Posted on 01/28/2016 11:51:24 AM PST by conservativejoy
In a statement following his announcement that he would not be participating in tonight's GOP debate on Fox News, Donald Trump‘s campaign said, "[He will] host an event in Iowa to raise money for the Veterans and Wounded Warriors, who have been treated so horribly by our all talk, no action politicians." This morning, Ben Ferguson contrasted that with statements the real estate tycoon made in 1991 and 2004, when he tried to get homeless and disabled veterans kicked off of Fifth Avenue in front of the famed Trump Tower.
Trump is decrying "all talk, no action politicians" now just as he was in the 1990s, though the action he wanted the New York State Assembly to take then regarding disabled veterans was markedly different than the action he is blaming President Barack Obama's administration for not taking now. (It should be noted, too, that actions that have been taken by some organizations to aid veterans have turned out not to be all they claim to be.) In a 1991 letter to the Assembly, he wrote, "While disabled veterans should be given every opportunity to earn a living, is it fair to do so to the detriment of the city as a whole or its tax paying citizens and businesses?"
By "detriment of the city," the future GOP frontrunner meant "detriment of Trump Tower," which sits on Fifth Avenue. While it is known as a ritzy shopping district in New York, Fifth Avenue is also the home of dozens of opportunistic street vendors. Many of them are disabled veterans who are given special licenses by the Department of Consumer Affairs. According to The Daily News, the protections and exceptions extended to peddling veterans date back to the 1890s and were created to give those who were disabled in the Civil War an opportunity to support themselves.
Though previous attempts to relocate veterans to streets where they would make less money didn't work, Trump was undeterred. In 2004, he wrote to then-mayor and possible future presidential rival Michael Bloomberg, imploring him to help get rid of the wounded warriors on his street.
"Whether they are veterans or not, they should not be allowed to sell on this most important and prestigious shopping street," he wrote. "The image of New York City will suffer… I hope you can stop this very deplorable situation before it is too late."
The GOP debate and Trump's counter-event begin in 10 hours, so get your strongest drinks ready because this topic is sure to come up once or twice or 15 times tonight
Prove or be labeled a LIAR.
Or you could read the latest poll from New Hampshire and see that Jeb! is up to 11 percent, within the margin of error for Cruz, Rubio, and Kasich. Sure, it is a tie for second place, and Trump is running the field there, but anything that opens the door for a 2nd or third place finish for Jeb! there will reinvigorate the GOPe.
This just in - Ted Cruz doesn’t have anyone living on his front lawn. Veterans groups are outraged..
"For Years, Trump's Charity Gave Veterans Little More Than Peanuts"
http://www.weeklystandard.com/for-years-trumps-charity-gave-veterans-little-more-than-peanuts/article/2000776
Just thought you should know that the article is about licensed street vendors who have a special license as veterans or disabled veterans. These men are trying to make a legitimate living.
Apparently Mr. Trump’s support of veterans does not extend to allowing them to work for a living in proximity to his precious building.
You made it sound like he was in a Tie with Trump. BS
Most of the peddlers seem to sell hats and scarves, but they say business is WAY down this year, because their customers can’t afford to buy their wares.
I can’t stand street peddlers either — even these types (and I don’t care whether they’re veterans or not!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNWX4W3_f54
Licensed Bums? A man wouldn’t do that.
https://newrepublic.com/minutes/128548/donald-trump-repeatedly-asked-new-york-city-government-get-veterans-off-fifth-avenue-aesthetically-displeasing
I’m not buying anything you’re...er, peddling.
Why don’t some of you come to NY for a day and see what it’s like on Fifth Avenue from, let’s say, the Sherry Netherlands down to Washington Square Park. You guys don’t have a clue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmM4ZBoppNQ
Again, these are licensed street merchants with confirmed veteran status.
Or did you not bother to read the article?
“Situational and expedient” is the perfect description of everything Trump says or does.
Trump also pushes little old ladies in font of trains...Steals candy from little kids hands...Kicks little puppy dogs... Hangs kittens up by their tails...
he is such a mean, nasty old man...HARRUMPH!!!!!!!
I despise Yeb as much as you.
But at least Yeb isn’t lying about who he is.
Hey Teddy, why not invite some of these “Licensed” bums to your home, they can greet you quest.
Would you please stop spamming every thread with that? Or don’t you have anything else to say?
Trump is a ruthless cut throat when it comes to his self interest. Foolish people think he cares about them. How gullible!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.