The Natives are Restless

My morning paper had such a wonderful bevy of letters.

Matthew Dorgan:

During Mr. Trump's speech to CPAC this week he said, in reference to the people who have the gall to think they should be allowed to speak to their elected officials, "They're not us." Judging from the events locally this past week it seems the Incredible Vanishing Congresswoman is in full agreement. 

Long-time reader, first-time writer? Could be. In any case, keep up the good work. 

Ethel Eissenberg:

Since I am being treated for cancer and my spouse resides in a nursing home with dementia, my very serious concerns for health care might be uppermost in my mind, were it not for what I consider to be a much greater threat — the one that Donald Trump poses to our democracy.

Ms. Eissenberg is another first-timer. Blessings and prayers to her and her husband. 

Carroll LaPann:

Just reading today's Post-Star regarding the remarks made by the jogging stranger.  Let this stranger also add her praise to you and all journalists who are doing their jobs under very trying conditions today to hold steady and to protect the constitutional rights for a free press. Please don't let your guard down. Thank you.

And yet another first-timer all the way from Florida. That was her whole letter. Short and sweet. Wish I could make  mine that succinct. 

John Busteed:

I would like to congratulate Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for successfully hiding from her constituents during this congressional recess. This is another proud moment for Republicans who find that their actual policies are somewhat unpopular.

Yes, Mr. Busteed is another first-timer. Ring that bell! Definitely read the rest of his letter.

Eric Krantz:

We have been urged by President Trump to be many things. Be alert, be vigilant, be angry, be fearful, be prepared, be armed. The list goes on and on. But there are some words we never hear. Among them are: be caring, be compassionate, be empathetic, be open-minded, be sympathetic, be loving.

Mr. Krantz is a veteran and long-time curmudgeon as I am. Keep up the good work Mr. Krantz.

Gary Moon:

Elise Stefanik has announced her plan to sidestep public meetings and instead have private meetings with lucky few participants to have their voices heard. This is a thinly veiled attempt to avoid providing the same public forum for dissent when Ms. Stefanik does not agree with the dissenters. I wish to lend my voice in calling out Ms. Stefanik for failing to deal with the concerns of the public in an open and honest way. I also wish to encourage the protesters outside of each of Ms. Stefanik’s offices to not let up and continue to voice your concerns as publicly and loudly as possible in growing numbers, because she may not meet with you, but she cannot help but hear you. I’ll be joining you.

Mr. Moon is another vet and the only writer who didn't upset spell-check. Congrats for that Mr. Moon.

Bernice Mennis: 

We all need work — to survive, to have worth and dignity. The question: what to do when the place where we live (and often love) no longer provides work we know (and want).  Families from Appalachia migrated to Baltimore and Detroit; small farms in the Midwest consolidated into industrialized farms; factories in mill towns in New England shut down; coal mines closed, unable to compete financially with natural gas, coal’s pollution threatening our health and earth. People buying online harms small local businesses and many leave for larger cities. Change. Towns (and cities) are challenged to find ways of surviving and thriving.

Saved the best for last and that's no shame for the other writers. If you only go to read one of these, read the rest of this letter. Bernice writes often and writes well. 

Some folks are fired up!