New York firefighters to endorse Bush

[Nambe]

NEW YORK (AP)

The union representing the city's 8,600 firefighters will endorse President Bush Wednesday night at a social club in Queens, bolstering the Bush campaign's efforts to focus the nation's attention on the president's leadership following the Sept. 11 attacks. ..

The union, which has traditionally backed both Republicans and Democrats in local and state elections, did not make an endorsement in the 2000 presidential race. ..

The International Association of Fire Fighters has endorsed Democratic Sen. John Kerry, along with the union representing the city's 2,900 fire lieutenants, captains and other officers.

A spokesman for the Bush campaign did not immediately return a call for comment, nor did a spokesman for the Kerry camp.

Click to sign “God is not a republican” letter.

[MaineDem]

1. What???

This doesn't make sense. Interesting though.

[54anickel]

2. WHAT?!?!? Unfrigginbelievable n/t

[Hawkeye-X]

3. They're smoking crack

or suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Take your choice.

[malachibk]

4. Well, it seems every other firefighter in NY is endorsing Kerry

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x713835

So what the hell are the FDNY in NYC doing?

[LittleApple81]

5. YOU MUST BE CHENEYING ME!!!!! ARE THEY SUFFERING FROM

THE WTC AFTEREFFECTS?????
This is too weird to be true!!!

[roguevalley]

6. its at times like this, intensely union that I am, that I hope they get

screwed on their contract. they're too dumb to be believed.

[Khephra]

7. At least these firemen back Kerry

New York Fire Fighter Locals Overwhelmingly Endorse Kerry for President

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x793310

[MaineDem]

8. Aren't they IAFF members?

Is this a separate union, this Uniformed Firefighters group?

[Tempest]

9. I have a feeling the membership is going to break with the union on this

Bush has done nothing to support the NYC firefighters.

Bush cut funding to first responders like the firefighters.

[aquart]

19. Read their president's message:

<http://ufalocal94.org/prez_reports/prez_message.html>

-snip-

In other news, members need to keep the heat on our elected officials as we continue to fight to obtain raises consistent with the important role we play in the workplace. By the time you read this report, the UFA will have held a rally at City Hall to remind the Mayor that obtaining a fair contract is in the city’s best interest. Your Executive Board, and Delegates are doing their part to keep the pressure on and thank you for the support you have shown by showing up June 8.

During the weeks leading up to the Republican National Convention, we have an unprecedented opportunity to remind GOP leaders to keep the promises they made to us after Sept. 11, 2001. We plan to take full advantage of the spotlight this convention will be shining on the city by keeping our issues alive.

-snip-

[Tempest]

20. Makes you wonder what the GOP offered him

A position in Bush's administration?

Or did they only have to offer him cash?

[blm]

33. Endorse Bush and will give you the money we promised 3 years ago?

Nice.

I'd say Mr. Cassidy was compromised in some other bit of blackmail. Bush has been angling for this endorsement for far too long and pressuring Bloomberg to deliver the firefighters to him for a year now.

[54anickel]

10. The UFA, must be the Uninformed Firefighters Assoc. Has to be a typo

in the article.

[expatriot]

11. Leadership and courage...

Leadership and courage...

Tell me one thing that Bush did that showed leadership and courage after 9/11. ONE THING.

Democrats would have invaded Afghanistan and did a hell of a lot better job in doing it. What did he do that was courageous?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

12. But the officers' union endorsed Kerry

good for Bush. He can put lipstick on the pig.

[MaineDem]

21. So did their umbrella organization - the IAFF

The logo on their webpage says "Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York Local 94 I.A.F.F AFL-CIO

Looks like they're bucking the entire system.

I know of police unions that have endorsed Repubs before but I'm not sure I remember any firefighters union doing it. Someone paid someone, I'm sure.

[LauraK]

49. They can kiss thier OT goodbye

[chelsea0011]

13. Then Bush can turn around and crush the union and stop OT.

He's a real people guy, you know.

[soothsayer]

14. wha??? that makes as much sense as being a log cabin repuke

weird

[expatriot]

15. The GOP is SO anti-union...

[JohnKleeb]

30. and Kerry is 90%

[expatriot]

35. 93% to be exact, I think...

[Bozita]

16. They must have inhaled too much air at ground zero

The EPA said it was just fine.

[aquart]

17. A Staten Island (Rep) endorsement at an Italian SOCIAL CLUB?

In Elmhurst, Queens????????

I'm sure there are many fine, upstanding Italian social clubs. The fact that they have come to have one single association in the minds of New Yorkers and most of the known world......wow. The reek of desperation.

George, if you got the union, how come you gotta go all the way to Queens???? Did Elmhurst firehouse lose ANYONE on 9/11?

[AlCzervik]

26. Is the Peter King (R) whore's district?

[Renew Deal]

29. No, King is mine. 3rd

[AlCzervik]

31. I'm sorry for you! Really don't like that man.

[aquart]

44. Is it? I associate him with being out on the island? Way out.

Queens is made of so many little towns.....I grew up in Bayside and I had friends in Bellerose and Flushing. I know nothing of Elmhurst.

[DoYouEverWonder]

27. Now, you should know there's no such thing as the Mafia

at least that's what my daddy always told me. But what would I know, I'm only a full blooded Sicilian. ;-)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. Kerry's a Red Sox fan

That's about the only rationale to support this.

[Jack The Tab]

22. WOW. I wish I understood this country better...

I am having a hard time believing this.

[PCIntern]

23. I believe they meant:

"uninformed firefighters", not 'uniformed firefighters'

[Baja Margie]

24. What's their fucking problem?

[Coventina]

25. What the fuck is wrong with them!?!?!?!?

That is just....I have no words.

[Robbien]

28. AARP endorsed the prescription plan and LWV endorsed Diebold

even though their membership was against the programs. The corporate elites are banding together.

[MrBenchley]

32. Weird indeed...

Have you seen their website?

http://ufalocal94.org/

[Rose Siding]

34. OMG, A mean, scary Uncle Sam

I thought, in addition to police and firefighters, I could thank the rule of law, environmental regulations, education, neighbors, freinds, and previously, the goodwill that frequently accompanies a decent reputation.

[drdtroit]

38. So unbelievable

they support the guy who has withheld the funds necessary to pay them, WTF is going on?

[MrBenchley]

41. You don't suppose

they're going to sandbag the Republicans ON LIVE TV?

They have T-Shirts: "Firefighters for a fair contract"...wouldn't it be a hoot if they put pResident Fucknut in one and let him grin at the camera like an idiot?

"The two main unions representing the workers said they plan to protest not only at Madison Square Garden, but at parties and receptions when Mayor Michael Bloomberg drops in.
The off-duty workers "are going to be looking at social events the mayor will be at with an eye toward going there," said Al O'Leary, a spokesman for the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association."

http://ufalocal94.org/news_stories/nynewsday/nynd_08_29_04.html

Probably not the case...but you can hope...

[MaineDem]

42. I'd even pay to see that. (nt)

[drdtroit]

43. Possibly

I know that there is a huge Union march on Madison Square Garden today/tonight.

[MagickMuffin]

47. googled stephan j cassidy

July 24, 2004
Stephen J. Cassidy, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, said, "We intend to make our case and to highlight the lack of respect that the mayor has for the firefighters and cops, and if we have to picket the parties that the mayor holds to do that, we will."
http://www.nycpba.org/press-nyt/04/nyt-040724-picket.html


check out this link, they're planning a anti bush rally this weekend!
http://nycclc.org/default.asp

Perhaps they are planning operation Mind F**k

[drdtroit]

36. Maybe they are hoping for early retirement ...

... when the firehouses they work out of become yet just another statistic in NYC and GWB's "war on terra".

This false bravado is all caused by testosteronic insecurity and intellectual sloth.

[laylah]

37. NO WAY!

Sorry for the shout...I cannot freakin' believe this! He screwed each and every one of their "brothers", not to mention THEM...wtf? :mad:

Jenn

[MasonJar]

39. New York firefighters endorsed Kerry at their convention, at least

according to DU article with direct quotes from the union president.

[MaineDem]

40. Do you have that link?

Thanks.

[marlakay]

45. Got to be money thats all I can say

My husband belongs to a large union for being a Bart train driver. Totally Kerry as all the unions are. They are being bought out, has to be.

I heard rumors before the convention that both the police and firefighters were thinking of striking during the convention.

The repubs with all their $$$ must have bought them off as part of the 9-11 looks good feels good promotion.

[wicket]

46. Excuse me while I...

:puke:

[LauraK]

48. How does the empire get this kind of support.

They have secret weapons.

[drscm]

50. New York CITY union - one union out of many: Deceptive headline. eom

eom

[Davis_X_Machina]

51. What's not to like. A good slice of FDNY rank and file...

...are pissed at having to share their white, male, treehouse.

Bush understands their pain.

[struggle4progress]

52. But see this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=793310&mesg_id=793310

[MaineDem]

53. DId this really happen?

Was there a meeting? Was there an endorsement?

Guess there was. Here's the union's announcement: http://ufalocal94.org/652_main/652_2004/652_62of04.html

""President Bush has dramatically increased funding for state and local law enforcement. In 2005, the President called for an additional $3.6 billion in first-responder grants and assistance, which represents a $3.1 billion increase - almost 700 percent - in funding over the previous administration. Funding for firefighters in the President's last budget represents a 400 percent increase over 2001 funding levels.""

Excuse me while I barf!

[bogey18]

54. Apparently they bought it

[NewYorkerfromMass]

56. And here:

http://www.ufalocal94.org/news_stories/chiefleader/cl_08_25_04.html

[goddess40]

55. It's blackmail

If they don't back bush, and he steals the election, they don't get the funding they've been promised. It is a life and death choice for these first responders.

Several years ago my old union in Wisconsin back rep. Governor Tommy Thompson so they would get a good raise - knowing that he was out to privatize other union jobs. Really pissed me off.