Foes of democracy cannot be trusted
We’ve seen the Jan. 6 committee show how Trump and his team tried to overturn the election he lost, destroy our republic and make America a dictatorship.
They created a Big Lie, and did everything they could to keep Biden from taking office, including inciting a cop-killing insurrection.
But they couldn’t have done this without local Republicans’ help.
Did you know that the Saratoga County GOP helped send busloads last Jan. 6 to help Trump’s attempted coup?
Yet not a single local GOP leader spoke out in opposition.
Tedisco, Walsh, Heggen and Joy are all accomplices to this crime against democracy. Zeldin and Stefanik even voted against certifying Biden’s election.
If they think trying to overturn an election is OK, can we trust them to represent us?
If we lose our democracy, our government will be completely controlled by oligarchs from Moscow to Wall Street, and our families, our communities and our concerns will mean nothing.
That’s why I’m voting for Kathy Hochul, Antonio Delgado, Paul Tonko, Andy McAdoo, Michelle Ostrelich and Michael Phillips. And to send a message that New York should work for us, not billionaire oligarchs, I’ll be voting on the Working Families line.
Joe Seeman
Ballston Spa
Find a place for unwanted clothes
I read “The Morning Briefing” in the Oct. 15 the New York Times website, which had a long discussion about cleaning closets.
Cleaning out closets is so hard to contemplate and initiate. Finally, my front hall closet became so packed that I could find nothing easily. Taking it all out and dumping everything on a nearby bed was my first step.
Next, I put the hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, coats and pants in separate piles. The ‘keepers’ went back into the closet, the questionable on top of a tote, and the unusable into my trash bin.
I located a used clothing box in the new parking lot across from the Niskayuna Co-Op and the ‘wearables’ went there. Success — only two more closets to go.
Bill Poppino
Niskayuna
Santabarbara is a champion for people
During my time as a Schenectady County legislator in the city of Schenectady, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has been a friend and a source of mentorship, guidance and personal leadership for me. What I admire most about Angelo is that he’s a hands-on representative who listens to his constituents and finds ways to solve problems.
He’s all about doing whatever he can to improve quality of life in our upstate communities and his record shows it. He’s delivered time and time again.
Earlier this year, we worked together to get the gas tax suspended at the state and local levels and he continues to find new ways to save our communities money. Whether it’s funding for infrastructure, schools, health care or legislation to help people with disabilities, Angelo is a fighter and a champion for the people he represents.
Richard Ruzzo
Schenectady
The writer is the Schenectady County Legislator for District 1.
Kolbe shows she gets the job done
The November election is less than two weeks away, and I would like you to consider the Montgomery County Clerk race.
Brittany Kolbe has been our county clerk for nearly four years. She has continually demonstrated her ability to get the job done and move our county forward through technology and customer service.
Brittany is dependable, consistent and a leader in her community. She has improved the county clerk’s office and DMV in several areas, such as creating an appointment system, remote online searching of records, and Fast Lane at DMV for quick transactions.
What has impressed the most is that she was able to follow through on the promises she made during a global pandemic and in her first term in office. I believe the right vote on Nov. 8 is Brittany Kolbe for country clerk.
Jay Summerson
Fort Plain
Clear thinkers can only vote for Tonko
Regarding Michael Glenn’s Sept. 28 letter (“Liz Joy will reflect values of district.”), Liz Joy will never reflect my values!
Glenn apparently thinks that we should support cruelty to people whose livelihoods our policies and greed have already destroyed and continuing those policies until the entire planet is uninhabitable.
Any claim that President Biden and Speaker Pelosi are responsible for inflation or crime is a ridiculous lie perpetrated by fascists who wish to take away our rights.
Furthermore, Joy is so narcissistic that she can’t believe anyone would oppose her without being paid to do so. The only clear-thinking response is to cast your vote in support of Paul Tonko.
Joyce M. Cockerham
Schenectady
Judge Versaci is wise and knowledgeable
Judge Vincent Versaci is a proven judge we can trust. I first appeared before Judge Versaci in 2009 while he was a Schenectady City Court judge.
Since that time, as both of our positions have changed, I have continued making regular appearances before him. As Schenectady County Surrogate Court judge, he has regularly presided over complicated legal matters such as the probate of wills, the administration of estates after death, the guardianship of adults, and adoptions. I’ve always found Judge Versaci to be level-headed, compassionate, and fair. He makes both the lawyers and litigants feel welcome in his courtroom, and he decides cases carefully, using the law as his road map and guide.
In addition, Judge Versaci has served as an acting Family Court judge and an acting Supreme Court judge, where he has presided over several difficult cases I’ve handled.
His wisdom and impressive knowledge of the law has enabled him to adapt and serve his community in a variety of unique judicial roles. I believe Judge Versaci will make an excellent Supreme Court judge. I would encourage voters in the town of Glenville, Schenectady County and the entire 4th Judicial District to join me in voting for Judge Vincent Versaci.
Michael Godlewski
Glenville
The writer is a Glenville town councilman.
Ostrelich will support women’s rights
Jim Tedisco has a 40-year record of voting against reproductive rights. I want a state senator, like Michelle Ostrelich, who will stand up for me and women everywhere and who supports the full range of reproductive healthcare.
We cannot continue to go backwards — we must allow women to have a choice and not be forced to continue an unwanted pregnancy or resort to unsafe abortions. In New York, we have those protections in place, but only because we have had a Democratic Legislature and governor who has stood up for us. Michelle Ostrelich will stand up for reproductive access and abortion rights and she has my vote. We’ve been on Tedisco’s team long enough. Time for a positive change.
Katherine Robinson
Niskayuna
Zeldin, Stefanik, Joy show fealty to Trump
To me, certain choices are very simple. The GOP candidate for governor, Lee Zeldin, and congressional candidates Liz Joy and Elise Stefanik all make no bones about the fact they worship at the altar of Donald Trump.
If we did not know that Trump was the biggest liar and huckster when he first ran for president, everyone should now recognize that he presented a clear and present danger to our country and our democracy while in office.
Notwithstanding, Congressman Zeldin voted against certifying Biden’s 2020 election and recently made a pilgrimage to Trump’s New Jersey golf course to secure Trump’s endorsement for governor.
Joy enthusiastically supported Trump’s reelection in losing to Paul Tonko and followed up with a trip to D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, to protest certifying Biden’s election, a day which now lives in infamy.
As to Stefanik, she long ago abandoned any semblance of ethics or principles we believed she possessed. She joined in lock step with the right wing leadership in Congress and was rewarded with the number three position when Liz Cheney was ousted for voting her conscience in supporting the election. Enough said.
Robert K. Corliss
Schenectady
Tedisco no friend of blue collar workers
As a union carpenter, I believe elected officials in Albany should put the interests of working people ahead of the interests of their big corporate donors. That’s why I think it’s time for a change from Sen. James Tedisco.
Time and time again, Sen. Tedisco has failed to show up for blue collar workers. Over the past decade, he has voted against legislation that would require prompt payment of employees on private construction work (2009 worker protection bill); he has repeatedly opposed prevailing wage laws that ensure middle class wages for construction workers (including 2020 public work bill); he voted against a bill cracking down on corrupt contractors that cheat workers out of wages they’ve earned (2021 wage theft bill); and just this year he opposed a bill that would make it harder for those corrupt contractors to escape accountability (2022 contractor registration bill).
Sen. Tedisco loves to show up for ribbon cuttings, but he doesn’t support hard-working men and women when it counts. Blue collar workers in Schenectady County deserve better, which is why I’ll be voting for Michelle Ostrelich for state Senate next month.
Charlie Sgroi
Niskayuna
The writer is a member of Local 291 North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.
Castelli will restore pride and decency
Vote for Matt Castelli. The representative election of the 21st District is very important for democracy and true fullness.
Trump led our country into a period of extreme division, hatred and lies. He led a rebellion that violated the principles on which the country was founded.
Stefanik has abandoned righteousness to support his lies and actions. Voting for Matt Castelli will restore decency, pride, integrity and preserve the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
Thomas Porter
Saratoga Springs
Is Tedisco really nice, and is he effective?
I have known Jim Tedisco for years, in those years I have found him to be a genuine, nice guy. His legislative achievements however are slim to none.
I guess he hands out a few dollars to fire departments and VFW groups; I would imagine any state senator would do that as for helping his district. I really can’t see what he has accomplished in his many years in the Legislature. However, as I said he is a nice guy, and many people vote for nice guys. Recently I’ve begun to wonder about the nice guy label. I wish I could decide if he is a nice guy or not? Perhaps I’ll ask Daphne Jordan to help me decide.
Joseph Kaczynski
Schenectady
GOP dreams are the public’s nightmares
Republican dreams:
Firearms carried by anyone anywhere; establish Christianity as the American religion; almost total ban on abortions; ending all but “normal” marriages; using every last ounce of fossils fuels; selling off public lands and parks; control of school curricula; removing environmental regulations; allowing police unlimited powers; intimidate or remove election officials; restrict voting places and times; contest lost elections as “rigged;” sunset Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid payments; stop federal money going to disaster relief, infrastructure repair, and Amtrak; pack the Supreme Court; reduce taxes on the 1%; allow wannabe dictator Trump to operate unfettered; support attempted coup (Elise and Liz Joy); bring fracking into New York; deregulate banks; interfere with public health measures against pandemics; offer no concrete solutions to inflation, immigration, or crime.
If that sounds more like Conservative policy, yes it is. Alas, the Grand Old Party has been hijacked by the billionaires who detest government regulations and “socialism” interfering with their greed.
They don’t care about us. Their dreams are our nightmares. Please use your precious voting power to make them go away.
Bill Shaw
Ballston Spa
Tedisco has gone too far to stay in Senate
This letter is in support of Michelle Ostrelich. Throughout my years of voting, I have always tried to choose the best candidate, regardless of their party.
I have voted for Jim Tedisco because I always felt he would work with both sides of the aisle and listen to his constituents. However, Sen. Tedisco’s support of Elise Stefanik was a step too far.
The fact that he chooses to align himself with a 45 supporter who espouses the Big Lie and wants women to have no control over their body just goes against everything I stand for. Please, please, for the sake of democracy in this country, vote for Michelle and let Sen. Tedisco know he crossed the line into the dark side.
Barbara J. Kerr
Schenectady
Question McGuirl’s aptitude for judge
On Nov. 8, the voters in the city of Schenectady will vote for a city court judge. The candidates are Mr. Healy and Ms. McGuirl.
In The Gazette article (“Board nullifies ViaPort lease deal”) on Aug. 5 concerning the contract with Via Port, current Rotterdam Town Councilman Christou stated, he relied on the town attorney, “Kate Mc Guirl, whom he accused of misleading him.” He went on to say, “A challenge as a part-time government official is that you rely on your full-time six figure employees to be doing the right thing for you.”
I had a similar situation in 2012 regarding the tax agreement with the GE Co. As a council member, I was not given the agreement until the hour before the vote. On several occasions I had asked Ms. McGuirl about it, and she implied she had no knowledge of it. Months later, I found documentation that she knew about it. Under attorney-client privilege, she was required to give me the information. I do not know Mr. Healy, but I do know Ms. McGuirl.
On Nov. 8, ask yourself which candidate has the best aptitude and attitude.
Robert Godlewski
Schenectady
The writer is a former Rotterdam council member.
Muller shows no favoritism as judge
For those of your readers who may wonder what it takes for a Supreme Court judge seeking re-election to be nominated by both the Democratic Party and the Conservative Party, I’d like to offer my insight into the qualifications of Supreme Court Judge Robert Muller.
When Robert Muller was a trial attorney decades ago, I had the opportunity to represent clients where he represented the opposing side. Attorney Muller was tenacious, but also an ethical, trial attorney. He certainly knows his way around the courtroom. For this reason, not only attorneys who are members of all political parties, but also a multitude of organizations, have stepped forward to publicly support his re-election as Supreme Court Justice covering eleven local counties.
Who you are or what organization you represent means nothing to Judge Muller when it comes to guaranteeing a fair and competent resolution of any dispute in which you may be involved. I truly believe that our community would be best served by retaining Judge Muller on the bench. Hopefully, you will consider his background and experience by joining me to vote for his re-election on Nov. 8.
William Nikas
Hudson Falls
Check the facts, then support Ostrelich
I am responding to the Oct. 20 Gazette front page article (“Schenectady County Dems file ethics complaint”) regarding a complaint by the Schenectady County Democratic Committee against the Kennedy Project, a political group of anonymous individuals funded by unknown sources.
This group has disseminated on social media blatant lies and distortions about Michelle Ostrelich, the Democratic candidate for New York Senate in the 44th District.
I encourage voters to either ignore political accusations coming from anonymous sources or to thoroughly check the facts before believing any of them. I can verify from personal experience on the Schenectady Coalition for Healthcare Access that Michelle has worked diligently and openly to maintain access to reproductive and gender-related health care for all citizens of Schenectady County, focusing especially on those who would have difficulty traveling to Albany Medical Center if these services become unavailable due to Ellis Medicine merging with St. Peter’s Hospital.
Any suggestion that Michelle supports abortion bans is absurd.
However Jim Tedisco twice voted against the Reproductive Health Act; this is public information for anyone who wants to check the facts. Voters who consider this to be an important issue have a clear choice.
Paul Dworkin, MD
Niskayuna
Santabarbara always there for Rotterdam
As a past member of the Rotterdam Town Board and now as town clerk, over the years, I’ve worked with many people, and know great partners for our town when I see them. I’m proud to say Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is one of them.
Anyone who lives in Rotterdam knows that Angelo is always there for us. He’s delivered important funding to support our sheriff, police and fire departments, consistently supported our schools, and made needed investments in our roads and bridges.
Angelo is a husband and a father, and he’s delivered real results that’s helping families keep more of their hard-earned money.
Among them, he passed a bill to remove state taxes on gasoline and delivered property tax rebate checks for homeowners in our town. And when it comes to helping those with disabilities, he’s a champion. He’s authored and passed important legislation that helps kids with special needs and supports people with disabilities.
Most importantly, wherever you see Angelo in our community, whether it’s at the grocery store or at a town event, he always makes time for us. He cares about his hometown of Rotterdam. That’s why I’m happy to endorse Angelo Santabarbara’s re-election as Rotterdam’s assemblyman.
Diane Marco
Rotterdam
Vote in anyone other than Elise Stefanik
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives once said, “All politics are local.” Consequently we cannot change what they do in Texas or California, but we do have a say here in New York.
Elise Stefanik has shown she should not represent any American who supports and defends our Constitution. This is due to her association with Donald Trump, her vote to reject the 2020 election and her support for the Jan. 6 rioters.
There are many excellent candidates. Vote for any other candidate such as Matt Castelli or write-in state Sen. Jim Tedisco, former Congressman Chris Gibson or even Assemblywoman Marybeth Walsh. These are honest, dedicated and accomplished Americans who would represent us far better than those who would destroy our democracy and country.
John Van Patten
Glenville
Kupferman has best attributes of a judge
As a retired Supreme Court Justice and former colleague of Judge Richard Kupferman, I make my recommendation to vote for him for state Supreme Court justice without reservation. Judge Kupferman has the proven attributes to be an excellent Supreme Court justice.
He has served as a judge in the Surrogate Court for over 10 years and as an acting Supreme Court justice for over eight years. He has 30-plus years of varied legal experience. Judge Kupferman has a track record of applying the law fairly with a dose of common sense.
As an acting Supreme Court justice, he has demonstrated knowledge, compassion and dedication as he addressed the needs of all who appear before him. He issues timely and clearly written decisions.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Kupferman was the judge I asked to cover my chambers when I was unavailable. Please cast your vote for Judge Kupferman on Nov. 8.
Ann C. Crowell, J.S.C. (retired)
Gansevoort
For better supervisor candidates, raise pay
I’m proud that I voted for Supervisor Jaime Puccioni. As soon as she took office, she started to assert her independence.
She worked quickly to remove politics from Town Hall. Puccioni solved a pension issue in the police department that was kicked around like a political football for over a decade. She hired a professional outside human resources firm.
She standardized processes from how summer employees are hired and paid to ensuring that all of the town’s sports programs are treated the same. She is a leader, and she takes action.
I didn’t know that the town supervisor is paid only $53,800 until recently, and then I thought I had heard it wrong. This means that she earns half the salary (or less) of the department heads she manages.
Puccioni is paid the same $53,800 as Luke Smith, who had her job nearly 20 years ago. It’s curious that these comparisons aren’t the ones being publicized.
Keeping the salary of the supervisor artificially low controls who takes the job. I like independent people, and I agree with Puccioni that the salary has been kept artificially low to exclude most people from being able to consider the job. I hope Puccioni runs and wins again, but if you want the next supervisor to be qualified and independent, raise the salary substantially.
Erin Cassady-Dorion
Niskayuna
Ostrelich supports responsible gun laws
Nine days after a teenager killed 19 students and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, and fewer than three weeks after another 18-year-old New Yorker killed 10 Black people in a racially motivated shooting in Buffalo, Jim Tedisco voted against three common-sense bills that could keep New Yorker’s safe from gun violence: (1) expanding the red flag law relating to potentially violent individuals; (2) prohibiting civilian purchase of bullet-resistant vests; and (3) requiring a license for the possession of semi-automatic firearm.
He cast these votes just a year after voting against increasing potential liability for gun manufacturers, even if the firearm was harmfully misused. He voted no to prohibiting domestic abusers from purchasing firearms, to firearm buyback programs, and to prohibiting ghost guns.
It is no surprise that he receives an “A” rating from the NRA.
Voting against gun violence prevention measures like these is not just out of touch; it’s reckless. Tedisco’s challenger, Schenectady County Legislator Michelle Ostrelich, is no stranger to the impact of gun violence in our communities.
As a responsible gun owner, Michelle is also intimately familiar with the obligations that entails.
Albany needs her informed, common sense leadership in the Senate.
Sarah Rogerson
Niskayuna
Reject Mastroianni’s conspiracies, secrecy
Who is politician Joe Mastroianni? From what I can see he has almost no experience. He just ran for a 4-year term on the Rotterdam Town Board, and after only a few months on the job he decides he’s now running for state Assembly? Is he committed to serving the voters or himself?
The little we do know about him shows he believes George W. Bush was somehow responsible for an inside job on 9/11. As they often say in Seinfeld, “That’s Kooky talk.” A 9/11 conspiracy theorist is not what we need in these trying times.
And as if that’s not bad enough, I saw how “Water Meter Joe” voted no on holding an open and transparent public hearing on the secret water meter/tax plan they were cooking up in Rotterdam this past summer. He did, however, vote yes to hire his political ally and running mate for a high-paying, phony job at town hall as “COVID Compliance Officer.” He also voted for the town to borrow another $34 million. I don’t like his out-of-control spending or his wacky conspiracies.
Gerard Parisi
Schenectady
Look very closely at Stefanik’s bad record
Elise Stefanik boasts that she supports a lot of citizens’ issues, but here is the truth on her voting record:
Stefanik voted no on women’s reproductive freedom; she voted no on repairing roads and bridges; Stefanik voted no on lowering insulin prices; Stefanik voted no on Veteran’s Burn Pit Healthcare.
Remember this — Stefanik is Donald Trump’s favorite lackey. She did support the Jan. 6 insurrectionists.
Joe DeMarco
Jay
Santabarbara a vital education supporter
I write to commend Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara for his unwavering commitment to public education.
As teachers, fully funding Foundation Aid has been something we’ve fought to do for years and I’m so happy to see that we’re finally made it across the finish line with his help and partnership.
This funding is an investment in the future of public education, serving as the foundation to build upon as we strengthen public schools.
I’m also pleased to see that, once again, he is the only candidate for the 111th state Assembly District to carry the New York State Teachers endorsement, and that means something.
Now after years of taking on the many new academic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our students, staff and teachers, we need representatives like Mr. Santabarbara more than ever before.
As both a parent and a legislator, Angelo has always served as an unwavering voice at our State Capital to strengthen public education, so our children have the tools and support they need to reach their full potential.
Mike Silvestri
Rensselaer
The writer is the Schenectady Federation of Teachers President.
Stefanik shows colors as Trump supporter
How many witch hunts are Americans going to tolerate, and I believe that once again Elise Stefanik has shown her true colors.
For the time being, let’s put aside the lying, the cheating, the narcissism, the racism, the bigotry, the paying of porn stars, the double impeachment, the abysmal response to covid and the climate denial, etc.
What’s really scary is Jeanine Pirro, who so blatantly supports an obvious criminal like Donald Trump, and she’s a judge. My greatest hopes are, number one, people are finally starting to realize what a disgraceful character that Trump is. Number two is that if and when I commit my first felony, people are as forgiving of me as they are of Trump.
Mark Barkyoumb Sr.
Grenville
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Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion, Opinion, Rotterdam, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Scotia Glenville, Your Niskayuna
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Foes of Democracy: Interesting choice of words.He seems to fail to call out the Hunter Biden laptop that connects the big guy with the CCP and Ukraine oligarchs. Also talking about billionaire Oligarchs funny how they seem to forget that includes the elite democrats as well Pelosi, Schummer, Obama, Clintons, Soros. They use Trump as a trigger word he is not running for any office right now. Trump holds rallies telling people how things could be if they elect the right people to office. So why are they so fixated on Trump? Or could it be that the public is now seeing the idealogical derangement of the left. here are just a few: Defund police, allowing young children to have gender modification, drag queens story time in schools,ANTIFA riots and no charges against the mobs that burned down entire cities or that took over police stations, and the list goes on. Now on the state level, Houchal play to pay , doing nothing laws violating constitutional rights, and all the other typical NY corruption politics. All people have to do is ask the question, are you safer now with reduction in police force and funding? Can you afford to heat your home, feed your family, just enjoy the fruits of your labors? I think the democrats have lost their party to the far left radicals that despise the constitution that our country and values are based upon. I find ironic when HRC cried foul during her run for president. But when the right says hey wait a minute something is not right here they are extremist.
I for one do not vote party lines, if a person is running for reelection what is their record for representing the interest of the people. If you want to change the current political landscape and put people into place to make you hometown, state and country a safer , economically friendly and energy self sufficient. Then vote for the candidates that are willing to do that.
Great letters today not much more of a response needed!
Trump is a man who faces a mountain of evidence that he committed a number of serious felonies and continues to play a corrupting role in our politics. By “the right people for office”, Trump means those who accept the Big Lie.
No one is trying to eliminate the police, as the 1/6 mob seemed to be attempting to do. Defund the
police is a poorly worded phrase. It means redirect some police funding to social services, notably support of mental health as a more effective way to fight crime.
There are children born with ambiguous gender identity. This is a medical issue and should be handled by families with compassionate expert medical assistance. Most Americans do not agree with Oz, who feels “local politicians” should have a say in whether or not a woman can have an abortion or, perhaps, other personal medical choice.
Drag Queens” telling stories”, if not stigmatized and discriminated against, are people telling stories to children. To look at it any other way would suggest deep seated hatred for those who do not conform to a right wing view of correct human sexuality and expression. In other words, your hatred and disgust is the problem, not those reading stories to children. These children do not have your prejudices in mind, but, unfortunately, many will learn them as they grow older.
Name an “entire city” that Antifa burned down. I can name a Capitol building vandalized by a Trump incited mob as they screamed threats to kill VP Pence, Nancy Pelosi, and others who stood for certifying the clearly accurate slates of electors that would remove Trump from office.
As has been said so many times, but bears repeating again, inflation is a global issue, worse in most countries than in the U.S. The Democratic Party has offered and is offering legislation to keep medical costs under control, from Medicare, to the ACA, to calls for allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. We never found out any details, not one, of Trump’s medical plan to supplant the ACA. He said he
had a far better plan but once in office we heard no more about it. Democrats want government to encourage the develop and use of green renewable energy which is the only way to really fight energy cost inflation and protect our future. The FED is raising interest rates to fight inflation.
I do agree with the last phrase in the letter from the poster who chose the name Letsgobrandon, an unfortunate euphemism offered by the advocates of book banning on the right for F— Joe Biden:
“…if a person is running for reelection what is their record for representing the interest of the people. If you want to change the current political landscape and put people in place to make your hometown, state and county a safer, economically friendly and energy self sufficient. Then vote for the candidates that are willing to do that.”
Those candidates are the ones who accept the results of our free and fair elections and stand against corrupt authoritarians who want control over government to further the interests of the fascist global elites represented by politicians like Orban, Putin, and yes, our very own con man Donald J. Trump.
There were many important letters to the editor this morning. Joe Seeman in “Foes of democracy” argues convincingly about the role of local members of the GOP in Trump’s attempts to corrupt our democracy and to replace it with an authoritarian dictatorship with him at the helm.
Bill Shaw ,in his detailed but concise letter, fully justifies the title of his submission: “GOP dreams are the public’s nightmare.”
Other letters offer convincing evidence to support their election choices, those candidates who refuse to support or participate in Trump’s Big Lie, a dagger pointed at the heart of our democracy. Please put all political prejudices aside and vote your conscience, vote based on facts and truth, vote for democracy and against autocracy and corruption.
Anthony Santos the hammer attack on Mr pelosi should open some eyes before voting occurs. I would think a hammer would scare the reality back into some people. its a continuation of Jan 6th but im betting somebody getting their head bashed in by a peaceful protestorwith a hammer might not be so forgiving. think about it
“letsgobrandon”……As soon as I saw your screen name ….I quit reading your comment…From experience the last 7 years. I know it will be filled with Trump falsehoods and false equivalencies. Remember, repeating what Trump tells you doesn’t make it true. Have a nice day and I hope one day you can reclaim what Trump took from you ……your dignity and critical thinking …My best wishes for you and your family
lol we call that a swing and a wiff but the bubba tried!
Gerard Parisi The newest Covid compliance officer makes about $2000 per year which is less than $40 a week. The previous Covid officer who was a Democrat by the way made $9500 a year in stipends. The water meter issue was set in place by the previous administration which by the way were all Democrats. There’s not a single bit of truth in your letter, not one.
letsgobrandon, you are 100% correct, what the democrats, and I use that term lightly don’t understand is that people are not stupid. People saw Trump impeached twice for things far less important than the Bidens. Biden said the other day that he lowered gas prices from $5.15 cents when he took office to $3.34 today. The day he took office the gas prices were $2.27, and today after a high of $5.15 are about $3.76 per gallon. Why doesn’t the mainstream media call him out on his constant and daily lies? It’s not a Putin price hike it’s a Biden price hike, prices have been going up since day one of his being in office. Biden came into office on January 7, 2021, Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Fox News may have a conservative spin but it does tell the truth. My grandson is 10, he still believes in Santa and the Easter Bunny, he can’t walk to school alone, and he can’t run the streets alone yet according to these whackos he is mature enough to change his gender. As far as Drag Queen story hour` in what universe is it alright for scantily dressed men full of makeup with either real or artificial breasts ok to read stories and flaunt their twisted sexuality in front of little kids
I believe the sickness is more in the twisted, perverted, brainwashed minds of the alarmists who can’t stand anything but total allegiance to and acceptance of their worldview. The fact that you need to make things up and exaggerate to make your view frightening belies its false nature.
You are lying about “scantily dressed Drag Queens” flaunting “their twisted sexuality in front of kids.” What school would allow that? They are reading to them. The kids are not hurt by them. Read about Jim Jordan looking the other way as many members of the wrestling team he coached were molested by the team doctor. Read about the conservative House Speaker Dennis Hastert who left Congress for prison when it was found that he used his position as a high school wrestling coach to molest children. That is hurting kids.
What Trump did was far worse than anything Hunter Biden did. He has endangered our national security with his wanton disregard for laws governing the handling and storage of top secret government documents. He attempted to stay in office illegally and violently. He is a con man and you are seemingly willfully ignorant of his true nature and goals.
As to gas prices. Go back and read posts concerning what causes high gas prices. Biden has been corrected for his mistaken statement concerning gas prices. But do you really believe that mistake, which he does not repeat at all, much less ad nauseum, is as dangerous as Trump’s Big Lie? Really?
Anthony they use the Trump line “I heard it somewhere” or I read it somewhere”…I see these peoples post and am tired of reading the same lies they repeat …Another of Trump’s tactics is Repeat the lie enough times and they will eventually believe it ….The person above you here already question the 911 call at Pelosi’s home as something nefarious …I’m willing to bet that continue with that even though it’s been proven ” the wellness check” they speak of was confirmed that it was a no response from the caller …Mr Pelosi laid the phone down because he called secretly. I really don’t know how these trumpsters live with themselves
It is rumored that Trump studied the speeches and tactics of Adolf Hitler and one of Hitler’s propaganda tools was based on the fact that a lie repeated often enough registers as truth to far too many people.
Anthony you are correct. His wife reported he kept a copy of mein kampf in his beside table of course she also stated he never read it I guess were lucky Fox never made it into a movie. Putin an Adolf and Kim and Xi wonder who got the biggest trove of classifed docs?
Bob, thanks for the very interesting information.
Thank god there wasn’t a Classics Illustrated version.
Bill. Anthony’s game is everything he says is 100% correct and anything u say is 100% false. Same with the other liberal propagandists on this page. Imagine these propagandists at the Thanksgiving table? Booooorrriiinggg! We have an election coming up and the American people will decide whether they want to continue down this path that Biden leads. His Trump bashing is old and stale, it’s all he talks about. If you dont believe me, go back and read these daily diatribes. Trump lives in his head, its the last thing he sees when his head hits the pillow. The polls show that Trump isnt high on the concerns of the American people. They’re more concerned with everyday costs, health care, immigration, crime, yet the radical left could care less. Trump is bad, its all they know. Whatever happened to the tolerant anti war left? They’ve been highjacked by the radical war mongers some who comment in here daily. Love Trumps Hate remember? Or was that another crock from the lefties?
Mr. Flynn I wouldn’t say everything you comment is 100% false….I would put you at the 85-95% range. But you see when you fill your posts with mostly unsubstantiated claims they dim the light on your factual information. The 1st step is to reclaim your dignity….something you gave up way to easily for Trump. When you do that you will find that people will take you more seriously . It’s a beautiful sunny fall day go outside and feel the cool breeze on your face and think about your life before Trump entered your world. Peace be with you.
I could care less bud, who are you?
I imagine a person who cares about others and bases his beliefs on facts, authentic documents and actual events and verifiable statements, in other words evidence. He doesn’t lie and make things up the way MAGA people do in order to support what they want to believe.
Steve, I know I have been posting here for at least eight years and it’s all the same thing. What is ironic is that liberals use to call our soldiers baby killers now they are fighting to kill babies. It’s like the school districts are saying no Halloween masks, they don’t see the irony of that since they forced kids for almost two years to wear masks.
Ignorance is bad; willful ignorance is far worse. You know nothing about me outside of my political views. As I recently proved, I post about many issues facing us; Trump is the main topic because he and his willfully ignorant followers, who will accept only their own definition of what America means and stands for, constitute the major threat to Americans, indeed the world. Don’t you realize that programs to aid average Americans, programs like Medicare and Social Security, will be cut by this elite should they achieve power? The money will be used to fund tax cuts for billionaires. They have proven they have no better plan than the ACA to provide health care to Americans, though Trump during the 2016 campaign claimed to have such a plan. How can you not get it? I have posted views on gun control, climate change, inflation and many other issues. I know you didn’t miss them because you commented on them. Why do you feel the need to continue lying about my posts? Can you answer that one?
Mr. Flynn of course I believe everything I say is true. Do you believe everything you say is true? Apparently not.
Steve, of course, to most of the people you support losing the election is an impossible outcome as they know they will win. If they don’t win the election it must have been rigged against them. They know, evidence be damned. It’s simple, in your world your side can’t lose! That is why you and the entire Qanon MAGA movement is so dangerous to the rest of us, the OUTSPOKEN MAJORITY!
“…when a liberal newspaper supports a Trump republican for Congress…”
What in the world is the Daily Gazette thinking endorsing Elise Stefanik? Is this some kind of ploy to sell papers by doing something as outrageous as this? Is there a punch line waiting in the wings?
The sins of Stefanik transcend any political leanings. If the DG had chosen another “conservative” candidate and providing a sound rationale I would’ve winced but tried to see their points. But in this case, no amount of ‘bringing home the bacon’ makes up for Mommy’s night job as an insurrection enabler and seditionist.
MAGAs will, as already seen, blubber about a ‘liberal paper endorsing a Trump Republican’ and think this is some kind of “win”, which is to be expected from the group who can only see the world in black and white and doesn’t count critical thinking as a trait. If we’re to take the events surrounding January 6th, and the prosecution of a man who tried, and is still trying to undermine our Constitution seriously, endorsing this sad person is a tragic mistake.
Or is it, DG? Maybe you just don’t see the gravity of the situation? I can assure you you’re in the minority. Maybe you owe your readership a better explanation than the pithy statements you made in the endorsement. You’ve effectively advocated for a faction and a movement that has yet to, but will, see how justice works in America for trying to wreak havoc against this country.
This is about respect for law and order and endorsing politicians we can be confident will also respect that. The Daily Gazette owes us an explanation why that took a back seat.
Chuck, The DG chose the best person for the job. Just because you believe that about Stefanic does not mean everyone does, actually most people know better.
Everything ChuckD said is true. Stefanik does support Trump’s Big Lie. From NCPR:
“North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik continues to support Trump, validate his conspiracy theories, and cast doubt over America’s electoral process — a political move that helped catapult her to national prominence and won her a top leadership position in her party.
We’ve been working to document and fact-check Stefanik’s statements about voting and elections, many of which have proved to be misleading or untrue.”
I agree that a candidate with these views is unfit for a seat in Congress, period.
There is such a thing as objective truth.
Facts are facts, Bill, no matter how hard you jam your fists into your eyes to shut them out. Thankfully we have the courts to reveal those facts, and they are. You’re in complete denial if you can’t accept the hundreds now convicted, of the four Proud Boys who plead guilty to sedition who will now turn on their leader, the 60+ courts who rejected your bizarre excuses for Trump’s loss. The retraction of the “2000 Mules” tome by it’s publisher over factual errors.
And complete denial that you’re a tool for the likes of Stefanik.
Facts are facts, you’re part of a seditionist movement and NOT for law and order, much as you display your hypocritical cop boot-licking here on these pages and your “religion” on your sleeve. Elise Stefanik welcomes your support.
The Daily Gazette owes you nothing. Its quite simple, you dont like it dont read it. I read the TU, they endorsed Hochul, do they owe me an explanation? Hell no they dont.
Facts are facts, and you’re in denial.
And?
What is the fact that Im denying? Is it that the DG owes you nothing? You’re just ticked that they endorsed someone you loath, its pretty easy to see that. You’re one reader out of how many? I think theyll be fine if you boycott them, that is what you lefties do when you dont get your way.
You are in denial of the now well documented criminal and traitorous behavior of Donald Trump, and how Elise Stefanik is an accessory to that. And trying to make this about me won’t work, and neither will trying to get your tired game of Whack-a-Mole going. Do not lecture us on ‘not getting our way’. Nothing lays out the meaning of crybaby like what we saw surrounding January 6th.
Nothing else needs to be said to you people (but we will continue to correct your lies and distortions). You are in denial and your intentions are obvious.
Yet here you are crying again – go figure.
Your so called facts are in your eyes only and probably the other propagandists. The rest of us see a group of older men, who are miserable as all hell, on here daily trying to discredit the other side. You’re very transparent, Ill give you that.
Mr. Flynn, ChuckD’s facts are facts grounded in reality and well documented. Your “alternative facts” are denials of the truth. You accept as true whatever re-inforces what you want to believe.
Why am I not surprised that you would say that? You love propaganda, its who you are. Is this where u default to Trump?
Not only that, I think your full of it. All you do is recite propaganda that you read somewhere and in your leftie world thats fact. Just because you come off as this teller of all truths doesnt mean you’re telling the truth. Hey, if it works for u then roll with it, but dont expect us all to believe it.
It is impossible to intelligently discuss topics with a man who refuses to accept that verified facts exist. There was an insurrection on 1/6. Trump did incite it, in fact, wanted to join it. He did nothing about it while his own VP’s life was threatened. There is voluminous testimony by eyewitnesses to his behavior, people who once supported him, and audio-visual real time verification often corroborates witness testimony.
Please. Mr. Flynn, I mean this. Give me evidence that I am mistaken. Not your opinion but the testimony of eyewitnesses and audio video footage in real time that shows I am wrong.
Do that, please. I will then correct course. I will say I was wrong and you were right.
You’ve made that same point time and time again, WE GET IT already. You wont vote for Trump or anyone who supports him, we get that too. Trump is bad, we get that too. Anyone who supports Repubs are MAGA and traitors, we get that too. Did they establish if the whacko who attacked Paul Pelosi is a MAGA fascist? You seemed very eager to establish that narrative before any of the facts came out. What if he lived in a bus that had BLM signs and the Rainbow flag hanging from it, would he still be a MAGA fascist? What if he was a homeless conspiracy theorist drug addict, would he still be a MAGA fascist? Ever think it might be a west coast homeless problem or maybe a mental health problem? Nope, he has to be a MAGA fascist according to you. And then you wonder y the rhetoric is so bad, yeah ok.
You again twist my words, but I am not surprised. I said it was likely, as proved to be the case, that a MAGA oriented individual attacked Mr. Pelosi. I wasn’t “very eager to establish that narrative before any facts came out.” I had my opinion, which I indicated was an opinion (I said Likely, get it?), you had yours. I think the FACT he was saying “Where’s Nancy” when he came in is good evidence that he had the same goal as the 1/6 insurrectionists, to kill politicians who stand in their way.
Your “What if…?” narratives do not warrant a rebuttal since they are such meaningless attempts to prove an impossible point.
Apparently I haven’t yet made my point concerning how dangerous the only EX-PRESIDENT in history to refuse to co-operate in the peaceful transfer of power, a man who mishandled sensitive top-secret documents, a bigot, a boorish misanthropic misogynist, a liar, a con man, a tax cheat, draft evader, and a megalomaniacal narcissist is to our democratic republic. I could add more but let’f face it, ya luv da guy!
Gerard Parisi one more thing, Joe Mastriani did not ever say 9/11 did not happen, what he said is that the government is not telling us everything. Why was the Bin Laden family rushed by private jet to a secret meeting in Nevada and then jetted back to the Middle East when there was a full ground stop in the U.S. for planes? Why did Judicial Watch have to sue the government for this information? There are hundreds of family members or more suing the government for the same thing Joe Mastriani is saying. Lies are all I hear from Democrats, plain bald-faced lies.
You sad man. Let me be apparently the first to inform you that the tragic events of September 11, 2001 occurred under a Republican administration. The worst terrorist attack in US history, against the financial center of America and the military center of intelligence for the United States, under a Republican Administration.
Then the scam that administration pulled to fool every one into believing it was a good idea to launch two separate wars simultaneously against one country having nothing to do with the attack, with no budget, with no exit plan.
And you foolishly try to make that a Democratic issue? I guess you have the right to deny any of that and believe it’s a Democratic issue, but then you also have the right to look like the bum on the street corner ranting about the end of the world.
I never said it was a democrat and I’m also on record for not voting for Bush either time. I’m also not in agreement with those wars where my children went and fought. So what is your point Chuck?
Please. Here in the public arena we’re not as stupid as those in your bubble of head-nodders.
After your little litany of 9/11 issues you tack on your lame ‘Democrat lies’ exclamation point. Who classified all that information in the first place? Democrats?
Sheesh.
You mean the soldiers that Trump called “chumps” for serving their country? Or Trump calling McCain a loser for being captured in Vietnam ? Were your children in that same army? You look for conspiracies on 911 where there is none. You need to take a rest from social media before the fires of the internet consume you
First, that story about Trump was debunked by an anti-Trumper named John Bolton who was in the room that day. So you are telling me that the government released everything about 9/11? How do you know that the 1000s of family members suing the government don’t? Again, why did Judicial watch have to sue the government to get the truth about them getting the Bin Laden family out? Tell me please since you know so much about 9/11.
911 was a terrorist attack on our country ….Which the Saudis were behind. Don’t you think if it was anything more Trump the fool that he is would have leaked it by now? When he was president he could have declassified anything he wanted…Think about that…And nothing was debunked ….Trump was a draft dodger. He made fun of McCain and Gold Star families. You use the honor of your children defending our nation as a political tool when it suits you. And say nothing when Trump dishonors the brave men of the military and their families.
What is the “GUVMINT” not telling us?
The rest of the post, conspiracy based nonsense.
Why must the MAGA people constantly charge Democrats with committing the same violations, crimes, and misconduct as their clay-footed heroes? Most of the MAGA charges involve exaggeration, as in the cases of Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton or outright insane lies, as in the case of Pizzagate, or the belief that Democratic elites are secret child traffickers and cannibals and that Trump is god’s “chosen one” to defeat these pagan hordes. People who believe in conspiracies spun by Qanon and the likes of Alex Jones need to visit a health care professional for their own good and the good of the nation.
Sorry, this is meant as a response to Bill Marinic’s 3rd post today.
Anthony, If Trump had done what the Biden administration has done he would be in prison for the rest of his life. Only a fool believed pizzagate. Nobody is exaggerating anything about Hunter, once we have control of Congress you will see that. Google Judicial Watches FOIL against the government about the Bin Laden family, BTW SNOPES called it untrue yet here we are with the government releasing the documents. Also, why is the government fighting so hard to keep the photos of the dead Osama secret? Don’t you want proof that he is really dead? I know I do and so do the family of the 9/11 victims.
Is the earth flat too?
Yes, it is where I walk unless I’m walking uphill or downhill also it depends on the terrain. What about you Guy, is the Earth flat where you are?
That explains a lot.
As ChuckD said first, WOW! you are sad!
You really do live in a world of your own making. A world most posters on this site are trying to stop from becoming our reality.
BTW, apparently there are a lot of fools in the MAGA movement, including Trump who frequently wears a Qanon pin on his lapel. Many MAGA Representatives are Qanon believers. It was from Qanon’s lies about Democratic elitist cannibals trafficking in and eating children from which Pizzagate arose. Were you aware of that, also, of the fact that many of the dangerous Trump zombies who attacked the Capitol on his orders are Qanon believers? Well, are you?
This was in response to BM’s statement that “Only a fool believed pizzagate.”
Are the gullible ready to believe even these lies?:
GOP NH Senate Nominee Repeats “Litter Boxes” Claim: Kids Are “Hissing And Licking Themselves Like Cats”
October 29, 2022 Republicans, Trump cultists
“Guess what? We have furries and fuzzies in classrooms. They lick themselves, they’re cats. When they don’t like something, they hiss – people walk down the hallway and jump out.
“And get this, get this. They’re putting litter boxes, right? Litter boxes for that. These are the same people that are concerned about spreading germs.
“Yet they let children lick themselves and then touch everything. And they’re starting to lick each other.
“I wish I was making it up. I honestly wish it was a ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit.” – GOP New Hampshire Senate nominee Don Bolduc, speaking to supporters this week.
As you can see in the video below, Dolduc repeated his claim on the far-right Real America’s Voice network.
Bolduc is a retired US Army brigadier general.
You can see the video of this fool telling obvious lies by going to Joe.My.God and scrolling down until you find it. But WARNING to sensitive posters: This site presents a progressive LGBTQ view of the issues. The opinions are fact based and often accompanied by videotape evidence, but I know how repulsed by people of a different sexual orientation some people are, hence the WARNING.
I have voted, and I hope all my like-minded friends of all political viewpoints do as well.
I’m told there are special voting locations and dates for the Trump supporters to ensure their votes are secure. Those are to be announced and will likely be at a Walmart or gun shop near you.
I don’t know if it’s true, but many are telling me this. So stay tuned for further instructions.
ChuckD, What have you done? Swarms of Trump supporters will inundate Walmarts and gun shops near them. I don’t know why they bother voting. Their favored candidates will announce victory regardless of the count. True believers in democracy, are these legions of the woefully uninformed. If they win this November 8th I will be very afraid. Not for my elderly self, but for those who have a longer time to live.
Thank you.. thank you very much. It amazes me how Trump rents so much space in your heads. I guess Election Day will show how the population is leaning. Let the peoples voice be heard. it is a simple equation. If your elected representative has not made your life better however you determine that than vote for someone who will do the job for you… And that’s all I have to say about that..
I truly hope people on your side will abide by the results. Contesting a close election makes sense but it is then necessary, after the case is adjudicated, for the candidate who loses to concede. All candidates should acknowledge that before the election and any who said they can not lose because that would mean the election was rigged, must retract that statement and agree to accept the outcome, win or lose.
That is necessary to sustain a democratic system. We must stop the election deniers. Denying the validity of elections is one of the most important tools of autocratic wannabes.
Sorry, I wouldn’t rent Trump space in my head. He is a notorious deadbeat. Ask his former lawyers. Why do you think the most recent lawyer he hired demanded a retainer of $3,000,000 before signing on?
What with so many of you parroting whatever he says, and inflicting as much damage as you are, it’s kind of unavoidable having to evike his name. You and your tribe are little Trump clones.
And btw, this debate would’ve happened without your 200 word run-on sentence of mindless talking points. Don’t let it go to your head.