Letters to the Editor November 23

Posted 11/22/16

Thanksgiving and illegal immigration Let’s think this through this Thanksgiving. North America was invaded by illegal immigrants/aliens that conquered and displaced the Native American Indians. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Letters to the Editor November 23

Posted

Thanksgiving and illegal immigration

Let’s think this through this Thanksgiving.

North America was invaded by illegal immigrants/aliens that conquered and displaced the Native American Indians. Yes? The Spanish were the first Europeans to establish Christian (Roman Catholic) settlements in North America at St. Augustine, in what is now the state of Florida, in 1565. However, the territory that would become the Thirteen Colonies in 1776 was largely populated by Protestants seeking religious freedom from the Church of England. These settlers were primarily Puritans of which the Pilgrims were members. So the American Indians fought hard to keep the Europeans out, but lost from the outside in.

We now face a destruction from the inside out. Yes? I tell you we are rapidly losing our heritage, traditions and even the faith our nation was built on. This Thanksgiving, let’s stop the fighting between political parties and rebuild the USA as brothers and sisters.

Happy Thanksgiving.

God bless America, one nation under God, in God we trust.

John “JP” Pasquale

Livingston Manor, NY

About that privilege

Nowadays, some people seem to think that I am “privileged.” I have been told too often that I have “white privilege” because of the color of my skin. I have also been told I have “heterosexual privilege” because I am a woman who will only have sex with a man.

Enough already! I don’t feel that I have any “privilege” over anyone else, because I worked for everything I have and enjoy in my life.

I didn’t have children before I was married; my husband and I had just one child because that was all we could afford to support for 18-plus years and send to college (our son has a Masters degree).

I am not an alcoholic, I am not a drug addict, I never received any kind of welfare. I have always exercised my right to vote. If I want to protest something, I call or send an email or ask for a meeting. I don’t block traffic, damage property, set fires. And I do not have to justify whom I vote for to anyone.

I certainly don’t feel privileged when I look at my husband’s paycheck and see all the deductions they take for taxes, health insurance, etc. He is randomly drug tested to keep his job (after almost 34 years with his employer). People getting welfare aren’t drug tested to get their checks. My husband does not feel privileged.

When I look at our property tax bills from our town and school district and see almost half of it going to Medicaid and other welfare mandates, I don’t feel privileged.

Ms. Gonzalez writes, “It is OK to be at a place of privilege in society, but it is damaging if you deny this and do not fight for justice for those who are not.”

The only “privilege” I have is to be alive. I won’t feel guilty or apologize for the color of my skin or that I choose to have sex only with someone of the opposite sex.

Denise Connolly

Smallwood, NY

[The letter below was sent to New York State’s Congressional Representative for the 19th District, Chris Gibson.]

A Republican failure

I live in Sullivan County, and you are my representative in Congress. Over the past months, I have contacted you by phone and email asking that you state your position on Donald Trump’s ability to lead the nation as well as your opinion of his hate speech and vulgarity and treatment of women. You have chosen to say nothing.

You, and every member of the Republican Party who said nothing, have now put the country in the hands of Donald Trump. You are responsible for this, Mr. Gibson. You had the power to speak and chose not to.

The last time the Republican Party held the White House, Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney:

1. Failed to protect the country from the 9/11 attacks

2. Failed to kill Osama Bin Laden

3. Perpetrated an illegal war against a sovereign nation that posed no threat to the U.S., killing thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of others, emptying America’s bank account and increasing the national debt, and [radicalizing] many in the Muslim world.

4. Failed to protect and defend New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina.

5. Watched as the world financial markets collapsed at the hands of American banks, leaving the country in the deepest recession since the Great Depression.

6. Bailed out those same banks rather than helping the citizens of the U.S.

This is the mess that you, and all Republicans left behind.

The Obama administration corrected much of this, cleaned up much of your mess.

Now look what you’ve done.

I am sick of cleaning up Republican messes. I am sick of so-called men who cannot stand on their own ethical principles, but follow party leaders no matter where they go, even to the depths that Donald Trump dragged you. You were willing to go. Of course, you weren’t running for re-election, what difference did it make to you?

As the future unfolds, remember that you did not open your mouth, you said nothing and and did nothing.

Kenneth Wampler

White Sulphur Springs, NY

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here