Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap-Up 12/20/24 Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

As the Christmas season surrounds us with its warmth and joy, we encourage everyone to take a step back from the busyness of life and cherish the blessings of family, friends, and faith. Christmas is a time of gratitude, the gift of giving, and hope, and this year, we have so much to celebrate.

We are incredibly grateful for the tireless dedication of our supporters, volunteers, and community members who have stood with us through the challenges and triumphs of this past year. Together, we’ve worked to uphold the values and principles that strengthen our families, communities, and nation.

But for now, let us celebrate the blessings of this season. Take time to reflect on the joys of the past year, embrace your loved ones, and give thanks for the many gifts we hold dear as Americans. The values of faith, family, and freedom remain at the heart of our mission, and they are especially meaningful during this season. 

The spirit of Christmas reminds us of the power of compassion and the importance of community. In a world that often feels divided, this season calls for us to come together, to extend a helping hand, and to brighten the lives of others through small acts of kindness.

Whether you’re sharing laughter around a dinner table, exchanging thoughtful gifts, or reaching out to someone in need, your actions reflect the true spirit of Christmas. Let us also take a moment to honor those who are unable to be with their families this season, especially the men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms. We will continue to pray for our troops, law enforcement officers, and first responders that will always answer the call of duty no matter the time or Holiday. We cannot thank you enough. 

From all of us at the New York State Conservative Party, we wish you a Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication to the cause we all believe in so deeply. Cheers to the holiday season and a bright year ahead!

CPPAC Special Hotel Rate

February 2nd, and 3rd 2025, the Party is holding its 57th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC) at the Hilton Hotel in Albany, NY. This year’s two-day conference will preview how the Trump Administration and Republican Majorities in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will impact the Empire State.

We are pleased to offer you a reduced hotel rate if you book your room before January 2nd! Please call the Albany Hilton at 1-866-691-1183, and provide the Conservative Party’s “3CPPAC” registration code to receive the discount. Alternatively, attendees can register for lodging online here:  Make A Hotel Reservation

You can buy your ticket today, browse our new CPPAC website, and check out the schedule here:

Be on the lookout for new updates, speaker releases, and much more! This will be an exciting way to kick off the year and we hope to see you in Albany!

Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap Up 12/13/24

Conservative Party Political Action Conference 2025

February 2nd, and 3rd 2025, the Party is holding its 57th Annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC) in the heart of Albany. This year’s two-day conference will preview how the Trump Administration and Republican Majorities in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will impact the Empire State. The conference will also offer training for conservative-minded individuals who want to win in the marketplace of ideas and at the polls. CPPAC 2025 will help to strengthen your local party, establish new connections, and train your committee members. If you didn’t attend last year, you can check out our three-minute video montage here:

This year’s conference will be attended by several legislative members and political activists. We’re also featuring speakers rising on the national and state scene, such as Congressman Mike Lawler, breakout sessions, and interactive presentations. Our speakers and a detailed schedule will be finalized in the coming weeks. Last year’s event was truly spectacular, and with President Trump’s recent victory, the momentum is on our side.

You can buy your ticket today, browse our new CPPAC website, book your hotel at a special rate, and check out the schedule here:

We’ll see you in Albany!

Official Election Results

Over a month after the election, the New York State Board of Elections certified the final vote count and confirmed that President Donald Trump received more votes on the New York State Conservative Party line for President than any other presidential candidate since Nixon in 1972. This is a testament to the work you have all done over the years and we are forever grateful.

President-Elect Trump officially garnered 321,733 votes on the Conservative Party line this year, more than twice the Party’s statewide registration (158,797.) Indeed, in his three runs for President, Mr. Trump scored the second (2024: 321,733), third (2020: 296,335), and fourth highest (2016: 292,292) vote totals in the Party’s 62-year history.

President-elect Donald Trump knocked it out of the park, but what should impress people most is that New Yorkers — subject to a never-ending barrage of left-wing media — increased their vote tally for President Trump in each of his three runs. Seeing through the nonsense and voted for common sense. You can view our full press release here:

Fights Not Over

New Yorkers sent a clear message: we are fed up with one-party Democratic rule, the reckless policies that have endangered our communities, and the hostility toward conservative values.  As Ronald Reagan often reminded us, every victory is a new beginning. The fight to save New York and preserve our freedoms is far from over.

We need your help to keep the momentum going and expand our efforts to:

  • Grow our grassroots network and reach even more voters across New York.
  • Recruit and train bold, conservative candidates to fight for our values.
  • Push back against the radical left’s destructive agenda and hold them accountable.

Will you chip in $10$25$75, or even $150 today to help us continue the fight?

Or become a monthly supporter and Join the $10 Club: For just $10 a month, you can help ensure we have the resources to fight back against Albany’s radical machine and grow the Conservative Party’s influence statewide. Your recurring gift will be a game-changer. Every dollar you give goes directly toward building our movement, supporting conservative candidates, and ensuring New York doesn’t fall further into the hands of radical Democrats.

Thank you again for standing with us. Together, we’ve proven that conservative values can win—even in the bluest of states.

We Have Moved

Effective today, we have moved to a more modern, 1,100-square-foot first-floor office space. We have been in our 950-square-foot office space since April of 1989. It is bittersweet, but we are excited to move on to bigger and better things.

Our new address is 8829 Ft. Hamilton Parkway, Suite D1, Brooklyn NY, 11209. It is only a few blocks away and in the same community as our previous headquarters. Our office phone number will be remaining 718-921-2558, and our Newburgh office 845-564-7413. We hope you will come visit us and check out the new space.

TRUMP CONSERVATIVE PARTY VOTE HIGHEST SINCE 1972-Statement From NYS Conservative Party 12/10/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com

TRUMP CONSERVATIVE PARTY VOTE HIGHEST SINCE 1972
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Conservative Vote More Than Doubles Party Registration
—–
President-Elect Has Second, Third, and Fourth Highest Conservative Party Vote Count in History

Brooklyn, NY – Dec. 10…Monday’s vote certification by the New York State Board of Elections confirms that President Donald Trump received more votes on the New York State Conservative Party line for President than any other presidential candidate since 1972, New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar today announced.

Mr. Trump officially garnered 321,733 votes on the Conservative Party line this year, more than twice the Party’s statewide registration (158,797.) Indeed, in his three runs for President, Mr. Trump scored the second (2024: 321,733), third (2020: 296,335), and fourth highest (2016: 292,292) vote totals in the Party’s 62-year history. President-elect Trump did better in New York with each subsequent election, the Party noted.

“President-elect Donald Trump knocked it out of the park on the Conservative Party line in New York,” Chairman Kassar said. “His vote tallies are the second, third, and fourth highest vote tallies in our 62-year history, and that’s pretty extraordinary. But what should impress people most is that New Yorkers — subject to a never-ending barrage of left-wing media — increased their vote tally for President Trump in each of his three runs. They saw through the nonsense and voted for common sense.”

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Statement From NYS Conservative Party on Daniel Penny Acquittal 12/9/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
December 9, 2024

Statement on Daniel Penny Acquittal  by
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

“New York City jurors are a lot wiser than progressive New York City district attorneys, and thank God for that. An  extraordinary injustice was almost done to a Good Samaritan, thanks to the twisted -pro-criminal leanings of Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg. Mr. Bragg has no business being in that office, and we’re hopeful that city voters will agree in November. Daniel Penny is owed thanks — and an enormous apology — from the City of New York. This is not how heroes should be treated.”

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Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap Up 12/6/24

State Board of Regents Decision: Indefinite Delay

A few days ago, the Conservative Party released a state-wide press release calling on Governor Hochul to inform the public on a vote by the unelected Board of Regents that would be another detrimental blow to women’s sports. Simply put, the Conservative Party, and a majority of New Yorkers, want the State Board of Regents to leave girls’ sports alone. You can read our full press release here.

Thankfully, due to immense public scrutiny, the proposal to change high school sports participation rules, which would end girls only sports, has been delayed indefinitely, with the issue recanted from next week’s agenda. The vote, which was postponed after it became a hot button political issue shortly before Election Day, would have permanently allowed boys to play on girl’s high school sports teams across the Empire State if there is no corresponding boys team in that sport — volleyball and field hockey teams are common examples. The radical policy enactment would have ended girls’ sports as we know it. As we feared, the passing of Prop-One has opened the door to more radical gender policies. However, our Conservative and Republican delegation remain committed to halt these insane policies in their tracks, but we must keep the public pressure. 

As we have seen with congestion pricing, the Governor cannot be trusted. This administration will say whatever they can to buy themselves a few months of positive press, and then with a smile, will stab voters in the back. As sad as it is to say, this “indefinite delay” could very well be another Hochul/Democratic Legislative gimmick, and we must remain diligent. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect girls, as this issue is not going away. 

CPPAC SAVE THE DATE

It is that time of the year already! With the election over, we are already preparing for our heavily anticipated Conservative Party Political Action Conference (CPPAC) that we hold every February in Albany at the Hilton Hotel. This year, our two-day conference will be held Sunday, February 2nd and Monday, February 3rd 2025.  This year’s conference will preview how the Trump Administration and Republican Majorities in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will impact the Empire State.

Using the momentum from Trump’s historic victory, we are expecting to have lots of great speakers, legislators, political activists, and committee members in attendance. We will be announcing our speakers in the coming weeks leading up to the event. Sunday’s festivities will begin at approximately 12:00 pm, ending with our evening reception dinner at 6:00 pm. You are also more than welcome to join our after-hour events at the conclusion of the dinner with fellow conservatives. Last year we had a great time at the cigar bar down the road with shuttle transportation.

Monday will begin with a breakfast buffet around 7:30 am, starting our program at 9:00 am with several great speakers/topics leading up to our luncheon at 12:30 pm. Shortly after, our Executive Committee will converse, giving people some time to enjoy themselves around Albany until our Legislative Reception and award ceremony at 6:00 pm. This is going to be a notable event; more details and tickets will be available for purchase soon. 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Registrants are responsible for making hotel reservations. Please call the Hilton at 1-866-691-1183. The Conservative Party has secured a special block room rate of $159.00, if booked by Thursday, January 2, 2025. When calling the Hilton, please provide the Conservative Party’s “3CPPAC” registration code. Alternatively, attendees can register online for their hotel here:

State Legislative Update

As noted, the Conservative Party will once again be holding a Rookie Reception for new members that carry the Conservative Party line at CPPAC. This includes two current members who earned the Conservative Party line for their successful re-elections.

State Senate: 

Steve Chan- 17th Senatorial District encompassing Kings County.

Rob Rolison- 39th Senatorial District encompassing Dutchess and Orange Counties.

State Assembly:

Daniel Norber- 16th Assembly District encompassing Nassau County.

Kalman Yeger- 41st Assembly District encompassing Kings County.

Jaime Williams- 59th Assembly District encompassing Kings County.

Andrea Bailey- 133rd Assembly District encompassing Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Steuben, and Monroe Counties.

Patrick Chludzinski- 143rd Assembly District encompassing Erie County.

Paul Bologna- 144th Assembly District encompassing Erie and Niagara Counties.

Joseph Sempolinski- 148th Assembly District encompassing Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Steuben Counties.

Andrew Molitor- 150th Assembly District encompassing Chautauqua, and Erie Counties.

WE ARE MOVING

State Headquarters could be a bit more difficult to reach over the next week as we move into our new office space within the same community in Brooklyn.  Next week we will provide all the pertinent information, but know that the professional space is larger and well appointed.

We have been at our current location since April of 1989.  Needless to say, in all those years, despite several clean outs, we have accumulated an enormous number of items that are best discarded – a project that has been going on since election day. Our official lease date is Sunday, December 15th.  The office phone number will remain the same. We were thankful to be here over 40 years, but we are glad to be moving onto bigger and better things. We hope you will come by and check it out in the near future. 

If you are having trouble reaching State Headquarters over the next week, simply call me on my cell 917- 834-6118. You can also call our Director of Operations, Andrew Davis, at 845-522-1915.

State Board of Regents Should Leave Girl’s Sports Alone – Press Release 12/2/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
December 2, 2024

State Board of Regents Should Leave Girl’s Sports Alone:
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar
Calls on Governor to Inform Public on Vote

“The unelected New York State Board of Regents may vote as early as next week to end girls-only sports in New York State. The vote, which was postponed after it became a hot button political issue shortly before Election Day, would permanently allow boys to play on girls high school sports teams across the Empire State if there is no corresponding boys team in that sport — volleyball and field hockey teams are common examples. The radical policy enactment would effectively end girls sports as we know it.

“Poll after poll has shown that the public wants traditional, girls-only sports protected in New York, but the gender-bending social engineers in Albany are oddly determined to erase all distinctions between the sexes (good luck with that.) It’s hard to believe we’re even having this conversation, frankly.

“The New York State Conservative Party calls on Governor Hochul to inform the public immediately if the Board of Regents plans to take this issue up at its December 9-10 meetings. The future of girls sports is on the line. The public deserves to know that.”

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Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap Up- Happy Thanksgiving 11/22/24

Happy Thanksgiving

On behalf of the New York State Conservative Party and our members, we wish you a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving. As we gather and prepare the turkey for this holiday, we are reminded of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation, in which he called upon “the American people to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” His words invoked both gratitude for our blessings and a deep spiritual acknowledgment of God’s presence, calling all Americans to unite in thanks.

Some seventy years later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a proclamation establishing the last Thursday in November as our official Thanksgiving Day. This act, while securing a national holiday, also echoed the sentiment that Lincoln first expressed. A day to reflect on our nation’s blessings, regardless of hardship, and to offer thanks. It is a time for us to extend our hands and hearts to those in need. It is a time for warmth and reflection, as we are always striving to do better. 

As the Conservative Party of New York, we have much to be grateful for this year. We stand firm in our commitment to protecting the values that have made America great—faith, family, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. We continue to fight for the principles that have sustained this nation for over two centuries. This year, we are grateful for all our members and supporters. Without you, we would not have an incoming Conservative President and countless down ballot candidates across New York. In addition to earning a  Republican led House, and  Republican majority in the United States Senate. We are immensely proud and thankful to receive over 313,000 votes on our line this year. Again, this could not be done without your steadfast support, and we cannot thank you enough for your efforts. 

This Thanksgiving, let us all take a moment to express gratitude not only for the freedoms we enjoy, but also for the strength we draw from our shared values. Let us remain mindful of the blessings that come with living in a nation where liberty and opportunity is not just a slogan, but a reality. May this spirit of thankfulness extend to our families, our communities, and our nation as a whole. 

God bless you all, and may God continue to bless America.

Governor Hochul Has Broken Faith with New Yorkers on Congestion Pricing Tax Backstab- 11/18/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 18, 2024

Governor Hochul Has Broken Faith with New Yorkers on
Congestion Pricing Tax Backstab: New York State
Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

“New Yorkers no longer trust Governor Kathy Hochul — and why should they? The governor has officially broken faith with New Yorkers by moving forward with a deeply unpopular new tax after cynically ‘pausing’ it right before the 2024 elections. In doing so, Mrs. Hochul has insulted the intelligence and pocketbooks of working- and middle-class New Yorkers who genuinely believed Mrs. Hochul’s controversial tax was gone when they voted less than two weeks ago.

“This tax, which was passed as a budget bill to avoid legislative debate, was never about street congestion or the environment. It will simply shift traffic and pollution to lower-income communities. Indeed, the Congestion Pricing Tax has always and only  been about the constant deficits run by an incompetent and bureaucratically bloated MTA that fails to collect more than $700 million in toll, bus, and subway fares each year. This same MTA, has spent more on consultants for the Second Avenue Subway than on its construction, and New York continues to pay multiple times per track mile than any other city on the planet.

“Governor Hochul just pulled a fast one on New Yorkers. They will never forget it.”

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Chairman Kassar’s Weekly Wrap Up 11/15/24

STEFANIK AND ZELDIN JOINING PRESIDENT TRUMP’S CABINET

New Yorkers should be immensely proud that President Trump has selected Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and former Congressman Lee Zeldin to serve in his Presidential Cabinet. There isn’t anyone more deserving to serve our Country than New York’s best and brightest. 

We are sad to see Elise vacate her Congressional seat, but we know she will have New York, and our Country, at the top of her mind as she navigates her duties as Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is currently a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. Her fight against antisemitism was applauded across both sides of the aisle during the Harvard President House investigation that turned national news. You can read our full press release on Elise here: 

Lee Zeldin has been traveling the Country with President Trump, helping our congressional/down ballot candidates across New York, helped fight against Prop 1, and turned the tide in New York two years ago when he ran for Governor. Ever since then, Lee has been a major resource and idol for conservative activists around the Country. The EPA has vastly overreached under the Biden Administration, reestablishing a regulatory environment that has suppressed billions of dollars of economic growth. Lee Zeldin is the perfect candidate to undo Bidens policy mess and unleash American energy at home. With Lee’s help, America will be energy independent once again. You can read our full press release on Lee here:

Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin have longtime and close relationships with the Conservative Party.  They will both make excellent members of the President’s cabinet representing the interests of the United States, the President, and our conservative philosophy at the United Nations and the EPA.

The President and his transition team are on track to round out our new government quickly, with many fine appointments.  Our nation needs to overcome the many setbacks we experienced during the Biden/Harris years. With control of the Senate and House, the President should have a memorable first one hundred days that will make our Party proud.

To that point we are now at 311,000 votes statewide and growing. However, now is not the time to let up the gas. The Conservative Party will continue to register new voters, spread Trump’s message, and drain the swamp one day at a time! 

NO TO CONGESTION PRICING

Governor Hochul’s scheme to quickly revive congestion pricing is no more than a cynical attempt to get ahead of President Trump’s firm objection to the program before he takes office. She has made clear that she intentionally set the new pricing at $9 to outmaneuver a federal requirement that a new environmental impact study be conducted.  Biden waived a full study, and of course, Trump will not.

Congestion pricing is immensely unpopular. With good reason, being that it is no more than a tax on hard working New Yorkers already overtaxed and over regulated.  

The radical MTA leadership is constantly looking for a cash cow unwilling to deal with systematic problems including hundreds of millions in fare beating, as well as a bloated payroll containing thousands of ultra-high paid bureaucrats, often doing duplicative jobs.

Congressional opposition led by Republicans Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis and Mike Lawler, is bi-partisan, with several high-profile Democrats joining with the GOP.  Remember, almost 70% of New Yorkers disapprove of congestion pricing.

Hochul may get away with turning on the collection devices. If so, I would not be surprised if the Trump Administration, bolstered by solid Congressional support, turns them off upon being sworn into office.

Hochul, often described as one of the worst Governors in modern history, is certainly one of the most unpopular.

FEMA IGNORES TRUMP SUPPORTERS

I never thought I would read such a headline, but it turns out there’s a lot more rot in government than we are aware. There is one thing people can’t control, natural disasters, such as tornados, hurricanes, floods, etc. The way you vote, your ethnicity, race, financial situation, should not matter. Our politicians, and government employees are expected to put their partisanship aside and rise up to the challenge at hand for their fellow citizens. Especially in life-or-death situations. In this case, FEMA completely failed in their mission and ignored homes in Florida with Trump signs/banners. Imagine your home has been completely destroyed, and you are waiting for FEMA or any government assistance, but because of your political beliefs, you can be ignored even in the most dire of situations. 

The FEMA supervisor was fired for her actions but claims this was essentially common practice and she was just following orders. According to Fox News, “The Daily Wire first reported that government employees told the outlet at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags were bypassed from the end of October into November due to “best practices” guidance from Washington. The houses were skipped over by the workers, who wrote messages such as “Trump sign no entry per leadership” in a government system, per the outlet.” In other words, the politics of the homeowners caused the FEMA employees to feel unsafe.

This story obviously brings immense disgust to the Conservative Party and our members, but we were glad to see Governor Ron DeSantis order a full investigation into this madness. After a thorough investigation is done in Florida, it would not surprise me if an investigation continued under the Trump administration. We know the swamp isn’t going to be easy to drain, but we have all the right tools in place to do so in the next 4 years.

Statement on President-elect Trump’s Opposition to Congestion Pricing Tax by New York State Conservative Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 14, 2024

Statement on President-elect Trump’s Opposition to Congestion Pricing Tax by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

“Hardworking New Yorkers should thank President-elect Trump for fighting to protect their wallets when Governor Hochul and her progressive colleagues won’t. Governor Hochul insults the intelligence of New Yorkers by bringing back the controversial Congestion Pricing Tax days after the 2024 elections. Her craven, bait-and-switch scam on voters will be remembered as one of the most nakedly disingenuous political ploys in Empire State history. The 2024 election results were predicated upon the understanding that Mrs. Hochul’s congestion tax was effectively gone. There will be no such misunderstanding in 2026.”

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Statement From NYS Conservative Party on Zeldin Appointment as EPA Head

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 12, 2024

Statement on Zeldin Appointment as EPA Head by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

“Former Congressman Lee Zeldin is an ideal choice for the EPA, an agency in dire need of a clear-headed leader. Congressman Zeldin, a U.S. Army Reserve officer, will serve at the cabinet level, demonstrating the importance of this position to President-elect Trump. The EPA has vastly overreached under the Biden Administration, reestablishing a regulatory environment that has suppressed billions of dollars of economic growth. Congressman Zeldin will strike the right balance between environmental conservation and hysteria. It’s what the American people are demanding.”

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Stefanik Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
Bill@NovemberTeam.com
November 11, 2024

Statement on Stefanik Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations by New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar

“President-elect Trump hit a grand slam homerun in appointing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as the nation’s next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Congresswoman Stefanik is smart, savvy, and fearless in the face of adversity. She will represent American interests at the world body with a tenacity unseen in years. Americans should rest better knowing that Ambassador-elect Stefanik is guarding the gate at Turtle Bay. No wool will be pulled over her eyes.”

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