One of my formative memories of moving here (in 2007) was the N train coming above ground in Queens -- as cell service returned, people on the car started pulling out their phones, and I could hear conversations in at least four languages. I, former bullied kid that I was, found that experience so delightfully welcoming, like, "here is a place where being different is okay, because literally nobody gives a shit what you're doing".
The level of double-think necessary to be afraid of someone speaking Spanish in this city boggles the mind. Silwa's worldview requires him to disbelieve the evidence of his own eyes and ears, all day, every day, forever. No wonder he comes off like such a complete fucking weirdo.
Waaaaayyyyy back in the 1980s Dark Ages when I was a very young metalhead/punk bopping around to bars and parties at all hours, I was always happy and relieved when a crew of the Guardian Angels rolled up in the subway car I was riding. They kept the creepers and muggers and flashers at bay, and were unfailingly polite and friendly. (I was an innocent, poorly informed little person who didn’t know that Sliwa was aping Bernie Goetz.)
Here’s the thing about this age group. Fox ruined them. Their brains are fkn rotted. Way back in the 2000s when I was a young electronic music fan, I was at an after-after party in New Orleans at about 9 in the morning. We were on a buffet of drugs and this guy was like “do you believe in conspiracy theories?” And I was like “yeah, obviously..” ya know, THAT used to mean something totally different. At the time, it just meant you understood our history of in the middle east and Iran-contra and all the coups we backed in Latin -America. Anyway, this dude started legit crying and he was like “I hate my job, I thought I could use it to build a career, but I work on the O’Reilley Factor and I’m having a mental breakdown because Fox News is going to destroy this country.” And I was just like… yeah, they’re conservative and they suck, but you might just need a xanax and a disco nap.
And I think about that all the time. He did, in fact, need a xanax and a disco nap, but he was not being hyperbolic at all. He knew what was happening. I never saw the guy again… it was awkward and weird for both of us on multiple levels, but he was right.
I wasn’t around for the New York of the 80s, but I’ve heard it was sketchy. Who wouldn’t be happy to see those guys back then - particularly as a young female on the freakin subway with flashers and muggers and creepers? But… we’re talking about an entire generation who has gone completely off the fkn deep end. They’ll sit here and talk about Biden’s Memory, but they’ve forgot that Russia isn’t our friend, they’ve forgotten NATO is good, they’ve forgotten that a lot of fkn New Yorkers speak Spanish, and apparently, they’ve also forgotten that they’re 60-70 yr old men with limited fkn hip and knee mobility. I just looked it up - this man is 69 years old. Can you imagine being 69 years old and starting a fkn street fight? These guys are hopped up on fkn misguided rage. 🤷♀️
Oh for heaven’s sake! And wow! Yes - I remember Wilton (William) so fondly! We had a falling out in 1989, and have not spoken since. Can you divulge who you are in RL? 😊
Oh, my, Kira. He and I had a falling out in 1995 and ditto.
Would you mind if we traded email addys perhaps? I'll be more than happy to divulge but would rather do it privately. We can delete these immediately or you can just email me and I'll respond?
Edited to add: Just emailed you at the substack email after following you--did you receive it?
I've seen movies about psychos who have been exactly like that. Sliwa, even back in the '70s and '80s, always struck me as being kinda slimey himself. How did I, as a Midwest teenager, get this impression? Because he was on TV ALL THE FUCKING TIME to tell everyone about what a service they were giving the city of New York.
Which really shouldn’t matter. Assaulting an immigrant is still a crime. But it does show how little concern he has for the truth. If you’re speaking Spanish in public, the MAGAt mob will assume you’re an “illegal” and make you “suck concrete.”
It’s true! Spanish is a very painful language to speak. That guy could have hurt himself or others with his Spanish. I knew a guy once who spoke Spanish. He blew up. Maybe everyone here should think about that and thank the Guardian People Thingies for protecting us from dangerous languages!
If they think Spanish is a dangerous language to speak, they should hear someone with a thick Scottish accent! Whenever I see anyone with one of THOSE talking, it literally looks and sounds like a lot of painful work. I'm surprised none of them have strangled themselves!
I hope that guy sues. The Guardian Angels have always been a joke. We used to bomb subway cars (with graffiti) and dare them to do shit. They never did.
okay, so, wtf, I only knew the Guardian Angels from parody before now. Turns out they're a bunch of lunatic thugs out to beat up anyone who doesn't speak English 24/7?
It must get tiresome, being murdered dead day after day How can you even make an appointment? Odds are, one of you won't be able to make it, on account of being slain by some furriner. Is it random, or is there a schedule of some kind? Do you get a summons to be murdered dead, like for jury duty? How else can you plan your day? I mean, there must be some high-powered necromancy going on to keep the population stats and crowd sizes up, unless all that news footage of traffic jams and great crowds of people are all done with green screens and CGI.
It really is a drag - all the clothes that I wear to shows in NYC end up being riddled with bullet holes and knife tears (none of this 𝘰𝘳 malarkey - we're not like wimpy Portland) by the time I get Grand Central to take the train home.
I don't believe the bullshit narrative that corporate media spun about migrants attacking NYPD officers. The only gang worse than NYPD is probably LA County Sheriff's office. When someone beats the shit out of an LAPD pig, that pig deserved it and more. Fuck the police. All cops are bastards. I'll consider changing my mind when I see empirical evidence to the contrary, which doesn't exist
One of my formative memories of moving here (in 2007) was the N train coming above ground in Queens -- as cell service returned, people on the car started pulling out their phones, and I could hear conversations in at least four languages. I, former bullied kid that I was, found that experience so delightfully welcoming, like, "here is a place where being different is okay, because literally nobody gives a shit what you're doing".
The level of double-think necessary to be afraid of someone speaking Spanish in this city boggles the mind. Silwa's worldview requires him to disbelieve the evidence of his own eyes and ears, all day, every day, forever. No wonder he comes off like such a complete fucking weirdo.
When do the cops arrest that gang for street thuggery on a us citizen?
You might want to do some more reading of how fascism comes to power. It is always with the tacit support of the police.
Waaaaayyyyy back in the 1980s Dark Ages when I was a very young metalhead/punk bopping around to bars and parties at all hours, I was always happy and relieved when a crew of the Guardian Angels rolled up in the subway car I was riding. They kept the creepers and muggers and flashers at bay, and were unfailingly polite and friendly. (I was an innocent, poorly informed little person who didn’t know that Sliwa was aping Bernie Goetz.)
Anyway: goodness gracious how times have changed.
Here’s the thing about this age group. Fox ruined them. Their brains are fkn rotted. Way back in the 2000s when I was a young electronic music fan, I was at an after-after party in New Orleans at about 9 in the morning. We were on a buffet of drugs and this guy was like “do you believe in conspiracy theories?” And I was like “yeah, obviously..” ya know, THAT used to mean something totally different. At the time, it just meant you understood our history of in the middle east and Iran-contra and all the coups we backed in Latin -America. Anyway, this dude started legit crying and he was like “I hate my job, I thought I could use it to build a career, but I work on the O’Reilley Factor and I’m having a mental breakdown because Fox News is going to destroy this country.” And I was just like… yeah, they’re conservative and they suck, but you might just need a xanax and a disco nap.
And I think about that all the time. He did, in fact, need a xanax and a disco nap, but he was not being hyperbolic at all. He knew what was happening. I never saw the guy again… it was awkward and weird for both of us on multiple levels, but he was right.
I wasn’t around for the New York of the 80s, but I’ve heard it was sketchy. Who wouldn’t be happy to see those guys back then - particularly as a young female on the freakin subway with flashers and muggers and creepers? But… we’re talking about an entire generation who has gone completely off the fkn deep end. They’ll sit here and talk about Biden’s Memory, but they’ve forgot that Russia isn’t our friend, they’ve forgotten NATO is good, they’ve forgotten that a lot of fkn New Yorkers speak Spanish, and apparently, they’ve also forgotten that they’re 60-70 yr old men with limited fkn hip and knee mobility. I just looked it up - this man is 69 years old. Can you imagine being 69 years old and starting a fkn street fight? These guys are hopped up on fkn misguided rage. 🤷♀️
Hello Kira. I met you a few times in the 80s. At the time, we had a mutual friend named Wilton (or William).
Oh for heaven’s sake! And wow! Yes - I remember Wilton (William) so fondly! We had a falling out in 1989, and have not spoken since. Can you divulge who you are in RL? 😊
Hope you got the email? Let me know, if you would :D
Oh, my, Kira. He and I had a falling out in 1995 and ditto.
Would you mind if we traded email addys perhaps? I'll be more than happy to divulge but would rather do it privately. We can delete these immediately or you can just email me and I'll respond?
Edited to add: Just emailed you at the substack email after following you--did you receive it?
I'm I a bad person for thinking it would be hilarious if they did that to a Spanish tourist with consular connections? (Not, clearly for the tourist)
The timing alone was suspicious. They caught an “illegal” shoplifting just as Sliwa was being interviewed on national TV?
And it’s hardly the first time Sliwa has staged fake crimes to make his goons look good.
I've seen movies about psychos who have been exactly like that. Sliwa, even back in the '70s and '80s, always struck me as being kinda slimey himself. How did I, as a Midwest teenager, get this impression? Because he was on TV ALL THE FUCKING TIME to tell everyone about what a service they were giving the city of New York.
THE MAN ATTACKED WAS A U.S
CITIZEN
Which really shouldn’t matter. Assaulting an immigrant is still a crime. But it does show how little concern he has for the truth. If you’re speaking Spanish in public, the MAGAt mob will assume you’re an “illegal” and make you “suck concrete.”
"Which really shouldn’t matter. "
No. It shouldn't.
I certainly hope a lawsuit is in the works.
It’s true! Spanish is a very painful language to speak. That guy could have hurt himself or others with his Spanish. I knew a guy once who spoke Spanish. He blew up. Maybe everyone here should think about that and thank the Guardian People Thingies for protecting us from dangerous languages!
If they think Spanish is a dangerous language to speak, they should hear someone with a thick Scottish accent! Whenever I see anyone with one of THOSE talking, it literally looks and sounds like a lot of painful work. I'm surprised none of them have strangled themselves!
Ach, ye ken. 😂
Attacking a man who speaking Spanish sounds like a hate crime to me. Will the Feds investigate?
I can't read about these vigilante shitheads without thinking about the great scene in "Jeffrey" that satirized them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wft3c07r1KY
who says you can't get good weed in idaho? i dunno...
I hope that guy sues. The Guardian Angels have always been a joke. We used to bomb subway cars (with graffiti) and dare them to do shit. They never did.
okay, so, wtf, I only knew the Guardian Angels from parody before now. Turns out they're a bunch of lunatic thugs out to beat up anyone who doesn't speak English 24/7?
They've been around NYC since the 1980s.
Arrested for walking while Hispanic, and for assaulting white guys' fists with his face.
It must get tiresome, being murdered dead day after day How can you even make an appointment? Odds are, one of you won't be able to make it, on account of being slain by some furriner. Is it random, or is there a schedule of some kind? Do you get a summons to be murdered dead, like for jury duty? How else can you plan your day? I mean, there must be some high-powered necromancy going on to keep the population stats and crowd sizes up, unless all that news footage of traffic jams and great crowds of people are all done with green screens and CGI.
It really is a drag - all the clothes that I wear to shows in NYC end up being riddled with bullet holes and knife tears (none of this 𝘰𝘳 malarkey - we're not like wimpy Portland) by the time I get Grand Central to take the train home.
You don't pay extra for the kevlar weave, what do you expect?
I don't believe the bullshit narrative that corporate media spun about migrants attacking NYPD officers. The only gang worse than NYPD is probably LA County Sheriff's office. When someone beats the shit out of an LAPD pig, that pig deserved it and more. Fuck the police. All cops are bastards. I'll consider changing my mind when I see empirical evidence to the contrary, which doesn't exist
It's kind of surprising Sliwa is still around after all these years. You'd think he would have been busted for fraud or something.
Look how long it took them to get Rudy.