Maria Butina Link

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Quote of the Day

“I find that I have jurisdiction over Mr. Trump,” Scarpulla wrote.

Response to Carl Thomas

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If Mr. Thomas was taught it's against the law to desecrate or disrespect the flag or national anthem, I believe he was taught wrongly. The Nazis had a law against flag desecration. That's maybe not a good precedent. We could stick with the first amendment that protects acts of protest. It also defends his right to interpret the Bible any way he wants. With over 300 denominations of Christians there may be some who disagree with him on certain points.

I wish he'd expounded on the anarchy he sees. What we do have are racists in Charlottesville who were responsible for the death of a young woman. A bomber in Florida sent explosives to prominent folks on the left. A mass murderer in Pittsburgh killed Jews on their holiest day in their house of worship. None of these anarchists were influenced by Democrats. Should we call for martial law to round up Trump supporters? Insufficient loyalty to the president isn't justification for locking anyone up. That's still the opinion outside of fanatics who worship orange idols.

Kneeling to a Saudi prince to excuse a brutal murder and sell out the moral standing of the United States in return for a few dollars in arms sales may be lauded in some circles. Kneeling to protest unwarranted deaths of young black men may be treason in those same circles. It's not for me to judge, but Mr. Trump's path to glory may be very narrow. It's fortunate for him that Jerry Falwell Jr. and Franklin Graham are giving him such magnificent moral guidance.

A Pen Pal for Cesar Sayoc

Good timing getting this letter printed on the same day that the MAGA terrorist bomber's arrest hits the papers.

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We are in the middle of a serious insurrection and it is growing daily. It must be stopped immediately. If the election goes to the Democratic (insurrection) Party next month, then there will be a very short period to declare martial law. This is the only way justice can be done and our way of life preserved.

Yes, that's how it starts, and no, it doesn't get better. 

Letter Without a Title

This is in response to Sue Ward's letter accusing Tedra Cobb of "blanket statements" on affordable healthcare. Not sure if it qualifies as blanket or not, but Donald Trump said his replacement for ACA would be "terrific" and there would be "insurance for everybody." Progress seems as slow as that on the Great Wall of Mexico. There certainly was no improvement in AHCA that Rep. Stefanik voted to send to the Senate. It was estimated that would've cost over 64,000 of her constituents their health insurance. Not terrific, nor insurance for everyone. Since that Keystone Kops attempt at repeal and replace, Mr. Trump has just sought to continually undermine ACA. Rep. Stefanik has done nothing to stanch that.

Aside from the order killing the individual mandate, pushing short-term and association health plans is probably his most destructive actions. These are exempt from consumer protections required under ACA. There seems to be a theme under the Trump administration when it comes to protecting consumers. Anyone not familiar with caveat emptor likely should become so. Quoting a New York Times fact check on the recent Trump editorial in USA Today: "The Justice Department ... would no longer defend provisions in the Affordable Care Act that protect patients with pre-existing conditions."

Tedra Cobb has years of experience in the healthcare field and will work to ensure that folks in the North Country have access to insurance. Elise Stefanik spent two years voting ACA repeal bills to be sent to Barack Obama for veto. She has spent another two years as a bystander while it's been systematically crippled.  

Letter to Maggie

In response to this: Link

I'm a naive follower of the Democratic Party responding to Maggie Alitz's letter accusing the Democrats of slandering Brett Kavanaugh. They didn't slander Neil Gorsuch, so there must be something different about Kavanaugh. We don't know if he's truthful about sexual abuse. He paints himself as a drinker, but never to excess. "In denying the possibility that he ever blacked out from drinking, and in downplaying the degree and frequency of his drinking, Brett has not told the truth." That's Chad Ludington who was present when Kavanaugh began a brawl that ended with Chris Dudley's arrest. He was aggressive when drinking as a youth and still seems belligerent today as evidenced by his attitude toward questioning by Senator Klobuchar. Further evidence of his lack of judicial temperament is his blaming questioning of him on "revenge on behalf of the Clintons."  Advice and consent by Congress isn't slander or conspiracy. Questioning his honesty and disposition is allowed.

Yes Ms. Alitz, Abraham Lincoln was a Republican and responsible for the emancipation of slaves. But Donald Trump is the sad culmination of the devolution of the party that began with the Southern Strategy put forth by Richard Nixon. That was a plan to win over southern Democrats who were angry about Lyndon Johnson's actions to advance civil rights. Lincoln would not have approved. You've left the Democratic Party and joined the Republicans, for whatever reason. Great! So did Strom Thurmond (in 1964 over civil rights) and Donald Trump. It was not a Democrat who found "fine people" among the neo-Nazis, Klansmen, white supremacists and other assorted racists in Charlottesville. It was Mr. Trump.

Letter For Leonardo

I'm writing in response to Ken Tingley's Sunday column referring to a spokesperson for Rep. Stefanik who said Tedra Cobb was a bad candidate because she hasn't raised much money. I assume this is Leonardo Alcivar since he has also called Ms. Cobb the "worst congressional candidate in America." This has to be exclusive of Republicans since where would Corey Stewart and Duncan Hunter rank? Web search these two fine examples of today's Republican Party.

Tedra Cobb has raised $452,127 with 69% from within the district. Elise Stefanik has raised $1,972,762 with 10% from the 21st. Looked at that way; Ms. Cobb has $312,000 from potential constituents to $197,000 for Ms. Stefanik. Who is more apt to represent upstate New York? The one campaigning on small donations from North Country folks? Or the one who has built a war chest on rewards from hedge fund billionaires, defense contractors and other special interest groups? Whose interests are Ms. Stefanik going to protect: her constituents or the people who are funding her campaign?

Is Mr. Alcivar an upstate New Yorker? No, he's a Washington insider from the swamp in D.C. Apparently from a part that President Trump has yet to drain. I realize Ms. Stefanik spent her childhood and teen years in the North Country, but she must be getting pretty comfortable in the marshy environment of lobbyists and other noxious critters.  Vote local, vote Tedra!