> IIRC, Sliwa is a gun grabbing statist.
I do not know his views on the Second Amendment. I believe I recall he endorsed Giuliani last election — but I could be wrong about that.
I’ve met him twice: the second time I spent several days with him and had opportunity to discuss many things. His views tended to be right-of-center on most issues. Not surprisingly, his emphasis was on Law and Order, anti-crime and providing good role models for youth — particularly those at risk.
His on-screen/on-air personna is something that he seems to switch on and off, almost like a light. Off air he is quiet, considerate and contemplative, often lost in deep thought. He is remarkably well versed in social issues worldwide.
I have also Patrolled with him. He leads from the front and, on the occasion we were out together, he went first to break up an assault, putting his own (unarmed) self between the assailant and the victims.
Needless to say, I think very highly of Curtis. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be a Volunteer in his organization.
Sliwa came from the inner city. And not just any inner city. He came from NYC. And along with that he brought the street lingo he grew up with. Being a Philadelphia inner city kid myself I related to him. Quotes like “hush hush, mush mush” and “folded like a cheap box camera” always brought back many memories.
Personally, I think he did pretty well for himself. Put his life on the line against the thugs. Was beaten with a baseball bat and shot along the way. Got educated along the way and, as far as I was concerned, held his own in whatever venue WABC placed him.
Frankly, I’m a little nonplussed about some of the unkind remarks about Sliwa that have been posted.
Perhaps some people are uncomfortable with rough and tumble people who do not put on airs with their “fancy smanchy” English.