To the Editor:
Second Opinion: Facts and Durham.
Martin, you read the websites I provided on the issue of a weapon cache and weapons confiscated in D.C. in the days before January 6, 2021, and they in no way altered your understanding? Instead, you cling to a year-old, since-corrected statement of the FBI, even though you say you "don't trust them?" I think people often need to believe as they do because it is useful to them, and we know that reason is not necessarily the source of belief. Argument is generally futile with someone of intractable conviction. Still, I persist. And no, I will not declare a “truce on January 6.” People won't be bored for long, some Republicans have started to get real, and truce is against my nature.
I understand, however, why you want that truce. After the RNC’s “legitimate political discourse” debacle, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell felt compelled to declare that January 6, "… was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next.” (emphasis mine) Kevin McCarthy then returned to his original position and called the Event a “violent insurrection.”
I was disappointed in last week’s LTTE from Ms. Walker. In response to her questioning the veracity of facts I had alleged (fine), I spent time assembling those and writing them up. Tenea at the Gazette was really helpful in making sure that the websites were easily readable. Walker’s response to those efforts, “I got caught up in the rhetoric in another letter to the Editor,” translated is “my beliefs are too useful to me to challenge them so I’m moving on, and my excuse is perfectly plausible.” Ooo-kay.
I really enjoy dialogue with LTTE readers, even though its Martin’s job (hence, “Letters to the Editor”) and he’s more than up to the task. Since the LTTE in question was addressed to me, I happily interjected myself. If, however, my ever-diminishing time is wasted with an airy “never mind,” the hope for serious exchange withers. LTTEs are a good vehicle for readers to share their concerns and observations with the Editor and community. Just be open, fair, and candid. We can respect each other's time and effort, no matter our political differences.
It is crossed-eye-inducing to read the John Durham motion in US District Court, D.C. Circuit, asking the Court to analyze a possible conflict of interest issue for cyber-attorney Michael Sussman (Durham being a Trump-era Special Counsel to determine whether the FBI’s investigation of the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia was overreach). In summary:
Sussman has been charged with failing to disclose a client in a meeting with the FBI in September 2016 after he shared “purported data and white papers” with the FBI and CIA that allegedly demonstrated a covert communications channel between the Trump Organization and Russia's Kremlin-backed Alfa Bank. The data was collected by Neustar, whose CEO was a friend of Sussman, under a contract with the Obama WH to monitor suspected data breaches from Russian-made smart phones. All data collected predated the Trump inauguration.
The data Neustar collected was Department of National Security (DNS) “lookup information.” DNS “lookups” are records that show that a certain IP address connected to another IP address on the internet. Durham's motion does not allege that the content of communications was the subject of “spying,” and in no way implicates Hillary Clinton or former President Obama in wrong-doing.
However, Tucky and Fox News staunchly endorsed the filing as proof that Trump was “right all along” in his claims that Hillary Clinton had spied on him and “hacked”” into the 2016 Trump Campaign. Durham’s motion alleges no such thing. The connection resides only in the fevered little brains of Tucky and Fox News.
“Your [self-proclaimed] favorite president!” embraced that fever and lamented the lack of the death penalty for those responsible.
Tucky and Fox News made it up for their grievance-hungry audience, as is their practice.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
On 02/15/2022 at 0900 hours I observed an elderly white male jaywalk across Central Avenue from a parking space in front of the old pool hall to La Fondita Restaurant in a clear attempt to disrupt and destroy our way of life using the “Anarchist’s Guide to Disrupting and Destroying Small Town America” by Robert Lewandowski. I called 9-1-1 to report the anarchist but the dispatcher started to ask me impertinent questions so I called Councilmember Lynn Edmonds but the call went to voicemail because clearly Ms. Edmonds was too busy brushing up on “Rules for Radicals” and plotting to “destabilize and tear down our culture and society” to take my call.
Or perhaps Ms. Edmonds was busy attending another tedious, but essential, county or regional district meeting the councilmembers must attend as part of their duties. Or perhaps she was reading thick, boring staff reports that conscientious councilmembers must study in order to make informed decisions at council meetings. Or perhaps she was volunteering with one of the many charitable and service organizations she supports. Or perhaps she was out in the community listening to the concerns of her constituents, especially our youth, the elderly, and those without reliable transportation who wish that there were public transportation that extended into Santa Clarita.
For the ironically challenged, yes, the first paragraph of this unsolicited letter is fiction. I was the elderly white jaywalker who just wanted a pan dulce from La Fondita, and Robert Lewandowski is a pro soccer player. I have known Lynn Edmonds for nearly 40 years. Two of her sons were my students when I taught at FHS eons ago. She and her late husband Bill have devoted countless hours to the service of this community. I might not always agree with her on every matter that comes before the Council, but her motives are unquestionably good. She advocates for the needs and the equitable treatment of those who often feel marginalized and unheard. Apparently this makes some feel anxious and uneasy.
There are five councilmembers for a good reason. Anyone who feels strongly about an issue should be encouraged to express their views and argue vigorously in support of their opinion, but making absurd, hateful, and hurtful accusations against someone who has given her life to public service is just wrong. It’s no wonder so few people of good will are willing to run for local public office.
Art Sandford,
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
As always President Trump was right! The mainstream media ridiculed him and so did the democrats when he claimed that the left was spying on his campaign and later the spying continued while he was president. Now finally the truth has come out, thanks to the long and diligent investigation of John Durham. It is even worse than we thought. The money trail leads back to Hilary Clinton and her campaign staff. Durham investigation has exposed a conspiracy of far greater magnitude than Watergate.
Never before in the history of the United States have we seen such blatant criminal activity on the part of the FBI and the Democratic National Committee.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Even though the fake news media has ignored the facts, judgment day is coming!!!
PS. If the DMC is capable of infiltrating a secure White House server, are they not capable of stealing an election?!!!
Huguette Johnson,
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
In the 90's under Clinton, Ukraine was coerced into giving up its nuclear weapons to Russia in order to enhance the security of the area. In return USA, Britain and Russia were to provide security assurance for Ukraine. As Clinton declared at the time, “ “This must not be a gesture.”
In 2018, President Trump was very aggressive against Russia by placing sanctions against Putin’s inner circle and top businesses along with a Russian bank. This was in response to Putin’s actions taken against Ukraine, the Russian cyber assaults and poisoning of an ex-spy. At the time some experts warned trying to squeeze oligarchs is unlikely to bring about a significant change in Putin's policies. These were lifted later in 2018 when Russia moved away from threats to Ukraine. In 2019, Trump sanctioned Nord Stream 2, the fourth pipeline providing oil and gas from Russia into Europe.
Three months into Biden’s presidency, in March, 2021, Russia began moving its military forces in and around Ukraine. In response President Biden indicated he would put in place sanctions in which to “deter” Russia from an invasion. President Putin of Russia wasn’t worried.
In May of 2021, Biden waived the Nord Stream 2 sanctions. While the pipeline has not been certified, it does not stop the flow of gas and oil from Russia into Europe. In fact Russia is the biggest exporter of wheat and ranks at the top for sale of crude oil and coal. China buys approximately 100 billion tons of coal each year from Russia.
It’s obvious Russia was not too worried about Biden’s threat of sanctions as on January 19, 2022, Biden commented a “minor incursion” would be acceptable.
In the meantime, Russia formed an alliance with China who has agreed to supply them with financial assistance in the event sanctions are imposed. In addition, Russia has set aside funds to get it through the implementation of any sanctions.
Yesterday, Russia decided they had the right to take the Dunbar portions of Ukraine, a sovereign country, based on the historical borders held by Russia over 70 years ago. The area Russia is interested in is the “bread basket” of Ukraine. It is the third highest importer world wide of wheat and corn. It also gives Russia better access to the Black Sea and its oil and gas deposits. In the night, Russia forces moved into Ukraine.
Last night, US Press Secretary Jen Psaki tweeted Biden would sign an Executive Order which would prohibit NEW investment, trade and finance movement by the US to, from or in the Dunbar region.
Today, Biden has returned the sanctions on the Russian banks and Putin’s inner circle of supporters. He has sanctioned trade by Russia in US and European markets. He indicated if Putin moved further into Ukraine additional sanctions could be put in place. He also said he was “mindful” of how all this will affect the inflation here in the USA.
Biden’s shutting down of the Keystone Pipeline, along with other orders to stop drilling for oil, moved us from being an energy independent nation. Without the placement of sanctions on the current flow of Russian oil and gas it will take some time for the placement of these sanctions to be felt.
Patti Walker,
Fillmore