Power & Politics: America 250 - Celebrating CT's History; Summer tourism

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Welcome back to New Jersey Power and Politics. This weekend, we celebrate the birth of a nation. Events going on around our area, patriotic pride will be in full display. Among those celebrating Freedom 250 is a patriot and Grammy nominated platinum selling artist known for his music. And for his support for our nation's heroes. And this weekend, get this, he's performing on board the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier right in New York Harbor. It's pretty amazing. I'd like to welcome Five for Fighting John Andrassic. John, it's great to speak with you again. Eric, always a pleasure. John, listen, what does it mean to you to be able to celebrate America's 250th by, by playing on the Nimitz? You know, it's an honor of a lifetime. I gotta say, um, you know, to be on such a historic vessel surrounded by sailors, we're also gonna be bringing, uh, 9/11 heroes, you know, uh, NY Fire, Fire Department, NYPD, wounded warriors, Gold Star families, and, you know, to be able to salute them on our 250th birthday on, um, on one of the Navy's pride vessels. Uh, it is just something that, uh, As I said, it's hard to put into words, and as you mentioned, you'll be surrounded by some 9/11 heroes as well. It's fitting, of course, as we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the song you'll be playing, Superman, became an anthem of sorts after the attack on America. Yes, I can't believe we're coming up on the 25th anniversary and, and we'll certainly be in town doing some events around 9/11 as well to, to recognize those heroes. You know, we, we talk about, you know, never forgetting, and I think that's important. Uh, I think, frankly, uh, in, in some sectors, we have forgotten the lessons of 9/11. So, the fact that it's kind of rolling around, I think we can kind of reflect on that day and, and also how the country came together in ways that we haven't seen since. It's, you know, the, the way America came together after 9/11. So I think there's a lot of lessons that we should reflect on, and that will be another, I think, very poignant day for me coming back to New York in your neck of the woods to again recognize those heroes. To your point, America Freedom 250 is coming at a time where the country really in some ways does seem to be tearing itself apart on a daily basis, and we've got this political divide, this chasm. Common sense and decency seem a rare commodity. What's your message to America and to the heroes who fight for it today? Well, first of all, our troops are the heart and spine of our nation, and uh all good things come from them and their families. But, um, you know, I heard a really cool quote the other day from a, a German World Cup fan. And he said, If you wanna hate America, watch the news. If you wanna love America, drive through it. And that really struck me because that's what I do. We're literally on tour right now. I'm in the back of a tour bus. And we've been through blue states, red states, purple states. And when I'm singing songs and people are singing with me, we're not Democrats, we're not Republicans, we're Americans. That said, I do think we are seeing um with some of these leftist uh nominees for, for Democratic offices. That, that spout America deserved 9/11. Look, we've seen uh a couple uh be, be uh nominated in New York just yesterday in Colorado where I was. So, I think we cannot ignore that. There, there is, uh, from internally, this Marxist anti-Semitic creep that I think um we have to be aware of and we have to fight back because that's not who we are, you know. You know, we can be liberals, we can be conservatives, but no, we, we, you know, America is the greatest country uh that has existed on this planet. And it shouldn't be something that we're ashamed to say. Are we perfect? Of course not. But not, no country has done more for human rights, uh, liberty, and good than America, and we're gonna celebrate that this weekend. Listen, the last time you and I spoke, you had just been awarded the white rose for fighting anti-Semitism and standing with the Jewish community, especially on the heels of October 7th, and we had just learned it was a very emotional time. Former Israeli hostage and very talented musician in his own right, Elan Ohel, had been released by Hamas terrorists. You even reimagined your song Superman for him. Talk about what it's like to be performing it with him. He's going to be accompanying you this weekend. You know, if you would have told me a year and a half ago when we released Superman for Alone in the Hostages that um on 4th of July 250, I would be on the Nimitz with Alone playing piano, singing Superman with me, I would have said, you're crazy, but You know what, it's a miracle. And um thanks to Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, not just alone, but all the hostages were released. And, but look, you know, America has a history of making miracles. If, if you look back at our history these last 250 years, um, it's something we do because we have the will to do what no one else will. And alone would not be with us if not for the United States. So to have him sitting next to me, On that ship, I think is symbolic of not only his fortitude, but things that America can only do that make the world a better place and certainly he is one of them. You had yet to reunite with him or to actually meet him after his release the last time you and I spoke. What was that first encounter like and what was it like the first time you played together? You know, he walked out of the elevator and, you know, he was a little smaller than I thought from his pictures. And I said, you know, I said, I don't mean to be weird, but can I give you a hug? He's like, of course. And uh there was a big group hug with a lot of us. And uh we spent a couple of days together in DC. We performed at the AIPAC conference and really kind of became, um became close, and, and uh he's surprisingly mentally fit. He can talk about what happened to him. Uh, I remember, uh, after we first performed, we went to a deli, and he said when he was in captivity, he kinda had this kind of fantasy of a chocolate milk, milkshake with Bailey's. And so I ran back into the kitchen and they were closing. I said, I don't care what you have to do, I need a chocolate milkshake with Bailey's. And, uh, and they got him. And, and watching him drink that milkshake with his mother next to him. Again, it's something I never thought I'd see, but look, uh, you see that from, from all Israelis and our Jewish friends. I'm not Jewish, you don't have to be Jewish to support our Jewish friends, you just have to be sane and to have him with me again is, is an honor, and, and I'll treasure every second that we're together. Uh, John, final thoughts here because we only have about 10 seconds left. As you get ready to play on for America 250, what do you want people to know? America is the hope of the world. We're not perfect, but, um, I think we're gonna have an even better next 250 years. So get out there, light some sparklers, have a beer, have a hot dog, celebrate the greatest nation that ever existed. And thank you, Eric. You are, uh, you're also leading the fight. We appreciate you. All right, John Andrassic, 5 for fighting. Thanks so much for being here. We'll see you again soon, I hope. Thanks, buddy.

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State Attorney General Jennifer Davenport is applauding the Supreme Court's ruling this week upholding birthright citizenship. The ruling blocks an executive order by President Trump challenging a long settled understanding of the 14th Amendment, recognizing children born on US soil as citizens regardless of the status of their parents. New Jersey was one of 32 states petitioning the Supreme Court to leave birthright citizenship's rules as is. Today the Supreme Court affirmed what courts, legislators, and the 14th Amendment has guaranteed for more than a century. Birthright citizens are Americans. We stand up for our residents. We stand up for the rule of law, and we win. The Supreme Court also voted to uphold state laws banning transgender student athletes from playing on girls and women's sports teams. They ruled Idaho and West Virginia's state bans do not violate the Constitution or Title IX. The financial crisis in the state's second largest city becoming more desperate. The Jersey City council rejecting a 15% tax hike. Now about $100 million from the state is up in the air. This was the scene at Wednesday's meeting. Residents don't want their taxes going up, understandably so, but Mayor James Solomon, who points blame at the previous administration, is pushing for the increase. He says that this is the epitome of kicking the can down the road, and it will only hurt residents. I will not repeat what Mayor Phillip did to this city. Over my dead body will we have that happen if we, if we push, if we push, if we, if we push this year on this year's alone, we are spending tens of millions of dollars on interest payments that simply were because things were bonded for because of the credit card, we're gonna destroy. The city, have there been any discussions at all about a 3rd or 4th or 5th option that says, hey, we can come up with some other cuts and other things in in our budget and come up with a lower tax rate, um, and, and not harm, uh, and push out every single Jersey City resident, um, have, have we had. Anybody in the conversation in Trenton talking to folks in Trenton about that Council members do say it's almost certain there will be a tax increase at some point. NJ Transit's fare hike is now in effect, up 3% for all trains and buses. This increase has commuters frustrated. Many didn't realize it was planned 2 years ago. I hate hearing, oh, well, This and that and the 3rd. This is why we're doing it, but no real explanation to make us understand why it's necessary. I'm pretty sure they're making plenty of money. The infinite annual increases were adopted to keep pace with increasing costs after 10 public hearings. And that'll do it for this week. I'm Eric Landskronner. Happy 4th. Happy 250th America, and thanks for watching New Jersey Power and Politics.

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Political Reporter Brent Johnson, Republican strategist Jeanette Hoffman, former Democratic Assemblyman John Wisniewski and Grammy-nominated music artist Five For Fighting, John Ondrasik, join the show this week.

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