" A Simple Tale of Two Men", Letter to the editor, Tom Denton

These two youtube vignettes tell Americans all they need to know about the characters of the two presidential candidates.  The first, from 2015, showing Donald Trump mocking a disabled reporter, previewed the cruelty, bullying, and theatrical narcissism that have defined his time in office. 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX9reO3QnUA    

 

The second, from last week's Democratic convention, records a brave, stuttering 13-year old boy describing how Joe Biden befriended him and, drawing on his own experience as a lifelong stutterer, gave him tips on how to meet his challenges. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S828vjO1m4g   

 

We American parents who have raised and protected our own 13-year old children can  ponder the importance of policies, judges, war, safety, justice as we measure where the character of one man has brought us after nearly four years.  With which candidate would we entrust our children's future?

Publishing history

 

Columbia Register Star/Hudson Valley 360          8/24/20

Northern/Southern Dutchess News   8/26/20

"The real election fraud", Letter to the editor, Tom Denton

 Imagine you are the President of the United States with all the powers the office gives you.  Looking ahead to the November 3 election, would you: 

1. Denounce the election’s results, before votes were even cast, claiming they would be fraudulent and unacceptable?
   
   
2. Appoint a crony as Postmaster General, who promptly and systematically shredded the Post Office’s ability to process the many millions of expected mail-in ballots?
   
   
3. Use the threat of this shredding as a bargaining chip to negotiate the dollars of government COVID relief precipitously downward?
   
   
4. Promise to the nation your commitment to protect the legitimacy of our democracy’s sacramental rite and respond to any challenge or obstacle?  Assure Americans afraid of out-of-home voting that they’d be able to vote safely at home with COVID 19 as the ever-present threat?  Announce with congressional leaders of both parties the release of whatever funds were necessary to assure secure and reliable mailed-in ballots, ample sites for early voting, and well-equipped stations and workers on Nov. 3?                        

The right answer, of course, is 4) because you took the oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution,” and, by extension, the American people.  But if you believed you’d lose a free and fair vote, you’d choose 1), 2), and 3), like the tinpot dictators of other nations we criticize when they undermine their own countries’ elections.  Bad Belarus.  Nasty Russia.

Donald Trump.  Wannabe dictator. Loser.  Americans who want to keep their republic must demand that Congress appropriate funds to support the Post Office for its November 3 responsibilities and beyond.  Otherwise, prepare for the dissolution of the country we thought we had.

Publishing history

Daily Freeman     8/21/20     Shawangunk Journal     8/20/20, Hudson Valley One   8/19/20

"Sour grapes" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

Anyone who has gone through K-12 is familiar with the “C” student who gripes when hearing that another one got an “A”.  “What’s so great about that?  It was an easy test.  I would have aced it blindfolded.”  But of course, he didn’t take it. 

So Mike Martucci, candidate for NY Senate District 42, griped when hearing that a bill of his opponent, Senator Jen Metzger, passed the legislature.  That bill requires the Public Service Commission, for the first time,  to study closely the regulations and guidelines that have inhibited the expansion of quality broadband services to rural areas and to report its findings to the governor in a year. 

Martucci says, “People … don’t need another study to tell them they don’t have access to broadband services, they need action.” 

He has it backwards.  The Commission’s analysis is necessary for future responsible, targeted budget proposals for broadband. 

Metzger has record of accomplishment for her constituents.  Martucci earns a sour “C.”

Publishing history:

Times Herald-Record             8/1/20