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Lorissa Rinehart's avatar

Interestingly, La Guardia fell in love with Jeanette Rankin, America’s first congresswoman, pacifist, early proponent of RCV, passionate advocate for electoral reform, and fierce adversary of oligarchs.

Though he certainly had a mind of his own, their conversations undoubtedly shaped his opinions and helped strengthen his resolve.

Though La Guardia asked her to marry him more than once, she refused preferring to remain an independent woman untethered by another’s agenda.

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David Gottfried's avatar

La Guardia was legendary. Born of a Jewish Mother and an Italian Father, he was the first minority candidate. He vigorously fought fascists whether they be landlords or Nazi agents infiltrating New York

And, BTW, Viva Mamdani

https://davidgottfried.substack.com/p/why-this-jew-supports-mamdani-for

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Leigh Horne's avatar

As a non New Yorker, I knew nothing of this, and I am so, so grateful for your presentation of a man strong, and yes loving and clear-eyed enough to stand up for we the people in the face of such unjust criticism. I am honestly breathless in the face of that. And I hope, I pray that we will elect more and more people just like him, as the business of the day, maybe the century, is a thoroughgoing shift toward social and economic justice. I unashamedly call that progress. Thank you for this piece. More, please.

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Will Thompson's avatar

One day I hope to arrive to NYC by high speed rail, step out, and breath its air for the first time on the open concourse of the Mamdani Transit Transfer Station

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Emma Goldman-Sherman's avatar

and it will be free!

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Jeannette Weaver's avatar

La Guardia was a hero in my eyes.

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Andre Banks's avatar

I was recently at a dinner table in New York of wealthy, politically influential progressive elites that are deeply committed to racial, social and economic justice. I was genuinely shocked by how much this kind of reactionary thinking about Mamdani was passed off in that circle as "pragmatism". You've made it very clear how that pov is at least ahistorical and very likely wrong.

Great piece!

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John Tipton's avatar

great piece!

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