Growing Up Giuliani

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  • Posted By: motorvoter @ 11/30/2007 8:41:05 AM

    Giuliani's father, Harold, sounds a lot like the "Rocky" character in the beginning of the first "Rocky" movie starring Sylvester Stallone. Remember how Rocky's trainer (portrayed by Burgess Meredith) scolds Rocky because Rocky is a failure as a boxer and beats people in order to collect money for a loan shark - it sounds exactly like Harold Giuliani. The fact that Rudy Giuliani successfully prosecuted Mafia chieftains, drastically reduced crime in New York City, brought businesses and jobs back to New York City, reduced taxes and moved many people off the welfare rolls and into paying jobs is a remarkable achievement for any man. It is more of an achievement for Rudy Giuliani because of his father's "Rocky" background. Most Italian Americans are not affiliated with the Mafia. The numbers of Italian Americans involved in any crime are statistically low compared with the non-Italian American population. This Newsweek article was written by bigots for bigots. Newsweek has no credibility anymore. Rudy Giuliani will win for the Republicans in 2008. The liberals are most afraid that he will be the Republican nominee. That is why the liberal media and the liberals in general are after him. I am voting for Rudy Giuliani for President in 2008. He is a great man and he will be a great president. God bless America. It is, and always will be, the greatest country on earth.

    • Posted By: caroline @ 11/30/2007 9:42:23 AM

      I found the piece fascinating (the few minor errors I noticed and posted earlier notwithstanding). Who wants to read about someone's plain-vanilla background? Rudy's background made him who he is: blustery, bombastic, curt, expedient, rigid, self-absorbed. He was the right man AFTER 9/11 for a few months in the limelight. America was in a state of shock and we needed a few heros. Hey, no one's perfect but c'mon, Rudy is hardly a statesman. As someone else said, he's George W. with brains....I'd add "and without compassion". If we want to spend the next four years, America, beating up real and perceived enemies and running our own country into the ground, Rudy's our man!

  • Posted By: Yikes123 @ 11/30/2007 4:22:05 AM

    How can you tell that Liberals are in PANIC mode over Rudy? Thanks for enlightening me, Newsweek, with the facts and leaving out the half-truths and innuendo. I guess I better vote for Hillary now. She will save us with her strong leadership and good moral character.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/29/2007 8:52:25 PM

    Guilliani did deal the mafia a great blow but the mafia is still there. He was a good mayor however he would not be the best choice for President. There are better options in the democratic party; there are no options in the Rebpublican party. Someone from the Department of Homeland Securtiy should have ran for the Republican nomination. We need a President tGhat can overcome gridlock and position the United States as a respected leader in our global community. Guilliani wants too much too fast he should go work for the department of homeland security and prove his abilities. Homeland Security needs someone who can balance the relationship with the CIA, FBI and local authorities. If he can prove he can bring unity then I would take a second look. Remember on 9/11 the terrorist were in control, Guilliani never saw it coming.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/29/2007 8:51:20 PM

    Comment: Comment: There is a serious threat in our world today, dirty bombs. Three men were arrested for allegedly trying to sell weapons-grade uranium, which apparently came from the former USSR. It is very easy now a days to get enough uranium to make a dirty bomb.There are many avenues a terrorist organization can pursue to obtain these materials. It could be through mafia organizations in Eastern Europe who have connections with Russian organized crime or government officials in Asia, Europe and the Middle East who all share common interests with these terrorist organizations. Which candidate can destabilize these threats and how will they secure the Russian nuclear, chemical and biological arsernal?? Which candidate can best manage the American relationship with China, Russia and the Middle East?? Having a bad realationship with these countries will make it impossible to successfully nolify this threat. Do any of these candidates have the skill, courage and unwavering determination to confront this issue. Guilliani did deal the mafia a great blow but the mafia is still there. He was a good mayor however he would not be the best choice for President. There are better options in the democratic party; there are no options in the Rebpublican party. Someone from the Department of Homeland Securtiy should have ran for the Republican nomination. We need a President tGhat can overcome gridlock and position the United States as a respected leader in our global community. Guilliani wants too much too fast he should go work for the department of homeland security and prove his abilities. Homeland Security needs someone who can balance the relationship with the CIA, FBI and local authorities. If he can prove he can bring unity then I would take a second look. Remember on 9/11 the terrorist were in control, Guilliani never saw it coming.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/29/2007 8:39:33 PM

    Comment: There is a serious threat in our world today, dirty bombs. Three men were arrested for allegedly trying to sell weapons-grade uranium, which apparently came from the former USSR. It is very easy now a days to get enough uranium to make a dirty bomb.There are many avenues a terrorist organization can pursue to obtain these materials. It could be through mafia organizations in Eastern Europe who have connections with Russian organized crime or government officials in Asia, Europe and the Middle East who all share common interests with these terrorist organizations. Which candidate can destabilize these threats and how will they secure the Russian nuclear, chemical and biological arsernal?? Which candidate can best manage the American relationship with China, Russia and the Middle East?? Having a bad realationship with these countries will make it impossible to successfully nolify this threat. Do any of these candidates have the skill, courage and unwavering determination to confront this issue. Guilliani did deal the mafia a great blow but the mafia is still there. He was a good mayor however he would not be the best choice for President. There are better options in the democratic party; there are no options in the Rebpublican party. Someone from the Department of Homeland Securtiy should have ran for the Republican nomination. We need a President tGhat can overcome gridlock and position the United States as a respected leader in our global community. Guilliani wants too much too fast he should go work for the department of homeland security and prove his abilities. Homeland Security needs someone who can balance the relationship with the CIA, FBI and local authorities. If he can prove he can bring unity then I would take a second look. Remember on 9/11 the terrorist were in control, Guilliani never saw it coming.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/29/2007 8:31:23 PM

    Comment: Guilliani has a very rigid mind and power hungry mentality. He laughed at the thought of terrorist flying planes into the trade center; he never saw it coming. We need a President that can anticipate threats and derail them before they become a reality. A big part of that is managing relations in the middle east, eastere europe, China and Africa. Africa really needs attention. If their problems are not dealt with the world will pay a high price. Can Guilliani make head way in Africa, I don't think so. In eastern Europe I don't think so. In the middleast? You have got to be kidding me. I think he would make a good domestic President. To his credit he was a good mayor, but the means he took to achieve his goals were ruthless. I think Guiliani has a rigid mind and does not care if people have to suffer. His approach in New York was not tough, it was cruel. I think Guilaini should manage the treasury department. Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama are the only two candidates that won't forget about you and I and what is best for you and I. As mentioned Guilliani has a rigid mind and will only serve the intersest of his personal networks; Orthodox Jews are great financial supporters of Guiliani, I just cannnot envision Guilliani bringing peace to the Middle East and improving the lives of all not just those who are "worhty".

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/29/2007 6:49:18 PM

    There is a serious threat in our world today, dirty bombs. Three men were arrested for allegedly trying to sell weapons-grade uranium, which apparently came from the former USSR. It is very easy now a days to get enough uranium to make a dirty bomb.There are many avenues a terrorist organization can pursue to obtain these materials. It could be through mafia organizations in Eastern Europe who have connections with Russian organized crime or government officials in Asia, Europe and the Middle East who all share common interests with these terrorist organizations. Which candidate can destabilize these threats and how will they secure the Russian nuclear, chemical and biological arsernal?? Which candidate can best manage the American relationship with China, Russia and the Middle East?? Having a bad realationship with these countries will make it impossible to successfully nolify this threat. Do any of these candidates have the skill, courage and unwavering determination to confront this issue.

  • Posted By: eddiewhere @ 11/29/2007 6:49:00 PM

    Guilliani has a very rigid mind and power hungry mentality. He laughed at the thought of terrorist flying planes into the trade center; he never saw it coming. We need a President that can anticipate threats and derail them before they become a reality. A big part of that is managing relations in the middle east, eastere europe, China and Africa. Africa really needs attention. If their problems are not dealt with the world will pay a high price. Can Guilliani make head way in Africa, I don't think so. In eastern Europe I don't think so. In the middleast? You have got to be kidding me. I think he would make a good domestic President. To his credit he was a good mayor, but the means he took to achieve his goals were ruthless. I think Guiliani has a rigid mind and does not care if people have to suffer. His approach in New York was not tough, it was cruel. I think Guilaini should manage the treasury department. Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama are the only two candidates that won't forget about you and I and what is best for you and I. As mentioned Guilliani has a rigid mind and will only serve the intersest of his personal networks; Orthodox Jews are great financial supporters of Guiliani, I just cannnot envision Guilliani bringing peace to the Middle East and improving the lives of all not just those who are "worhty".

  • Posted By: RobertoNYC @ 11/27/2007 11:35:27 AM

    This article is just another example of the ignorant and petty manipulation of journalism today. To insinuate throughout an article that loyalty, political favoritism, sense of morality, and trust amongst friends and trusted allies is indicative of a "shady" Italian-American when in fact it is common-place amongst every politician, business man and yes, average person, is a blatant attempt to associate these values of an Italian-American with the cliche' "mafia" mentality.

    As much as I do not agree with Giuliani's politics NOR am I supporting his bid for the Presidency, I, an Italian-American from NYC, will not stand for anyone or any journalist slander an Italian-American for having values that our community instills in us as a form of liability. Italian-American values are solid and have given us a STRONG sense of right/wrong. It should be admired instead of seen as "worrisome" by those who are so narrow-minded that cannot disassociate reality from ficticious TV programs and films.

    People growing up in ethnic communities in NYC are not like white-bred protestant middle America. Good. Maybe the journalist should make that point as well and point out some of the FLAWED characteristics of those communities that have taken this country to where it is today in subsequent articles.

    • Posted By: pquinn @ 11/28/2007 5:21:13 PM

      I feel the same way every time I see the Irish depicted as drunks. But, you know something, a lot of us are.

      America's fascination with the Mob only speaks to the insipidity of our homogenized consumer culture. Marconi and Fermi notwithstanding, I for one think our greatest debt to Italian immigrants is bringing a to this country a real cuisine!

      • Posted By: caroline @ 11/29/2007 11:02:44 AM

        pquinn: well put. The Irish seem to have a love affair with the bottle, I know a few in my own family did. They also have that wonderful way with words and that magical, tangential relationship with reality. Every group has a few stereotypes that have a basis in reality. I think that's great; it keeps us all humble! Thanks to the Italians, I grew up in New York with the greatest pizza in the country. My kids still wonder why the rest of the country can't do it as well. Plus the Italians have a passion for style, a love of family and a warmth that has so enriched our culture. America is great because we have taken the best from every culture and made it into what is uniquely our own.

  • Posted By: motorvoter @ 11/29/2007 9:21:00 AM

    This article was an excellent example of "yellow journalism". Giuliani actually improved the lives of millions of New Yorkers. Giuliani decimated the Mafia. He was responsible for lowering the crime rate, moving people from welfare into paying jobs, increasing the number of businesses, increasing the amount of revenue, lowering taxes, and in every way, increasing the quality of life for native New Yorkers and visitors to the city. Liberal Democrats and their minions in the media know that Rudy Giuliani will win for the Republicans in 2008. They will stoop to any tactic, no matter how low, to take him out of the game. You will never see an article like this about someone they can twist around their fingers. However, Giuliani is not someone whom the Liberal Democrats or Liberal Media can bend to their will. They know that he will stand for a strong America. Giuliani will save us from the Liberal agenda. Rudy Giuliani can win for the Republicans in 2008 and that is why Newsweek ran this outrageously libelous and bigoted article about this man. I am a native New Yorker, born and raised in New York City. I remember the city before Giuliani became mayor, and I saw the miracle that this one man brought forth. Giuliani is a true leader. I am voting for Giuliani for President in 2008. God bless America - the greatest country on earth.

  • Posted By: ECD1949 @ 11/28/2007 6:23:11 PM

    Giuliani's biography was truly fascinating -- he's a man of character with strong moral convictions but at the same time a human being with all the many facets of good and evil. The New York City backdrop couldn't have been more harsh. You gotta admire him for having survived the mire and muck.

    Now tell me about Hillary -- turnabout is fair play. If truth be known -- her biography would tell of her self-serving, ego-centric, corrupt and ambitious lust for power and wealth at the expense of many fallen lives, -- oh, and how well she and Gov/Pres. Clinton covered their tracks.

  • Posted By: Mario2222 @ 11/25/2007 9:22:08 PM

    Another piece of LIBERAL crap.
    The Liberals are afraid of Hillery having to face RUDY

    • Posted By: pquinn @ 11/28/2007 5:23:19 PM

      Hillary x Hillery. spell check is a good thing.

  • Posted By: motorvoter @ 11/28/2007 1:24:39 PM

    Rudy Giuliani is a strong leader. He improved the quality for the citizens of New York City. Giuliani reduced the crime rate and reduced taxes. People moved off the welfare rolls and into employment. Giuliani's policies encouraged businesses to return to the city. The tax base increased because more businesses increased the number of wage-earners. Newsweek's article is extremely bigoted against Italian Americans. Most Italian Americans have absolutely no connection to the Mafia. I was raised to believe that bigoty was wrong and that you "do not judge the many by the actions of the few". Newsweek's article is a libel to Italian Americans. Your article deliberately ignores the fact that Giuliani put many members of the mob into prison. He demonstrated great courage and risked his own personal safety in order to achieve these goals. People who lived in the New York city during the administrations first of Mayor Dinkins and then of Mayor Giuliani can attest that the city became a much safer place under Giuliani. Giuliani worked a miracle in New York. He will be a great president.

  • Posted By: motorvoter @ 11/28/2007 12:41:40 PM

    Rudy Giuliani improved the quality of life for the citizens of New York city. He reduced the crime rate and reduced taxes. His policies encouraged businesses to return to the city - thus encouraging businesses to return to the city. More business increased the number of wage-earners. Newsweek's article is extremely bigoted. I was raised to believe that you "do not judge the many by the actions of a few". Newsweek's article is a libel to Italian Americans. Most Italian Americans have no connection to the Mafia. Your article deliberately ignores the fact that Giuliani put many members of the mob into prison. He demonstrated great courage and risked his own personal safety in order to achieve these goals. Compare New York City under Mayor Dinkins to New York City under Mayor Giuliani. Giuliani worked a miracle in New York. He will be a great president.

  • Posted By: SWatan2007 @ 11/27/2007 5:57:54 PM

    Leans Democratic? They put an immoral traitor like Carl Rove on the payroll and yet they are biased toward Democrats??? At times they can be accused of telling the truth, which is their proper mandate. At times they can be accused of pandering to political bigots. But stop the liberal bias argument. It never existed in the media until Rush , Bill, Ann and Fox news came along and gave voice to the ignorant views of the far right. Enough!

  • Posted By: It's GOP Me! @ 11/27/2007 12:19:02 PM

    Me thinks thou doest protest too much, Newsweek. Rudy can win, and as a Democratic leaning publication you know it. Rudy's upbringing shows the American Dream........coming from nothing to being something. Nice try, Newsweek. Rudy will beat Hillary. Start working on that article.

  • Posted By: It's GOP Me! @ 11/27/2007 12:16:59 PM

    Me thinks thou dost protest a might too much, Newsweek. That's because Rudy can win and your agenda is stimply liberal and Democratic. Game, set, match.

  • Posted By: sentinel @ 11/27/2007 12:07:11 PM

    Rudy has serious character and temperamental shortcomings. Until he deals openly with Kerik and Placa he will be under a cloud. His personal life: what can I say. He out Bills Bill. 9/11 is not enough, Rudy is a profile in bluster and bull. Not presidential.

  • Posted By: sentinel @ 11/27/2007 12:04:40 PM

    The reaction: partisan, predictable and filled with angry Ital-Ams. Nothing surprising here. This guy invites the same strong feelings as does Hillary. Until Rudy deals with Kerik, Placa and his personal domestic issues he is hardly in a position to lead America. Rudy has serious character flaws and a temper that can get out of hand. I wouldn't want him up against foreign leaders. He is ignorant and arrogant. Bad combo.

  • Posted By: teaparty07.com @ 11/26/2007 5:20:28 PM

    All of these politicians have past discretions they don't want brought up - Giuliani, Clinton, Obama, Romney - they're all the same. Why as Americans don't we want a leader of integrity, honesty, and an unquestionable past? Research Ron Paul people - he is a strict follower of the Constitution. It's what this country was founded on and what those candidates swear to uphold, but in fact, he is the only one who chooses to base his decisions on it. The rest treat it as a nuisance and look at it as an obstacle to promote their agendas. Wake up people!!!! Stop being mindless sheep in this world - our country has gone to hell and we're going to vote another leader in office that will drag us further into it.

    Giuliani will create more hatred for us around the world and keep these senseless wars going. Hillary will create such a government controlled state at home that we won't be able to use the bathroom without their permission. I for one, enjoy being free, being able to make my own decisions and would love for our government to stop spending billions and billions of OUR tax dollars in other countries when we can't even take care of our people here at home.

    Just take the time to go research www.RonPaul2008.com and form your own opinion of him, not what the main stream media wants you to believe. They can't attack his record or his character - because it's impeccable - so they make crazy allegations about him being "kooky" and "radical." Since when should following the Constitution be considered radical??

    It's time the American people stand up for their rights and let the powers that be know that we're not going accept the crap that's been in Washington for years and years.


    • Posted By: barblze @ 11/27/2007 10:22:25 AM

      We do want a leader with integrity, honesty etc., unfortunately no one like that is running. George Bush should be the shining example of what not to elect.

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