letters to the editor/opinion

Writer adds his own ‘ridiculous’ conspiracy theory of election fraud

Posted 11 January 2021 at 9:10 am

Editor:

I have heard from “somebody” that an “anonymous source” told them that they had been informed by an “unnamed source (who can’t speak on the subject because they are not authorized to do so) that the 2020 Presidential Election was “very” fraudulently rigged, and thus confirmed to be the greatest election disaster in the history of mankind, dating back to at least the Neolithic Age.

That person, being the “third person” referenced above, has confirmed that there were numerous dead people who had voted and that at least one of the deceased persons had voted in multiple states. The “third person” also possesses a “fourth person’s” independent corroboration that before ballots could be counted in one unnamed state, they were secretly put into a large “brown valise” and deposited into a “fifth person’s” septic system.

Upon investigation of this matter by someone, “code-named Rudolf” (not the reindeer), the septic system was found to have been cleaned and was completely empty! Fraud upon fraud upon fraud upon fraud – no doubt at the hands of the “Not Very Proud Boys”, who very oddly were found to be armed with onions. Elbaites rejoice!!!!

All of this having been confirmed as a purported fact, and substantiated as such by Fox News it appears that Donald J. Trump of the State of Florida received multi millions of votes for President and Michael R. Pence of the State of Indiana has also received multi millions of votes for Vice-President. In each case the number of votes cast for Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence were “way bigger by millions” than ever.

Thus, pursuant to the 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America they are to be named as the President and Vice President of the below noted states because the parliamentarians have advised that these states possess the only certificates of voting that are regular in form and authentic; therefore, they shall be deemed to be the only votes which may be counted. Thusly, Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence have won the 2020 Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election by an “unprecedented hugest landslide ever” because these are the only states that are “really super good states.”

Those states being: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

God Save The Queen.

P.S. The only thing more ridiculous than this farcical Letter To The Editor is the historically preposterous presidency of Donald J. Trump which I fear will scar and torment our nation for generations to come. Share the truth and please keep the faith!

Doug Miller

Albion

Jacobs should hold town hall meetings to explain opposition to electoral certification

Posted 10 January 2021 at 12:13 pm

Editor:

The Lockport Union-Sun & Journal editorial 1/7/21 stated: “All of the lawmakers who have continued to object to the electors— when the election was clearly over and litigated — are no less culpable than Trump. They abetted his false narrative about a rigged election. Each one of them helped give these terrorist legitimacy. Each one helped put lives at risk, most especially those of law enforcement officials who tried to restore calm from chaos.”

Congressman Chris Jacobs is one of those objectors who put law enforcement officials in danger by promulgating lies about election fraud. The Buffalo News Editorial of 1/7/21 was more blunt. “So what does that make Jacobs? Besides cowardly, dishonest and unpatriotic?”

Of Mr. Jacobs’s objection, that he did not like other states election laws, the BN editorial wrote, “With his announcement that he would side with the Republican Sedition Caucus.”

Sedition is incitement or rebellion against a government. Both Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and minority leader Chuck Schumer called Wednesday’s events an insurrection. Is Mr. Jacobs plotting a rebellion against the government that he is a part of?

Mr. Jacobs needs to answer to his constituents for his actions in town hall meetings throughout the district. In his press release, Mr. Jacobs stated: “It is imperative to allow for this crucial conversation to be debated in public.”

Let’s start the conversation. Failure to meet and explain your votes to your constituents will prove what the Buffalo News called you: “So, in addition to being chicken-hearted, Jacobs is also a liar.”

I look forward to your town hall meetings. Thank you.

William Fine

Brockport

Trump previously called for long prison sentences for people who attacked federal property

Posted 10 January 2021 at 10:29 am

Editor:

In response to weeks of demonstrations in Portland, Donald Trump on June 26, 2020 signed the order with a minimum 10 years in prison. The “Law and Order” President said, “Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country.”

Trump tweeted “Anarchists, Agitators or Protestors who vandalize our Federal Courthouse in Portland or any Federal Buildings in any of our cities or states will be prosecuted under our recently re-enacted Statues and Monuments Act.”

The previous penalty was up to 10 years for vandalizing or destroying any monument or statue or such federal property in the U.S. under the Veterans Memorial Preservation Act.

Trump supporters violently broke into the Capitol building on Wednesday, spread DNA laden brown fecal footprints, destroyed property, threatened elected officials, and even assaulted a Capitol Hill police officer who subsequently died from his injuries.

Use logic, rather than emotions when making personal decisions. Find healthy ways to vent emotions. Be safe.

Trump’s pawns need to know the consequences. Media outlets, do your part, inform the people.

Frank Nochajski

Wilson

Residents easily duped by celebrity politicians with deep pockets, empty promises

Posted 10 January 2021 at 8:40 am

Editor,

I cannot add much to Mr. Ballard’s eloquent and instructive response to the events of January, 6, 2021 except to say that as an American and a resident of Orleans County I am ashamed.

I have lived here my entire life and know enough to know that many of my neighbors consider themselves good, Christian folks. Yet, on houses throughout the county, houses belonging to these same self-styled Christian folk, there is hoisted the flag of a man. A vile, repugnant man who is antithetical to Christ’s message but held in higher regard. Our modern worship of power, punishment and celebrity is laid bare.

In many ways, it is understandable. Not much has been happening in Orleans County for a long time. Without expanding job opportunities, strong social organizations and the general belief that one can better one’s circumstance we are left feeling empty, powerless and hurt. When the physical body is hurt, it opens to infection. It follows then that our battered and beleaguered minds have succumb to the virus that is Donald Trump; that is Chris Collins; that is Chris Jacobs.

Each one of these men represents a great feat of cognitive dissonance: unfathomably rich persons who were overwhelmingly elected by one of the poorest constituencies in New York (#57 out of 62 in per capita income).

Now, I don’t know how many of you know or are friendly with a millionaire, much less a billionaire. But here’s something that’ll hold water: they don’t know about you, they don’t care about you and they can’t possibly understand what you’re going through. They’re in it for them. Period. The old saying goes, “you don’t get rich by giving away money.”  The natural extension of that euphemism is, “you get rich by separating fools from theirs.”

And here we are today, days after our Congress was attacked by domestic terrorists sporting every item from Donald Trump’s merchandise store (“…fools from theirs”). A few days after our Congressman Chris Jacobs voted with the Sedition Caucus in an effort to deny the legitimate votes of millions of Americans, our neighbors. What do we have to show for any of it? Shame is all any of us should rightfully have today.

If there is any hope for us to truly know a great America, we need to shut off cable news, delete all of our social media (especially Facebook), and take down those silly flags while opening up our minds and our hearts. And, as Peter the Apostle wrote (1 Peter 3:8), “all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

Robert Shaw

Lyndonville

Trump supporter denounces president for role in Capitol riot

Posted 8 January 2021 at 7:42 pm

Editor:

Mr. President, I rallied for you. I voted for you twice. I have supported you through thick and thin. I have been an outspoken advocate of yours. You have been, by far, the best possible leader in these troubled times in spite of the unrelenting political opposition and media bashing.

Until now. Your many amazing accomplishments are now being overshadowed – and I believe rightly so. Please sit down and be quiet.

I do not place all the blame of the tragic event in Washington this past week at your feet. I do though hold you to account for your lack of action before, during, and post rioting. There is no excuse. You let our country down.

Was there fraud in the election? Yes. Was it so widespread that it changed the results? Who knows. I doubt if we ever will. That does not give you the right to let criminals invade our nation’s capital by NOT being absolutely clear that ANY violence or illegal act will not be tolerated. Honestly, Mr. President, you have done direct damage to our nation. Five dead. Numerous injuries. An historic invasion of our nation’s capital. I believe you could have prevented all of this.

Election reform is certainly needed, but that is a matter for another time.

The banter about impeachment with less than two weeks left in your administration is just that: political banter. I ask you again, no I PLEAD with you to sit down and be quiet. It was my hope that you would run again. This one week has made me question that hope.

Now that the left has control of all three branches their upcoming failures will undoubtedly be blamed on you every time. And you have given them even more ammo – especially when given the left’s propensity to exchange factual historic events for whatever negative view of America they wish to convey for that day. They will make sure yours is the face of January 6, 2021.

Let us, the people, deal with election reform. I thank you for your 3.99 years of an outstanding presidency. Now please sit down and be quiet.

And to those on the left, your calls for “working together” and “respect” fall on deaf ears. Your corrupt, disrespectful, false, and downright dangerous statements were for four years the only thing that we heard from you.

You accomplished nothing but delaying aid to the American people on three different occasions to further Nancy’s political fight with the right. Enjoy your temporary reign. I have absolutely no doubt that the extreme radical left will impose their will on more centrist Democrats resulting in a failing economy. Taxes and unemployment will rise. Inflation will follow. The asinine “Green New Deal” actually has a foothold now.

I’m certain this will precipitate Republicans making great gains in the elections 2 and 4 years from now.

In the meantime Mr. President, please sit down and be quiet.

Bob Harker

Clarendon

Employee at nursing home in Albion voices concerns about staffing

Posted 8 January 2021 at 5:30 pm

Editor:

I am an employee with the Village of Orleans nursing home that past two years. It is having issues again, this time with staffing. Is this a reality in nursing? Sometimes yes. Sometimes from staff turnover, and other times from disasters like we had with Covid-19.

There were some poor choices coming from the top for sure but it was also something new that none of us were ready to deal with. In the end we lost a lot of people but were able to provide excellent end-of-life care, due to the staff who hadn’t quit or got Covid themselves, being unified with a common enemy and goal.

We also saved many of the residents there with consistent care and nourishment. Administration also played a part by eventually giving hazard pay and offering bonus/incentives to staff when staffing went to a critical level.

The staffing issue now has been artificially created by one thing: greed. We have filled the building with new admits, at times getting 5 in one day. For any business this is a good thing with dollars for people at the top.

But administration has repeatedly minimized or outright ignored concerns of nursing staff as the work load continues to expand, with no steps to up staffing, retain current staff, or incentivize staff so we don’t get overwhelmed or frustrated, then quit, as I have.

I’m not the first and I won’t be the last. I’ve talked with the current administrator and his boss. I voiced concerns of basic human needs not being met because of the rapid growth of admits with no way to buff up staffing.

What it comes down to is they pretend to be powerless, as anything that could make a difference has to go through the union, with examples being competitive wages or an attendance incentive or a temporary bonus for critical staffing levels. This could take months. Ask some of our residents when was the last time they were offered a shower. Can they wait until the union clears it?

On top of filling the place up, they have decided to take patients with a high level of care/needs. Example being someone with multiple wounds, on IV medications, poly-substance abuse, behaviors, etc. Everyone needs care, but if we are unable to provide the resources to care for the patients, why are we still taking them in? When I say resources, I mean nurses and aids, mostly!

The staff that remains from the Covid-19 outbreak remember all the extra effort and care we put in to keep who we could alive and healthy, and those we couldn’t, comfortable. Now the survivors are neglected.

I’m leaving The Villages and I don’t see any changes or urgency from anyone in administration with the actual power to do something – I’m asking for help from outside sources.

Name withheld

Conservative Party leader thanks Jacobs for opposing electoral certification

Posted 8 January 2021 at 5:16 pm

Editor:

I want to thank Congressman Chris Jacobs for standing up for the Constitution, the constitutional process and for standing up for our President. That is what the citizens of Orleans County and the 27th district sent you to do.

Never apologize. Never surrender to the anti-American hypocritical left. Do not pay attention the rabid leftist werewolves barking at their own reflections.

They stole 3 elections and they still are not happy. (Have you ever seen a happy leftist?) I am proud that I cast my vote for you. I look forward to you fighting the leftists every step of the way in the halls of Congress.

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman

Jacobs postured to Trump supporters in opposing Biden’s electoral certification

Posted 8 January 2021 at 11:53 am

Editor:

Dawn on Wednesday brought historic news that a Black man and a Jewish man were elected as senators in the south. The place was Georgia, the last of the Confederate slave states to return to the Union. It seemed like our country had come full circle.

An afternoon ceremony, usually a half-hour formality, included added political posturing. Our WNY Congressman Chris Jacobs, jumped onto the Trump wagon, sided with the mini-Trumps of the future and mob of terrorists and voted No to certify Biden’s presidential election. The stunt blew up their faces! Each deserves to wear a scarlet “S” as a seditionist.

Violence was incited by the President of the U.S. domestic terrorists disrespectfully desecrated our U.S. Capitol, the heart of our democracy. How did they get into the Capitol with so little resistance? Were they told to stand down? Why were these white men not treated as criminals or as black men would be treated?

A Confederate battle flag actually inside the U.S. Capitol was historical. This has never happened before, never during the Confederacy, never during the Civil War, never during reconstruction, never during the Civil Rights Act or First Ku Klux Klan Act of 1870, never during re-emergence of the KKK in the 1920s, not even as modern display began use as a response to the civil rights movement of 50s and 60s. January 6, 2021 domestic terrorists brazenly, historically, carried the Confederate Flag into our U.S. Capitol, the heart of our democracy.

On the news Thursday night, a day after the insurrection, Trump loyalist Jacobs said, “Yesterday was an American day we came together and got the job done.” I hope that he meant that the job was the acceptance of the Biden presidency. Jacobs’ statement was not enough for me.

Americans have finally woken up. We the people need to speak up. Call out officials as well as ordinary citizens to answer to the law. Our democracy is about us. The Buffalo News article “The Coward” is about “candy man” Jacobs; resign now.

Carol Nochajski

Wilson

Politicians refused to speak out as country became dangerously divided

Posted 8 January 2021 at 10:29 am

Editor:

Regarding the tragedy on display in our nation’s capital on January 6th, State Senator Robert Ortt (as well as others) declared, “This is not who we are!”

Really? With all due respect, sir, this is exactly who we are. This is exactly who and what we’ve become. Otherwise, why did it happen?

Our country began to dangerously splinter four years ago; some misguided politicians – obviously, such as yourself and election objector, Chris Jacobs – never noticed it or cared. It was right under your noses. Your failure to let it go unchecked is stunning beyond comprehension.

The shameful act of letting something of this magnitude fester, will go down in history as a reminder to those contemplating a run for office, to prepare themselves better … with eyes to see, a spine to stand up and a voice to be heard.

Tom Valley

Medina

Jacobs casts doubt on election results despite no evidence of fraud

Posted 7 January 2021 at 6:44 pm

Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs stated there were voting irregularities in other states and that is the reason why he objects to certification of Joe Biden. Where is his data to support this? Christopher Krebs, President Trump’s director of Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency, stated: “The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.” President Trump’s Attorney General William Barr stated: “To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.”

In a Pennsylvania court house President Trump’s personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, stated “This is not a fraud case.” In court case after court case, no evidence was presented, none. Period.

Mr. Jacobs and his ilk can lie to the media and to their constituents all day long because there is no penalty, but when they have to back up those lies with facts in court they reveal that the fraud doesn’t exist.

The insurrection on Jan. 6th was the end result of the endless stream of lies and conspiracy theories – not supported by any facts – that Mr. Jacobs has promulgated to support Mr. Trump over our Constitution.

The public distrust in the election is created, whole cloth, out of thin air by Radical Republicans, like Mr. Jacobs to suppress votes he doesn’t like. This is anti-democratic. Mr. Jacobs, you should resign as your actions demonstrate that you do not support and in fact attacked the Constitution of the United States, that you took an oath to defend and protect.

William Fine

Brockport

After failure of Trumpism, take back our nation from right-wing thugs

Posted 7 January 2021 at 2:35 pm

Editor:

I am fully prepared to observe the flood of responses in support of the right-wing domestic terrorists who besieged the U.S. Capitol yesterday. Many Americans should not be surprised that the party of “Law & Order” is in support of brutal and militant police suppression only when it targets non-whites. Yet the right to unlawfully ransack our nation’s most sacred institutions is acceptable when their white privilege is under attack.

Today, social media is abound with posts echoing the statement, “This is not America, this is not who we are.” Yet, it is who we are. A long history of otherism, of targeted and intentional violence against one another. The savagery witnessed yesterday is as American as apple pie.

A political cartoon entitled “Arguments of the Chivalry” depicts Preston Brooks’ 1856 caning of abolitionist Charles Sumner on the floor of the U.S. Senate Chamber. Having delivered a fiery anti-slavery speech just two days earlier, Brooks took to physical violence in retaliation. The cartoon is adorned with Henry Ward Beecher’s quote, “The symbol of the North is the pen; the symbol of the South is the bludgeon.”

As Americans, we have witnessed a proverbial time warp to the 1850s where moral arguments are met with physical hostility. The Party of Lincoln has reaffirmed that they have more in common with the antebellum Democratic Party. This historical callback was reflected in an image of a Confederate flag-toting hooligan standing in front of Sumner’s portrait in the Capitol.

If history has taught us anything, it is that the type of aggression experienced yesterday cannot be met with calls to simply “turn the page,” or “move on from these events.” The path towards unrestricted and oft encouraged physical violence against others is more reminiscent of Reconstruction than of a nation that, according to the right, is not struggling with systemic racism. A period of time in which the Ku Klux Klan ran rampant throughout the South and ex-Confederates dictated post-war politics. We can no longer exist as a nation without repercussions.

We watched as law enforcement officials opened the gates to seditionists who scaled walls, broke glass, and climbed through windows. Months earlier, fully militarized police launched tear gas and unleashed batons on protesters around the White House (while the President cowered in his basement bunker).

Last evening, before he was rightfully suspended from Twitter for twelve hours, our “President” told these seditionists and self-proclaimed “Patriots” to “Go home. We love you, you’re very special.” I suppose we should not be surprised by such comments from the man who suggested that there were “very fine people on both sides” at Charlottesville, or who told his proud boy militia to “stand by.”

As Mitt Romney said so eloquently last evening, “No Congressional audit is every going to convince these voters, particularly when the President will continue to say that the election was stolen.”

We have fully witnessed what “Make America Great Again” really means. It was never about the 401k’s and always about the white supremacy. Those present in Washington, D.C. are not patriots, they are thugs covered in the stench of Trumpism.

The Democratic Party needs to prepare to govern with mandate. Georgia delivered the Senate and it is time to take back our nation.

Matthew Ballard

Statesville, NC (formerly of Albion)

Police treated Trump supporters who stormed Capitol differently than BLM protestors

Posted 7 January 2021 at 12:48 pm

Editor:

Imagine if yesterday’s protests (riots) in Washington, D.C. had been BLM, LGBTQ, or Muslim citizens protesting a proposed travel ban? Rest assured that no security police would be holding the doors while patting them on the backs as they rushed in to seize the Congress of our democracy.

Further, I can guarantee that there would be no smashing of windows, no plundering of government and public property or the looting of historical artifacts. Nor would there be long guns hailed among the portraits of our Founders, no profane screaming in the rotunda or even posing for a selfie in Nancy Pelosi’s office.

How do I know? Because there would be a river of American blood flowing down the Capitol steps instead.

I guess one man’s thug is another man’s patriot.

Gotta love those Trump conservative values.

Tom Graham – Albion High School ’78

Rochester

Capitol insurrection shows Trump cult run amok

Posted 7 January 2021 at 8:36 am

Editor:

The president invited a mob of neo-nationalists to go to the Capital and stop the certification of electors. He retired to what used to be the famous Rose Garden and by video encouraged them generally as “his type of people.” Sure they were.

They have been talking about take over for decades; finally they had a President who would use them to hold power.

This coup attempt was quickly suppressed. I have thought for a while that short of war if Trump fought leaving no holds barred that he could hurt himself and set the stage for his own demise.  He would have to cross a line in people’s minds for which they finally could not forgive him.

Until this day all was being structured and postured as a cover story for Trump to perpetuate his lies. I was not encouraged. It is hard to expect people to read and understand all the cases demonstrating Trump is, pure and simple, a uniquely unsuccessful shill.

But Trump stopped hiding behind lies and blew the start whistle for the “proud boy”, militia, KKK types.

They invaded the Capitol. The number of crimes committed is legion – guns used to stop our Congress is traitorous insurrection. And Congress agrees.

Now I want to assess if the criminality of thinking and the nationalists acting on Trump’s lies will sink in. Clearly everyone involved in the Capitol invasion needs to be held out as examples of a cult run amok. It was and is their smoke screen.

Trump-appointed US attorneys around the country promise they will hunt them down. So maybe Trump has finally gone too far with honest people now that he has proved he is just another power-hungry domestic terrorist.

Maybe seeing this we can come together. (Then again one nut sent me a doctored video from  OAN – Trump’s new favorite channel.)

But real Americans do not give in to foreign propaganda and do not throw in with white nationalists. We dig in, do the right and legal thing, and win. Jan. 6 reminded us of that and why laws and legal traditions are the cornerstone we do not mess with.

It’s time to come back to our senses.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Jacobs is right to want answers in presidential election

Posted 7 January 2021 at 8:28 am

Editor:

Several answers to questions could provide clarity to the 2020 elections. A 10-day audit would answer some of these concerns that Republicans, like Congressman Jacobs, have.

Why would your party remove poll watchers if everything is above board? If there is nothing to hide why remove them? Why do certain states have a large amount over votes? Why wasn’t the constitution followed regarding changing of election laws?

Why relax standards regarding signature matches? What is the exact reasoning behind that move? Explain the reasoning behind scanning the same ballets multiple times?

There could be logical explanations behind all of these. The be quiet and accept the results as your letter states is certainly not going to change anyone’s electoral concerns.

Edward Urbanik

Lyndonville

Democratic leaders in 27th District condemn Jacobs for opposing electoral certification

Posted 6 January 2021 at 6:54 pm

Editor:

The verdict of the American people is clear and resounding: Joe Biden will be our president, and Kamala Harris will be our Vice President.

Every single state has certified their results, and no court has found any of those certifications invalid. Despite repeated Republican accusations of fraud, Republicans have been unable to produce an iota of evidence to support, much less prove, their accusations.

Despite that failure, several Republican members of the House and Senate have tried to interfere today with the counting of electoral votes, a ceremonial ritual, today.

Yesterday Rep. Chris Jacobs (NY 27) dodged repeated questions from press and constituents about what he planned to do in the House today. Since his votes will be publicly recorded within hours, though, Chris Jacobs has finally revealed his intentions.

Shamefully, he is standing with those who would overturn the will of the American voters and the voters of New York. Rather than standing for democracy, he has aligned himself with the demagogues who refuse to accept their loss and are inciting violence.

We, the county Democratic Chairpersons of New York’s 27th Congressional District, condemn Congressman Jacobs’ decision in the strongest possible terms. No one who refuses to accept election results deserves to hold elective office. Once again, the Representative of NY 27 is bringing shame upon the people of this district.

Jeremy Zellner

Chair, Erie County Democratic Committee

John Jacoby

Chair, Niagara County Democratic Committee

Jeff Lewis

Chair, Orleans County Democratic Committee

Michael Plitt

Chair, Genesee County Democratic Committee

Cynthia Appleton

Chair, Wyoming County Democratic Committee

Judith Hunter

Chair, Livingston County Democratic Committee

Zach King

Chair, Monroe County Democratic Committee

John Hurley

Chair, Ontario County Democratic Committee