Professor Tweaks Limbaugh, Gets Laughs at Library

Rush Limbaugh got married again and just came back from his fourth honeymoon. He's a big family values guy. The more families he has, the more he values them.

Those who went to the Syosset Public Library Monday expecting the standard current events lecture got a little more than they bargained for when Hofstra history professor Michael D'Innocenzo showed up.

"I wanted to share information with people that is useful to the community," D'Innocenzo said. "I also like to make my presentations fun."

D'Innocenzo's witty humor brought roaring laughter from the audience. But the former standup comedian is certain he chose the right career path as a professor and guest speaker.

"I liked being a comedian because you can transform from one story to another in a funny way," D'Innocenzo said. "In a lot of ways, I am doing that when I give my presentations at the library."

Once performing comedy acts throughout Long Island, D'Innocenzo became disenchanted after a performance at a Jewish center.

"I was telling jokes to a crowd of older people. My set was two hours long, which in retrospect was too much. The crowd didn't receive me too well," said D'Innocenzo's, whose vagabond career also includes a run for Congress 30 years ago in the Fifth District. 

Beyond the jokes, D'Innocenzo spoke about the dismal financial problems that are affecting many school districts today, including Syosset.

"We are having serious budget problems," he said. "Syosset is a terrific school district but even Syosset, which is one of the better school districts, is affected by the budget. We are living in the times of the broken states of America."

D'Innocenzo hopes these kinds of lectures can make a difference. To that end he chairs the advisory board of the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), which strengthens democratic values by encouraging students to actively participate as knowledgeable citizens in their campus, local, state, national and global communities.

Dorothy DeAngelis, of Syosset loved D'Inncocenzo's presentation.

"I think he is very interesting, funny, affable and charming," she said. "I would come see him again."

She'll have her chance. D'Innocenzo, whose has been giving presentations at the East Meadow Library for the past 40 years,  will be back at the Syosset Public Library on Oct. 15.