Ronny Jackson Letter

Credit to Col. McNulty for his letter addressing a column he was in disagreement with. This was much superior to Mr. Nelson's which states, "The bulk of recent columns and commentary are divisive to the readers, not all, but many. The constant assault on the Constitution..." Specifics would be so much better, rhetorically speaking.

Col. McNulty (and Mr. Nelson) question Mr. Tingley's familiarity with "honor, courage and commitment." Our current president has said, "the Mueller investigation is an attack on our country." Mr. Mueller is a decorated Vietnam veteran who has also served his country nobly in other ways. Some of us feel the inquiry into Russian election interference is a great service. Another quote, "he's not a war hero. I like people who weren't captured." Mr. Trump also minimized the sacrifice of the Kahn's, a Gold Star family. Despite playing football, tennis and squash he received a deferment for bone spurs. In 1993, he told Howard Stern that dating was "the equivalent of a soldier going to Vietnam." This, because of STDs. I can see why a parent might be reluctant have their children serve under Mr. Trump's moral leadership.

What matters more is his choice of Ronny Jackson to head the VA. Because Jackson praised him and went along with the obvious fiction that Mr. Trump weighs 239 pounds, he was given the nod. It has come out that the doctor has engaged in a number of inappropriate behaviors. This seems of greater importance than whether Mr. Tingly wants his son serving in President Trump's military. And Rep. Stefanik: Whether the allegations are true or not, Dr. Jackson is clearly unqualified. 

McNulty Link 

Nelson Link

Great Letters That Are Not Mine

The first is from Nicole Clark who demonstrates that Elise Stefanik is well-versed in tautologies.

To the dismay of many, this week Elise Stefanik continued her practice of providing slick, non-answers to constituent questions. For example, at Thursday’s “coffee” in South Glens Falls, when Michele Davis asked her to clarify her position on universal background checks and gun violence, she emphasized that “these horrific crimes (in Parkland, Las Vegas, etc.) are by people who have broken the law.” Notably, she ignored the fact that both the Parkland and Las Vegas murderers legally purchased their military-style weapons before killing throngs of people. 

Sara Schaff pointing out that our congresswoman may not be up to the job.

No one is asking her to "disagree" with Trump. Our love of our families, neighbors and country is far bigger than that. It's the kind of love that demands our elected officials stand up for a democracy under threat from an incompetent, incurious, bigoted, easily-bored, lying, narcissistic bully.

If Ms. Stefanik is not willing to do that, she doesn't deserve the job we pay her to do.

Julie Wash reminding us that Elise's ethics are essentially the same as Trump's and the rest of the elected members of the Republican Party. 

I appreciate the congresswoman's honesty to tell me face-to-face that she has no personal standards of integrity when it comes to fundraising off a self-proclaimed sexual abuser. Basically, if it wins the GOP the White House, Stefanik's professional integrity takes a back seat to a party that nominates and confirms a known abuser who riles the basest instincts in voters.

Thank You, John Camm

You get the quote of the day.

"I'm a moderate Republican, and yet my party has run away from that," Camm said. "So give me a moderate Democrat."

I may steal that in the future.

John Camm has been a Republican since the Nixon Administration, but the 63-year-old Tucson accountant says he will likely support a Democrat for Congress in November. He is splitting with his party over access to health insurance as well as its recent overhaul of the nation's income tax system. He also supports gun control measures that the party has rejected.

It's a small world after all.