To the Editor:
Second Opinion: Experiment.
We are soon to discover if our nearly 250 year-old Great American Experiment can survive. Is it possible that the conditions in which we find ourselves now, as opposed to then, are such that at this time in history it cannot be sustained?
We get news fast and relentlessly, a tsunami of experience daily, and not all of it factual. Reading the paper and pondering some ideas and listening to other points of view have been largely replaced by quick-draw, instant-pot, fix-it, fax-it, rapid-fire, lions-and-tigers-and-bears! conclusionary decision-making. I think most people sense coming change, feel the increasing pace, and it is causing some brains to smoke.
A conspiracy-enthusiast talk-show radio host, Rick Wiles, warned that the Covid-19 vaccine is a “global coup d'etat by the most evil cabal of people on the planet in the history of mankind…" The medical establishment is “putting eggs” in people’s bodies which later “hatch into a synthetic parasite that grows inside your body.” He did not reveal the possible purpose of such a procedure. He apparently has a wide repertoire of such lurid ideas, and he is far from alone.
Kirsten Sinema (D?-AZ) clearly smoked the Democrats in AZ and has found the pot of gold which met her price. Joe Mankin (D-WV) is harder to understand. His state of WV desperately needs the help Biden's Plan is offering, and he knows after years of experience that the Republicans will not honestly negotiate anything. What appears as smoke may be coal dust.
John Eastman, a conspiracist and lawyer who authored the “Coup Memo” for Trump to convince Pence to reject the 2020 Presidential Election certified election results and send the results back to Republican-run state legislatures, is now attempting to whitewash his document. He now says he was merely “musing” on the possibilities and had no expectation that they would be implemented on January 6.
Shades of Sidney “Kraken” Powell and Rudy Giuliani whose defamation suit defenses were that they had no obligation to check the truth of any of their legal filings, and that, “no one would believe" their assertions anyway. They insist that their phony election claims were made to render the Mad King “happy” so he wouldn’t “explode” at them, the Truth be horse-whipped. Then Trump inspired and directed others to attempt to take by force what he himself could not attain at the ballot box.
Trump is creating a new free-speech social media network, Truth Social, the purpose of which will defy the “tyranny of Big Tech,” and will promote, “open, free, and honest global conversation.” The extensive Terms and Conditions (T&C’s), however, will prohibit users from statements that, “disparage, tarnish, or otherwise harm, in our opinion, us and/or the Site.” Users are advised that they must not “annoy” any of the site’s employees. As always, it can't be the Truth if it annoys the Donald.
What do these examples have to do with a rapidly-changing world where long-held assumptions or beliefs are being challenged? I think many look for solace to the past, our place in it, and the possibility of restoring it. We may want God to “come down” and control the unruly, or elect some strong-man who will make us feel secure by representing that he alone can hold back history with “America First.” People can be encouraged to believe things that are patently untrue, unreasonable, anti-democratic, or bizarre, as a port in the storm around us.
We have allowed ourselves to be divided into opposing uncooperative factions for race, religious beliefs, financial status, political affiliation. Our Constitutional Republic can become easy pickings if we do not steady ourselves and put a premium on the Truth.
Some political leaders here and elsewhere know that our greatest strength, our unity in will, is being threatened. They will happily take advantage of that. It will ease and expedite their objectives as we cannibalize ourselves over our prejudices, biases, fears and differences.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
In case you weren’t able to make it to the council meeting last night (10/26) and didn’t watch it online, a decision was made and there has been an appointment to fill the seat left vacant by Ari’s passing. After interviewing 12 applicants, Simone Alex was selected to become our next council member.
I want to congratulate the city council on a job well done. There were 6 questions in all. Each applicant was asked to answer the same set of questions. After all 12 applicants had the opportunity to respond, the council members each named their top two picks. There was some overlap, so the applicants whose names came up the most went on to the next round. This continued until it was down to two applicants.
It was a tough choice but Simone was selected by three of the four council members. When it was motioned that Simone be appointed, the vote from the council was unanimous. I want to thank each council member for working together as a team; putting the good of the city over politics and making a selection they could all agree on. The actions of our council last night was commendable and admirable and just what Fillmore needs at this time. Thank you, council members, for being united and helping our community through this process.
I’d also like to commend each of the applicants. If you haven’t been in that position, you can’t know what it’s like. The pressure is on and you have no idea what questions you’ll be asked. The council members came up with some very solid questions and the applicants all did well. Some stand-out responses were given and, as a citizen, I want to thank and congratulate each of the applicants. I’d also like to second what council member Lynn Edmund said at the end of the meeting; each of the applicants who cared enough to put themselves forward should continue to involve themselves in the process of leading our city. We have a wonderful community of people who love our town and we need more citizen participation.
And, finally, congratulations to the newest member of the Fillmore City Council, Simone Alex. I presume that she will be sworn in at the next regular council meeting on November 9th.
Tim Holmgren,
Fillmore