The Staten Island Problem - Part 5: Revenge of the Forgotten Borough
Summary
This final episode of The Staten Island Problem links the 1993 secession vote to the rise of populism, arguing that both fueled the election of Rudy Giuliani. Host Ben Nadeff-Haffrey explores how Giuliani’s alliance with Borough President Guy Molinari capitalized on outer-borough resentment, a dynamic mirrored in Donald Trump’s later appeal to "forgotten" places. The narrative draws parallels between the 1992 police riots and the 2021 Capitol attack, illustrating a recurring pattern of political rage. The episode concludes with a visit to the former Fresh Kills landfill and a reimagining of…
Topics discussed
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1993 Election Night: Staten Island votes for secession
The referendum's fate and the rise of Giuliani
Giuliani's background and alliance with Molinari
Giuliani's campaign and 'zero tolerance' promise
The 1992 police protest at City Hall
Giuliani's inflammatory response to the protest
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The psychology of resentment and 'forgotten' places
Giuliani's election and impact on Staten Island
Criticism of Giuliani and the Trump connection
Populism, 'revenge of the places', and 2020 parallels
Sponsors: US Mint, PayPal, and 4imprint
Pilgrimage to Fresh Kills: Landfill to Park
Political theory: Places vs. People
Woody Guthrie's 'Staten Island' lyric story
Credits and final sponsor reads
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