"Trump is in a deep state of trouble" Letter to the editor Jeff Akins

President Trump certainly has "deep state" problems alright. He's in a deep state of doo-doo, and it's getting worse every day.

White House Chief of Staff Mulvaney admitted Trump's quid pro quo, withholding congressional-approved military aid until Ukraine offered to investigate Trump’s political rival. Ambassador William Taylor corroborated Trump’s extortion under oath in congressional testimony.

Game. Set. Impeachment.

Continuing House subpoenas and witness testimony will further prove Trump’s guilt. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the full transcript of Trump's phone call with Ukraine's president to be released within 30 days — the same transcript Trump called “perfect” and offered to release, yet was oddly placed on a super-secret server.

Expect another Trump weekend getaway to one of his resorts for a 105th day of golf in less than three years. Speaking of Trump’s resorts, his attempt at hosting the G-7 at his Doral facility would have been a clear Emoluments Clause violation. Considering the 4th District U.S. Court of Appeals is rehearing arguments in an Emoluments Clause case against Trump, that constitutional violation may be added to growing list of impeachment articles.

Trump's impeachment defense is falling apart faster than fast food gets eaten in the Oval Office. Polls show a growing majority of We the People want this tyrant impeached AND removed from office. The world is also eager for that outcome, except maybe Vladimir Putin and other dictators who have manipulated Trump.

Publishing history:  Daily freeman 10/25/`9

"Willie Horton racism rears its head in Ulster County" Letter to the editor Joyce Scheffey

Dear Editor:

Re your article “Saugerties police chief Sinagra raps Clegg over mailer showing DA candidate shaking hands with Kingston activist, ex-con Shabazz”:

According to Sinagra, if you’re running for district attorney, you shouldn’t shake hands with black people. There’s no other way to interpret this statement: “If you don’t have enough common sense to know that will invoke strong feelings in the criminal justice community, then you shouldn’t be running for district attorney.”

I am old enough to remember the Willie Horton racism of Republican candidates and was horrified to see a local police chief revive it against David Clegg.

The blatant racism of the Republicans cannot stand. David Clegg shook the hand of a black man he didn’t know. That makes him a good man.

Publishing history:  Daily freeman 10/25/19

"Dave Clegg’s Smart Policy on Drug Crimes" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

Dave Clegg’s Smart Policy on Drug Crimes

I grew up in Utah, certainly one of the reddest states in the nation, so recent news from Salt Lake County was, to me, breathtaking.  The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the County District Attorney will reduce the convictions for many non-violent felony drug crimes to misdemeanors.  More than 12,000 individuals who were tried between 1997 and 2015 will therefore be “eligible for expungement and a variety of benefits, as well as certain housing and jobs.”  (https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/09/24/salt-lake-county-is/

In other words, rock-ribbed Republican Utah will join the rapidly advancing national movement to re-think how the criminal justice system addresses the “war on drugs.”  Increasingly, we understand that building bigger prisons and jails is a losing proposition.  Instead, drug use and addiction treated as mental health issues are far more likely to bend toward positive—and cost effective--social solutions. 

The opioid crisis has put a glaring spotlight on the personal tragedies that have struck all neighborhoods and all ranges of families in the country.  Overdose deaths gather full attention, but less publicized are the ways in which those convicted of drug crimes face barriers to rehabilitation when they are released.  In Utah, ex-addict Tony Radjen described how when he “looked for employment and housing [I] found out very quickly that my past would be an obstacle to opportunity and security.”

On November 5 Ulster County will elect a new district attorney, who will have an enormous impact on how drug-use crimes are addressed.  Using his discretion, he can channel charged individuals to drug courts, strengthen alternatives to incarceration and restorative justice, and lobby for increased county resources for mental health services.  The candidate who will chart this new direction for Ulster County is Democrat Dave Clegg.  He has pledged a commitment to all of these reforms, even as he promises to prosecute violent felons who prey on the vulnerable.  Clegg will work closely with Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa to address the opioid crisis with sensible and humane policies.

Many addicts are our children, and children of our friends and neighbors.  We want them to have an opportunity to build a new life after drugs.  We voters should look for the District Attorney candidate who pledges to join hands with communities across the country like Salt Lake.  Red and blue can unite for the benefit of all.  That candidate is Dave Clegg.

publishing history:

Daily Freeman (edited)     10/8/19

New Paltz Times, Kingston Times    10/10

"It's crime" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

It’s a Crime

The Chairman of the Committee to Elect Mike Kavanaugh submitted a letter to the editor in the New Paltz Times, 9/26/19:  “Bail Reform’s Flaws.”  The author, Richard Croce, proposes that there are bipartisan concerns about the legislation on bail reform passed by the New York Senate and Assembly and signed by the Governor.  Perhaps there are . . . perhaps.   Look at his argument. 

His second paragraph begins with “Imagine . . . “  Always be on the alert with paragraphs that begin with “imagine . . . “    He goes on to describe a scene in which an 89-year-old woman’s home is invaded by an intruder who likes and steals her clothing.  (Should we imagine he especially likes her underwear?  Probably.)  He uses the devices of literary fiction, describing how the man “moves closer and strokes her, whispering something in her ear so close she can feel his beard on her face.”  (Should we imagine he is whispering, “Vote for Mike Kavanaugh”?)  And so on.

His third paragraph delivers the big reveal:  “It’s not a random hypothetical derived to fit a narrative.”  It’s all true!  It happened!  (Even the whispering and the beard!?) The judge sets a bail of $50,000.

The fourth paragraph claims that next year the new bail reform law would require the judge to release the burglar, regardless of evidence and possible length of sentence.  No specific language in the new law is offered to support the claim.  We’re expected to believe it is accurate.

The fifth and sixth ask why the assaulted woman and the community should bear the burden of the man’s freedom before trial.  Mr. Croce writes, “Let’s be clear.  Mike Kavanaugh and other experienced prosecutors support responsible bail reform, but that reform, to be fair and effective, must take into account victims’ rights and public safety….This bill has many strong points, but it also has profound flaws that ought to be addressed . . . “

Have any specific flaws in the law been detailed in the letter?  They have not.  For that matter, have any of the “many strong points”?  They have not.  Serious readers might wish to be educated.  Instead, they are left confused and maybe fearful . . . and maybe a little entertained by the “narrative.”  Instead, they are left with the message that Mike Kavanaugh wants to have it both ways:  he’s for bail reform, he’s against it.  Win/win.  Just don’t try to pin him down.  Of course, readers are concerned and sympathetic about the ordeal of the woman whose home was violated.

Mr. Croce’s letter is straight out of the very familiar Republican playbook stretching back to Willie Horton and beyond.   The core of that playbook is this:  skip reasoned arguments backed with factual evidence.  Play up lurid stories likely to be scripted for Law and Order.  Make people afraid.  Blast the opponent as “soft on crime.” 

Have you gotten a robo call or push poll yet from Mike Kavanaugh’s committee calling his opponent, Dave Clegg, “soft on crime”?  You will.  Count on it.

Oh, right, bail reform.  I forgot we were talking about that.  Can’t get the image of the beard out of my mind.  Or the stubble, whichever.  Maybe that’s the purpose of Mr. Croce’s letter.

Publishing history:

New Paltz Times 10/2/19

Saugerties Times 10/2/19