Pete King's Thoughts & Whereabouts: 8/11 & 8/12

August 11th – Tuesday morning
6:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Manhattan, NY – to NBC studios for “Morning Joe” on MSNBC with Joe Scarborough and Mika Brezinski. Joe was in Congress from 1994-2001 and we had some tough fights – from me calling him a “barefoot hillbilly” to Joe attacking me on my role in Northern Ireland. Through it all, we got along and developed a good friendship. I enjoy going on the show with him and Mika because it is so unorthodox and free wheeling.

This morning I had an 8:15 hit and couldn’t believe it when I looked under the desk and saw that Joe was actually barefooted! That started the segment which went on for about six minutes and covered health care and the tragic crash in the Hudson.

August 12 – Wednesday morning
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Melville, NY – To Huntington Hilton to speak at breakfast meeting of Advancement of Commerce, Industry and Technology (ACIT). Large crowd, more than 300, mostly business people. I discussed a number of issues primarily relating to homeland security and health care. I was supportive of the President on Iraq and Afghanistan, critical on stimulus and health care reform plan. Audience seemed to agree, primarily on health care, preferring a step-by-step approach. (On a personal note, it was great to talk with Islander great Bobby Nystrom.)

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Mineola, NY – To Irish Easter Uprising monument behind the County Court House. Met with old friends Supreme Court Justice Tom Phelan and lawyer Donal Mahoney. Monument is being renovated and restored. Ceremony to be on Sunday afternoon, September 27th. Judge Phelan and Donal are heading up the project.

Thursday, August 13th
Will be out of touch for several days. Will report back to you about it next week.