Musings on courageous Republicans, a president who believes he’s above the law, and other topics
Editor:
What follows are some random observations. The reader is certainly free to take exception to any—or all—of them.
A bowling acquaintance observed a few weeks ago that, “They (politicians) are all the same”. His experience is not mine, and he is entitled to his opinion. To me, the view he expressed provides cover for abdicating one’s citizenship responsibility. If one reasons that, “They are all the same”, a “citizen” is absolved from determining who is best for the job. We have a rationale for tuning out. Nonetheless, people with a great deal of credibility have said “tuning out” is not an option in a republic.
Consider how similar such excuses are to dismissing any reporting that challenges your thinking as “fake” news. If difficult to comprehend devastation in Puerto Rico was actually the product of cherry-picked aerial photos and “fake” news, we can dismiss it as just that—“fake news”.
Please understand this. Some people actually do think of themselves as above the law. Revealing tax returns is for lesser beings. Paying contractors who did millions of dollars worth of work for you in Atlantic City is for “losers”. Groping women–according to one prominent “business” man–is apparently not a problem when you have attained sufficient stature.
Take this to the bank: history will portray John McCain, Jeff Flake, and Bob Corker as leaders who displayed exceptional courage.
As I recall, it was Kansas Republican Senator Bob Dole who nagged Bill Clinton to address Bosnian genocide. That WWII veteran’s commitment to the inconvenient truth led to the Dayton Accords and the war crimes tribunal at The Hague that brought Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic to justice. Perhaps Dole was delusional, but he didn’t think the fact that the perps were ostensibly “Christians” and the victims were Muslims mattered.
The October 29th “60 Minutes” segment on master forger Adolfo Kaminsky’s Herculean efforts to save thousands of Jews from Nazi death camps was—to me—inspirational.
A recent letter to the editor bestowed a new title on me. I guess what it said was flattering, though probably undeserved. My problem isn’t with my former student and retired State Trooper. Joe Sidonio–to me–is a stronger candidate.
County Legislature candidates Ken DeRoller, Fred Miller, and John DeFillips have no opponents, but are worthy of public support in my view. Once again, I firmly believe Al Capurso deserves our votes as well.
For those who missed their “opportunity” to cut cabbage Sunday morning in the rain and balmy 40-degree weather, don’t worry. Some shorter people who didn’t have to bend over too far got it done in spite of the mud and somewhat less than ideal conditions. (I have seen worse.) If you haven’t enjoyed the cabbage harvest experience, you do not know what you are missing. Those who think sauerkraut comes from a store might benefit from checking with those who have depended on border area farm labor for at least five decades that I can personally attest to.
My close childhood buddy, George Fischer, tripped a booby trap in Vietnam and arrived home in Holley “closed casket”. Not only did George not care whether our Kendall Cubs center fielder was Black, he didn’t care whether those who had his back in Vietnam were Puerto Rican.
When most people of my ancient vintage heard “Fats” Domino perform, we really didn’t give a rat’s ass what color he was.
After listening to third generation bee keeper and outstanding former student Jim Doan’s presentation to the Orleans Bluebird Society, our non-profit has decided not to spray any of the white dogwoods we planted in the Village of Albion with a product containing imadicloprid.
Finally, those in a persistent state of denial might want to read Connie Schultz’ column in the 10/30 Batavia Daily News.
Sincerely yours,
Gary Kent
Albion
