans informed of facts that allow us to form our own independent judgement on matters before our community, nation and world. The congressman, who was reportedly not present when the journalists were removed, said Biancaniello and Ambro were confused as protesters, and he invited them back to his events.”

PCLI continued: “While we appreciate Zeldin’s apology and strong statement on the press, we do not believe Biancaniello and Ambro should have been removed from the event in the first place. We see this most recent incident as part of a larger pattern of mistreatment of the press. The Trump administration set the stage in February 2017 when then White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer excluded The New York Times, CNN, Politico, The Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed from a press briefing. Around the same time, President Trump began calling the press the ‘enemy of the people.’ It was a phrase often used in the past by communist dictators to refer to dissidents, or political opponents. Trump has repeatedly employed the term to speak of hard-working journalists simply doing their jobs…As a nation, we must afford journalists the protections that we have from the time of our founding, thus allowing them to reveal important truths.”

I am proud that the Press Club of Long Island reacted quickly and strongly to what happened — and proud of the two Suffolk journalists who were put upon.

I founded PCLI in 1974. I was sitting at my desk at the daily Long Island Press reading a story about a reporter jailed for not divulging a source. My recollection is that this occurred in Maryland. I arranged for a gathering of Long Island journalists to form an organization to challenge this kind of thing. At the meeting I was elected president of the club.

Through the years PCLI has taken on various government officials on Long Island for not complying with the Freedom of Information Law and similar behavior — but journalists getting kicked out of a political rally here, this is new — and intolerable. The assault on the media that is underway today in the U.S., led by Donald Trump, is an attack on the U.S. democratic process. It is not acceptable in the U.S.— and on Long Island.”

Press Ejected at Zeldin Kickoff Event!

David Posnett — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 13:30:30 +0000

Editorial – Getting Ejected At Zeldin Kick-Off from Smithtown Matters

I am at a loss for words. Last night I was ejected from the Lee Zeldin kick-off rally, which I WAS INVITED TO, without cause. Yes, I was invited to attend the rally by the Zeldin Campaign and was credentialed by the Zeldin Campaign. Upon arrival I was told to go anywhere I wanted to take photos, again by the Zeldin campaign. I stood in the same spot, with my credentials plainly in sight, for roughly an hour and a half before, out of the blue, I was told to leave… without an explanation. I was forced to climb over a rope to get to the path leading to a door (one woman sneered and said “bye bye” as I walked past). Once out the door and in a back yard area, I was mocked by a group of people. A man upset that I was taking photos smacked my camera and I was told by security to leave the Elks Club premises. All while I was wearing the press badge supplied by the Zeldin campaign and telling everyone I was an invited press person.

I am confident that my behavior was professional. This was not a ‘question and answer’ press event. The press was there as observers. I took photos, and for approximately one and a half hours I listened to guest speakers talk about Lee Zeldin and their impression of his work ethic, his belief in America and his relationship with Donald Trump. This was a rally for supporters meant to energize, create positive thoughts and a “can do” attitude about this candidate.

Here’s what the speakers didn’t say, and you should now know about Lee Zeldin. He, through his staff, will discriminate, try to embarrass, and arbitrarily have the invited press removed without benefit of an explanation and without cause. Another thing the speakers didn’t mention about Lee Zeldin was that his love of country falls short of the 1st Amendment rights of free speech or free press. Was the Press being invited to cover his event and then being ejected, (David Ambro of The Smithtown News was also ejected), for the purpose of showing his disregard for the work journalists do? Was it intended as a preemptive strike against future work? This behavior was an attempt to taint the belief in journalist objectivity – after all, he can say that he had to have the Press ejected. Imagine a news article written about Lee Zeldin now… imagine how the story is perceived by someone who learns that the writer was thrown out of his kick-off rally. Will the writer be seen as a fair source of information?

These are challenging times. Elected officials are taking unique steps to quiet the voices of those who challenge or question them. For our democracy to flourish a strong press is necessary. I will continue to do all I can to maintain a high ethical standard and I call on you to push back on abuses like this.

Pat Biancaniello and this is Smithtown Matters

Friday, June 29, 2018 at 12:44PM

Response from Perry Gershon:

June 29 at 9:30 PM ·

Free press is a quintessential part of our democracy. That’s why I was shocked to hear the reports of a credentialed local journalist being kicked out of Zeldin‘s fundaiser in Smithtown last night. It appears Lee Zeldin is doing everything he can to emulate President Trump’s demonization of the press. Is this tactic now going to be a part of Zeldin’s playbook?

The voters of NY01 deserve a campaign that focuses on the issues that matter to Long Islanders – healthcare, the environment, gun safety and jobs. The role of the Press needs to be respected for this discussion to take place. Here is the link to the Editorial from Smithtown Matters: http://www.smithtownmatters.com/…/editorial-getting-ejected…d

And then there is this from the Southern Poverty Law Center:

Milo Yiannopoulos, the far-right provocateur, tells reporters he hopes angry conservatives start assassinating them, and the alt-right ’14/88ers’ love the idea.*

Apparently, Milo Yiannopoulos didn’t get the memo about the need for civility in our discourse.

“I can’t wait for the vigilante squads to start gunning journalists down on sight,” the far-right provocateur texted a reporter for the New York Observer this week. When the reporter inquired further, Yiannopoulos explained that he had simply issued his “standard response to a request for a comment.”

Lee Zeldin invites these guys as the honor guests to his fund raisers. Steve Bannon, Sebastian Gorka. Perhaps Milo Yiannopoulos will be next?

Does it feel like 1933? Yet?

*if you are wondering (like I was) what 88ers are, 88 stands for HH (or Heil Hitler), H being the 8th letter in the alphabet.

The Trump/Bannon plan

David Posnett — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 20:54:50 +0000

Two seminal pieces were just published in the NYT. (1) A factual description of today’s growing and aggressive ICE. (2) An annotated and explained version of Bannon’s CPAC presentation.

These stories should be an eye opener for everyone.

Trump’s transition is far from chaotic. In fact, Executive Orders have been issued that address each and every one of Bannon’s priorities:

1) National security and sovereignty: the wall, the travel ban, revised immigration rules, pipeline, deregulation to strengthen big business; disruption of all trade agreements; legalizing the Church’s involvement in politics; nomination of a young, brilliant candidate for SCOTUS, who believes strongly in the Church’s role at the centre of national identity and law.

2) Deconstruction of the state: appointment of heads of each department that have long argued that their new departments should be defanged and in some cases eliminated; leaving some 2000+ positions vacant to allow heads of departments (Secretaries) room to eliminate positions and shrink the Federal Government.

3) Reinforcement of the power of the White House: a co-opted Congress; relentless campaign to delegitimize and sideline the free press as the sole remaining opposition of note; dissemination of propaganda “alternative facts” to justify their most outlandish policy measures and decisions; appointment of generals to key positions (National Security Adviser, Head of Homeland Security, Head of ICE, Defense Secretary) thus increasing ties between the military and the White House; strengthening of the role and expansion of ICE, border patrols, internal memos alluding to the option of deploying the reserves to patrol the streets and enforce new laws against migrants and foreigners; laying the foundations for a massive expansion of largely outdated and unnecessary military hardware that nevertheless are symbols of strength against the marauding hordes that are waiting to swoop on this weak and hitherto fore, defenseless country.

We do indeed have the seeds of a fascist state already in place.

This makes a lot of the wooly discussion of the Democrats vaguely tangential. We need to keep the eye on the ball if one is to nip this in the bud. We now need to be highly focused and disciplined. We need to prioritize.

It certainly does not bode well for an independent Congress. And whether SCOTUS will remain an independent branch of government remains to be seen. However, if one puts the above argument to the Republicans, some will see the light.

One way that Congress can reclaim their independence, and their constitutional role, is to investigate the Russian connection to the Trump campaign. Where there is smoke, look for the fire. One needs to collect evidence regarding violations of the emoluments clause. One needs to examine those tax returns. These are tools for Congress to fight back and save their very existence. Hitler dissolved the Reichstag (equivalent to the Congress) only 3 months after coming into power claiming emergency powers.

Our congressman in New York’s CD-1 is Lee Zeldin, and he is a jew. He is young, but I am sure he has some grasp of history. Keep reminding him that he can stand up to fascism and if he does, he will go down in the history books as having saved America. These times demand brave men and women.

The #AmericanDream

David Posnett — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 18:41:29 +0000

(Pie and photo by Helen Atkinson-Barnes)

Author: Helen Atkinson-Barnes, published in this week’s Sag Harbor Express

Why are all these people protesting? I’ve been hearing this question since the day after the election, when college students across the country, including my daughter, first flooded in to the streets. I continue to hear this question asked – sometimes sincerely other times cynically – following more recent uprisings. Many seem bewildered or incensed, by the Women’s March, the spontaneous airport demonstrations against the immigrant ban, the uproar on social media and in the press about conflicts of interest, and the flood of visits, phone calls and letters to members of congress.

I’ve also heard those questioning the protests answer their own question by dismissing people speaking out as “senseless,” “unpatriotic,” or even as just a bunch of “whiny,
spoiled brats.” I would reply by saying that these protests are as American as apple pie.

We who speak out are doing so in an effort to protect the principles that make this country great. In accordance with these ideals, the protests so far have been overwhelmingly positive and peaceful. To borrow from Martin Luther King Jr: We have a dream.

We have a dream of a respectful nation: that no matter who you are–no matter your color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, income, religion, age, disability, or country-of-origin–we are all members of the human race. We all have the right to be treated fairly and to be measured by our deeds and not by our identities.

We have a dream of an informed and thoughtful nation: with public education for all and a free and honest press celebrating truth and the open exchange of ideas.

We have a dream of a healthy nation: where all people are protected from disease and unsafe conditions and are able to get care when they are sick.

We have a dream of a pristine nation: with unspoiled public parks for all to visit, clean water for all to drink, pure air for all breathe, and a safe climate for all to inhabit.

We have a dream of a connected and accessible nation: with well-repaired public roads and bridges; walkways, waterways, and parks; public transportation and telecommunications.

We have a dream of a safe nation: a place where people can live free from the fear of international terrorism and of domestic violence, of street violence and of systemic
violence.

We have a dream of an open nation: not a country that is shut off behind walls, punitive tariffs, and immigration bans, but instead interconnected with the world to boost prosperity and peace through trade and travel.

Haven’t we all been taking this dream for granted? These values are under attack by those in our government who would trample on the truth with “alternative facts,” stir up fear and resentment or use power for personal advantage.

Civilization depends upon civic engagement, which must not end at the ballot box. I hear too many people say, “Suck it up, it’s out of your hands now,” or “It’s just too painful to pay attention.” I get it. But it also can be empowering to take action. And while we need to pace ourselves, and pick our battles, at the very least we should try.

Like apple pie, protest is sweetly and deeply American. Whether individual or collective, a conversation or a rally, written or spoken, somber or satiric, painted, sung or knit–peaceful protest is not just a right in the United States, but a responsibility that is essential to the preservation and defense of democracy and our shared American Dream.

Signing up for ACA (Obamacare) before March 31st!

David Posnett — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:41:12 +0000

If you are in the East Hampton, NY, area, you can walk in to the East Hampton Health Care Foundation at 200 Pantigo Place this Friday March 21st. Professional insurance enrollers will help you sign up on line. They do this every day and they are experts. They are fluent in Spanish and English. For more info see my prior posts. There is also a post on your costs for ACA medical insurance.

Confused by Obamacare ? For Suffolk County Residents, read on…

David Posnett — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 20:46:54 +0000

Confused? Not sure how it may benefit you? Not sure how much it will cost? If you are anywhere near Southampton, Riverhead or Hampton Bays, here are 3 seminars coming up: Layman’s terms. Resource guide to local enrollers.

Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Rogers Memorial Library, Morris Meeting Room, 91 Coopers Farm Rd, Southampton, NY 11968. (631) 283 0774, ext 523

Thu Mar 6, 2014 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court Street, Riverhead, NY 11902; call (631) 727 3228 or email contact@riverheadlibrary.com

Tues Mar 25, 2014 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Hampton Bays Public Library, 52 Ponquogue Ave., Hampton Bays, NY 11946, call (631) 728 6241 or email hbaylib2suffolk.lib.ny.us

The Costs of Obamacare Insurance to YOU.

David Posnett — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 20:30:43 +0000

I have been hearing horror stories about prohibitively expensive Obamacare insurance quotes. So together with my friend Sheila, we logged on to the NY State Official Health Plan Marketplace and pretended to be shopping for insurance right here in Suffolk County.

Note (and this is important) the cost varies depending on where you reside. The different insurance carriers have different quotes of course. And most importantly the cost varies according to your taxable income. Your premium should be reduced (advanced Tax Credit) if your taxable income is below $45,960 for a single individual, or below $94,200 for a family of four.

Here are several scenarios (all of them for a gold plan, annual deductible $600 per person, or $1200 per family) and applicable to Suffolk County residents. The quoted premiums are for the family and represent the cheapest quote. Make sure that your doctor accepts the insurance plan you choose!

Taxable Household income $75,000
2 adults no dependent children: Monthly premium for the family $877 + (depending on Plan). NO CREDITS

Taxable Household income $75,000
2 adults and 2 dependent children: Monthly premium for the family $740 + (depending on Plan). Advanced Tax Credit $137

Taxable Household income $50,000
2 adults and 2 dependent children: Monthly premium for the family $427+ (depending on Plan). Advanced Tax Credit $450

Taxable Household income $25,000
1 adult and no dependent children: Monthly premium $217 + (depending on Plan) – Advanced Tax Credit $221

Taxable Household income $14,000
1 adult and no dependent children: Monthly premium $0 – medicaid

This does not sound too bad at all.

Need help to sign up for Obamacare?

David Posnett — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 15:01:35 +0000

If you are anywhere near East Hampton on the Southfork this is a great place:

East Hampton Health Care Center

for appointments with an “enroller” on Mon and Fri call

Julia Fuentes 631 294 2921
Nancy Moraga Martinez 631 291 5077

for appointments with an “enroller” on Tues and Thu call

Vicki Duran 516 315 1021

All enrollers are fluent in English and Spanish. You can sign up your family within less than 1 hour. It is person to person and you don’t need to have computer skills.

How to sign up for ACA Healthcare Insurance WITHOUT problems on the Southfork

David Posnett — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 18:59:07 +0000

Millions of Americans and documented residents
now have the chance to get quality care that they
can afford.
1. If you need help, financial assistance is available.
2. You can’t be denied coverage, regardless of your health
3. You choose the plan that’s right for you.
4. Sign up through March 2014

This is for those that are frustrated and found it difficult to get good health insurance at a good rate.

I went to visit Sheila Rogers (the head of East Hampton Health Care Foundation).
Forget using state paid navigators in Suffolk county she says. There are only about 3 of them. They show up very infrequently (e.g. once a month for 3 hours at Southampton Hosp. for example).

There are 8 companies that are NYS approved to sell insurance through the ACA individual market place in Suffolk county. But only 3 are providers of Medicaid Managed Care.

Affinity Health Plan (provider of Medicaid Managed Care)
Fidelis Care (provider of Medicaid Managed Care) – no local doctors accept this companies plans! Closest doctors in Riverhead! FAVORITE CHOICE BECAUSE CHEAPEST
United (provider of Medicaid Managed Care) – very expensive if you are not eligible for Medicaid Managed Care!
Emblem Health
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
Health Republic (Freelancers) – no local doctors accept this companies plans!
North Shore LIJ – doctors are mostly up island
Oscar

Small Business Marketplace:

Health Republic
North Shore LIJ
United

Probably better to use an insurance broker if you are a business.

Here is the exciting part: Sheila has “enrollers” that come to her clinic 4 days a week for 3 hours. They see and sign up about 10-12 families at each session. People have to make an appointment and the wait is usually about 1 week. These enrollers are fluent in Spanish. They do NOT try to overtly sell/push their own company… (most of them come from Affinity and United).

You can call for an appointment:

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A
FACILITATED ENROLLER
AT THE EAST HAMPTON
HEALTHCARE CENTER

MON & FRI:
UNITEDHEALTHCARE
JULIA FUENTES: 631-294-2921

TUES & THURS
AFFINITY HEALTHPLAN
VICKY DURAN: 516-315-1021

Insurance Brokers can also sell plans, including plans from other companies like Aetna, these plans are supposed to be in line with the ACA market place.

Sheila organizes a monthly Health Care Fair at our local Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Buell Lane, where families get free screening (BP, Diabetes, Cholesterol, etc) and free advice on how to sign up for the ACA. The next such event is Friday, Feb 7th (11AM to 1:30 PM).

What is in it for YOU if you are still uninsured?

David Posnett — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:29:38 +0000

Apparently the latest research has shown that close to 40% of the uninsured still don’t know that they can now get health insurance for themselves and their families.

It is really simple:

All plans must cover the basics: doctors bills, hospitals, medications, preventive care…
You might qualify for financial help
They can not deny coverage for preexisting conditions
They must show what is covered (no fine print) so you can comparison shop between different plans

Visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855 355 5777 (toll free) or get help from a free navigator.