To the Editor:
October 8, 2024
When one of the most famous things that a candidate for public office has said is that she “loves a yellow school bus,” we should believe her. Sadly, I fear I am too cynical when I struggle to do this. I do understand that we all say things we don’t mean. There are, of course, enough people who won’t vote for Donald Trump because he said he is going to be “a dictator on day one” – but what wannabe would let that slip? So, if 45 hopes to become 47, Trump’s supporters must understand what hyperbole is.
If Kamala Harris had said that yellow school buses are important, that would simplify the matter. However, if she had said that their drivers need to be worthy of our trust getting our children where they need to go, how many of us would actually trust her to get them there? Our Veep’s biggest achievement should not be that President Biden is still alive.
We the People need to understand that words and actions must be related. Also important: foreign leaders need to believe our leaders’ words. When Joe Biden has said, “Don’t!” how many leaders shook in their boots? Ever?
You may or may not like Donald Trump, but other countries’ presidents, etc. didn’t risk doubting him. When he said, “If you do X, I will place high tariffs on you,” they didn’t do X. We need a powerful negotiator to have our backs and our kids’ backs too.
When Kamala Harris was nominated to be Vice President, I saw that it wasn’t just the Biden family who needed to know that “de Nile ain’t just a river in Egypt” and that trouble was brewing. For many years, when the CA Secretary of State’s election booklet was delivered, whenever Ms. Harris had happened to sign her name to a proposition indicating that she was in favor of or opposed to it, she showed us who she was – even if she didn’t write those statements herself. Californians who read those arguments had a head start knowing her before the rest of the nation did. Now that the V.P. is recognized by all, many fail to remember what she said before she tried to move towards the right during this election. It should be obvious that this lady couldn’t win the Fillmore Rotary Club’s annual speech competition for high school students on her best day unless the goal of such a competition became to honor those who best obfuscate their message.
When our leaders say they want to “save democracy,” the people need to understand that we have a constitutional republic - not a democracy. Our leaders must be also be able to clearly state their plans – and not just “hide in a basement” or be willing to move unless so directed by a puppet-master.
If there is one subject most all of us can agree on, it is that Donald Trump is not controlled by anyone’s strings. He knows the direction he intends to go. He communicates his goals consistently. He is also surrounded by people of high character to keep him on the right path. The former President’s record for keeping his promises is also unsurpassed. Let that inform you when you vote! Donald J. Trump for President!
Respectfully,
Stephenie Thomas
Fillmore, CA
To the Editor:
Both Harris and Trump have taken vows to uphold the Constitution, but only Trump has said that the Constitution is optional if he loses the election.
Both have had experience in the WH and national government, but Harris did not foment a violent insurrection at the Capitol against a constitutional process as did Trump, who has intermittently admitted his “Big Lie,” rejected by all courts including SCOTUS.
Harris has published an Economic Opportunity document outlining her national proposals. Policy-Book-Economic-Opportunity.pdf (kamalaharris.com). Trump has a “concept of a plan” but laughably denies his source document, Project 2025, though his name appears in it 318 times.
Harris fights for the rights of women to insist on authority over their own reproductive health. Trump, an adjudicated rapist and self-proclaimed “p*ssy-grabber” who “moved on her like a b*tch,” promises that, “[women] will no longer be abandoned, lonely or scared. You will be protected, and I will be your protector.” Harris’ response was that American women don’t need Trump’s “protection,” they demand to be TRUSTED with their own reproductive health decisions, and not stand mute while politicians banter about just how much bodily freedom women should be allowed.
Both have extensive knowledge of law enforcement and the court system. Harris, as a long-time criminal prosecutor specializing in sexual abuse cases and corporate fraud and malfeasance, and Trump as a defendant.
Harris and Biden have demonstrated the political principles and will to support those in need, while Trump wants to legislate nationalized “Old Testament Christianity,” which the First Amendment forbids.
Harris and Biden are notoriously pro-Labor and Trump is anything but. He has praised Elon Musk for his willingness to fire people “at will,” suspend pensions, and spontaneously reduce employee rights. He has stiffed his own non-union employees for overtime. Trump despises anyone not wealthy, but only after they’ve voted for him.
Harris believes that our financial inequality can be improved, as it historically has, by increasing taxes on the very wealthy who magnificently benefit from the infrastructure for which we all have paid. In a democracy, a healthy capitalistic system requires a strong Middle-Class to flourish. Trump promises to renew his tax breaks for the wealthy.
Harris has never threatened opponents or endorsed a despotic leader. Trump has, frequently. Of course the Russian Invasion of Ukraine would never have happened, had Trump been president! He would have deferred to Russia at the first car backfire. All he has to do is appease the tyrant and, conflict over!
The rejection of Trump isn’t about political party any more. It is confounding that ordinary Americans, who otherwise ably function in our world, many of whom are known to me as intelligent, caring, and devoted Americans, still embrace Trump’s concocted persona, continuous lies, vengeful promises, and authoritarian prospect for our democracy, even after he has repeatedly disparaged military wounded and dead, and belittles “believers” in private. Democrats, some Republicans and Independents, recognize Trump’s ilk from history.
Maybe the base thinks it will land on the right side of Trumpism, whatever comes. But history shows that authoritarians have no loyalty once they secure power, unless the minions conform always, and completely. Trump has revealed many, many times, his lack of allegiance to others, even friends. Loyalty is a one-way street for Trump, in his direction.
Kelly Scoles,
Filmore, Ca
To the Editor:
October 1, 2024
As a teenager whose grandmother had lived with and later died from Alzheimer’s Disease – albeit before the public had a name for it – I remember that love required my family to take her car keys away before she got hurt – for starters. I later watched as my uncle and my dad, both of whom had lived public lives, were also diagnosed and eventually died the same way.
I began to recognize this horror as other family members began to manifest symptoms. I knew when one of my loved one’s time on this planet was drawing to a close - years in advance. I saw as other families had to make hard decisions. I eventually took a class offered by the Ventura County Ombudsman’s office and then watched videos to learn more.
These things helped me prepare my mother. As Dad’s full-time R.N. and caregiver, taking care of him was beyond demanding. Dad began taking miles-long walks without being willing to put on a jacket even in the worst of Ohio winters. The police couldn’t keep up with Dad, and they told us they hoped to be like him when they got older. All too soon, and way too late, however, they insisted that he had to be hospitalized: They couldn’t keep looking for him and bringing him home. That very day, when dad was taken away, Mom’s handwriting changed for the worse. She had held on in this capacity for so many years.
Then, Dad escaped from all three memory care facilities in which he lived. The first two both had to refer him to another home- each better suited to his condition. One time, Dad walked onto a busy six-lane thoroughfare. Thankfully, a dear family friend found him and was able to safely help him get into his car and back where he belonged.
Please understand, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone or his/her family. All this being the case, over four years ago, I was more than alarmed when Joe Biden ran for President. I saw what was coming. Certainly, he had more help than others tend to have. Frankly, his dogs knew something was wrong; and if they didn’t, well, the Secret Service members who were bitten did. The Vice President can’t be that vacuous.
When I expressed what I saw then, many people thought I was being political. Seriously, after the first Presidential debate this year, I had a hard time believing that anyone could still act as if they didn’t know. I knew that issues were far from being resolved and could not be fixed even if someone could replace him in an occasional Cabinet meeting. The lost and messed up paperwork, for one thing, could have created quite a mountain – even with a shredder. There was no way anyone who loved him should have been allowed to try to cover for him – for the President’s own sake - even if not for the country. Mr. Biden had no business holding the keys to the world’s most powerful nation - when many people didn’t know the truth. But now that everybody knows, and the 25th Amendment was tossed like paper wrapped around leftover fish, we have much bigger fish to fry.
Respectfully,
Stephenie Thomas
Fillmore, CA
To the Editor:
A Letter to the Editor: Response to Patti Walker
Letter to the Editor Sept. 27, 2024
Patti Walker’s letter last week partly confuses me. She chose to frame the November vote as between The Former Guy and his challenger, Kamala Harris, who, she claims, is hiding her identity from us in a cynical strategy to sneak into power. It’s a point that loses value daily as folks get to know the Harris/Walz policies better. (Are we pretending that the Democratic National Convention was not “must-see” television? An event in which all the moderate, sensible and responsible aspirations of many Americans were happily shared aloud?) Here, my Methodist friend, is what you profess not yet to know about her:
Kamala is a true Democrat ... a former CA attorney general… a former senator. [She is the disciplined, strategic, and modest opposite of her older, privileged, unfiltered male rival.] Harris supports reproductive rights for women, no apologies offered. She is for reasonable limits to gun ownership, because no limits mean continued assault rifle terror. She supports Ukraine, and the Constitution, and voter rights. She champions the middle class. And yes, Ms. Walker, thank you for mentioning the “landmark” Inflation Reduction Act. Thank you for being from Fillmore and representing us by your Christian values and obvious intelligence. So, do you see it? When you enthuse regarding how (wealthy) “private investors do it better than the government can,” that helps me make my best point: Fillmorites like us are mostly NOT wealthy private investors. We folks on a budget feel NO need to keep Exxon-Mobil’s corporate tax rate low at 21%, [Does Exxon even pay taxes?] Please do not feign dismay that you don’t know Kamala’s position on law and order. She was a prosecutor, for Pete’s sake! When you say, in so many words, “We don’t know what she stands for. What is she hiding from us?” I feel confused that you, a worthy patriot (no question in my mind), are disregarding the choice to be serious, and also fair-minded.
Respectfully,
Tom Somers
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
I recently had the pleasure of watching Tierra, a band that reached stardom in its heyday, in the Fillmore Theater. The group performed at a professional level not often experienced in a small town.
Each musician displayed their versatile talent playing their instruments and singing dynamic leads with all pitching in on wonderful harmonies! The audience hit the small area in front of the stage and made it a dance floor!
I have heard numerous other bands play in the Fillmore/Piru area but none that performed at the level of professionalism the band displayed on Saturday.
What I found a bit shocking was that the Fillmore Theater seats at the concert were mostly empty! Fillmore residents missed out on top level entertainment right here in Fillmore!
I chatted with Greg, one of the primary drivers of what I found out is an effort to bring back to life a theater that deserves to be restored and maintained as an iconic symbol of the past. Through donations and volunteer work, the costly restoration is slowly in progress.
The Fillmore theater has a related website, fillmoretowntheater.com where you can view up and coming events that can only continue with the public’s support. You can also purchase tickets to the events on the website.
I call out all Fillmore business owners, residents, local police and fire departments to provide support toward this restoration of what could be a midtown gem that all in the community can benefit from.
Lou Torres, a long ago resident of the area
To the Editor:
Martin, the Springfield accusation has been irrefutably debunked by people who actually know the facts. Your immigrant claim is based on race and is factually unsupported, and still you perpetuate the lies of the guy who will sacrifice Ukraine.
I am “fixated” on P/2025 because as proposed it is going to change our form of government. If you had read even part of it, you would know that much of it is not destined for legislation. Executive Orders will do nicely. So, like Nancy Pelosi, you recommend reading P/2025 AFTER it is implemented? Hint: it makes the government more powerful, not less, and it vastly intrudes into the private lives of families based upon governmentalized religion. “What if it’s brilliant” is like a city kid hoping for a pony at Christmas.
In a nutshell, P/2025 will make federal public employees “at will” to ensure only partisan presidential wishes are followed. It expressly proposes to dismantle most or all climate mitigation efforts. It will supervise women’s reproductive non-choices. P/2025 is essentially a framework for an autocracy, making the unitary executive the ultimate authority for every department, including Justice. Trump himself has said that there will be no need for his base to vote in another election. Elections and a peaceful transition of power will be unnecessary.
At recent rallies in swing states, Trump said of American workers, “I hated to give overtime. I hated it. I shouldn’t say this, but I’d get other people in. I wouldn’t pay.” Trump has magnanimously promised “not to tax overtime,” though P/2025 includes calculations to avoid it. Also, “To stop crime, you need one really violent day. One rough hour [of policing] and I mean real rough, the word would get out and it would end immediately.” MAGA listens and believes his lies, but ignores or laughs it off when he actually tells them how he will govern, use the police power of the state, how he views labor, and how he relishes violence to change minds. An aspirational Putin.
Another LTTE last week quoted the old Reagan trope, “Revenue is not the problem, spending is the problem.” Excellent conclusion to facilitate our growing imbalance in wealth between the lower/middle classes and insanely rich: let the poor assume the burden. But another prominent Republican assured that, “Reagan proved that deficits don’t matter” [in a Republican administration]. Fret not; the Republicans “have this covered.”
When there are numerous corporate billionaires who can buy $575 million-dollar super-yachts (and could buy 10 more) and send rockets into space, but homeless families are growing in number and many red states are legislating child labor, something has gone very wrong with our democratic economic system. The author laments the pesky “prevailing wage.” Would she work for less than she’s worth?
Your instinct about Trump selling out Ukraine is correct, Martin, but it comes from principle. The Bully Principle. Trump pretends he has the chops to move Putin against his own interests, while Putin’s eyes dance at Trump’s needy, undisciplined self-accolades, increasingly disturbing mental decline, and criticisms of our country, that reveal DJT is prime for the plucking. When Putin and Trump have met, Putin was the bully and Trump rolled over for a belly rub if not a “love affair.”
Ukraine is toast if Trump is elected.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
Letter to the Editor Sept 24, 2024
Much talk on various main stream media outlets is around why should voters want more information from Kamala Harris? Seems the only thing you need to know is she’s a bi-racial woman and therefore has earned your vote to represent you on the world stage. Currently she has failed to come out with how her various plans will work for you. We are told time and time again she will speak about her plans and policies in the days and weeks to come. In some places voting has begun so her confidence at keeping you ignorant is paying off.
Take her tax plan. She is pushing for a corporate tax hike from the current 21% to 28%. If you have a “C” corporation (structure that separates owners’ assets and income from the business) and the corporation makes $1.00 the corporation needs to set aside $.28 to pay the corporate tax. Now with $.72 left, you need to pay yourself, which you can do only by taking a dividend which she is going to tax at a rate of 33%, You walk away with $.48 and the government gets $.52.
Where is the encouragement to take a risk to grow your business under that structure? You’ll find there will be a halt to investing and hiring which could lead to layoffs. In addition, small businesses are the largest American employer yet they’ve been cutting jobs for the last two months.
Revenue is not the problem for the government. It’s a spending problem. The government brings in $4.5 trillion and spends $6.5 trillion. And, sadly, they’ve been reckless with our tax dollars. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (passed due to Harris’ breaking the tie) they spent $7.5 billion for 8 charging stations and gave billions to various intel business who are putting their hands out for more money.
There’s no question, private investors do it better than the government can. There’s a need to cut the size of government and reform the permitting process for growth to occur.
Case in point. Our local library would like to put a fence around the small concrete pad to allow for outdoor activities to occur. The cost to purchase and install is minimal. Yet due to the requirement to pay the prevailing wage the cost became burdensome.
Go figure.
Patti Walker
Fillmore
To the Editor:
Martin, (1) It is false that VP Harris or President Joe Biden have made threats or calls for violence against Trump or anyone else. However, to accuse Trump of representing a “threat to democracy” is not an incendiary lie. Read a summary of Project 2025 and note that Trump is mentioned over 300 times. Surprise! He is lying when he says he knows nothing about it. Tens of his former staff are allied with the Project.
Meanwhile, the Trump/MAGA Campaign regularly deals in dark promises of WWIII, retribution “like never before seen,” posters of bullseyes on then-candidate Biden, “bloodbaths” of whatever type, and keeping lists of his “enemies” with vows for their ruination. Even Republicans who disagree with him are vilified. Catholics and Jews “should have their heads examined” if they don’t vote for him. In a pathetic effort to once again heroically victimize himself, Trump claimed the would-be assailants acted on “inflammatory language of Biden and Harris.”
That deceit was exposed by Floridian Ryan Wesley Routh on social media. “While you were my choice in 2106 [sic], I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving. I will be glad when you gone.” It doesn’t remotely suggest Democratic inspiration. Thomas Crook in PA was a registered Republican. Simply put, the perpetrators were criminally disgruntled Trumpers but, as always, truth to Trump is an elective.
Speaking of making things up, consider the denied and debunked story “reported” by that fountain of politically bubonic statement, JDVance, and raised at the debate regarding Haitian “illegal immigrants” eating family pets and park geese in Springfield OH. Reliably informed that the racist conspiracy theory was a hoax, Trump and Vance doubled down. Anti-immigrant bomb threats followed in Springfield, schools closed, though fortunately no device was found. One source apologized to the community because her cat suddenly reappeared. He also defended his right to “make things up” in support of the MAGA cause.
Trump’s Campaign created posters with darling kittens imploring, “Don’t let them eat us.” Defamation of people, or incitement or threats of violence, don’t matter to Trump. Ask E. Jean Carroll or the mayor and governor of Springfield.
(2) Trump has made no secret that he particularly hates absentee ballots for absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters. Red State Montana’s 2024 overseas election ballot did not include a choice for Kamala Harris. It did include President Biden’s name, crossed out, so it is beyond an accident that Harris’ did not replace it. The MT secretary of state offered no explanation but said it will be corrected in paper absentee ballots. I wonder when Trump will lose his cookies at this “election interference.”
(3) If any woman is concerned about Trump’s election, “put your head in a bag” (Sen. John Kennedy, R-LA). Trump has proclaimed that after he is elected, “women won’t even think about abortion again.” This guy hasn’t a glimmer. No wonder that in real life he sees women as “nasty,” or as compliant, useful objects.
Kelly Scoles
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
I am writing to endorse Mark Austin for the Fillmore City Council. After serving over 9 years on the Fillmore City Council and 8 years on the Fillmore Planning Commission, I understand the passion and drive it takes to be a good servant leader who not only governs fairly by listening to their constituents, but also to stay ahead of the curve from state legislation which often encumbers and ties the hands of city officials getting their job done as a leader for the community.
I have worked with Mark for over 20 years between the Fillmore City Council and Planning Commission, and know firsthand of Marks dedication to the City of Fillmore and its residents. Mark Austin has a full understanding of how to get things done and work around the increasing red tape of local government. Mark is a dedicated and proven leader who knows how balance the needs of the residents, keep a balanced budget and still get critical projects done for the greater community.
Our nation, county and local cities are changing quickly and plagued with increased crime and lack of funding. Continuing this election cycle with strong and knowledgeable leadership is critical to ensure we are able to maintain and increase our quality of life in Fillmore. I have full confidence that Mark Austin will continue do that for the city we all love and call home.
Mark Austin has my full endorsement for the Fillmore City Council and I hope you will also vote for Mark to keep Fillmore the last, best Small Town in Southern California.
Diane McCall, former Mayor, City of Fillmore
To the Editor:
Martin, you asked with a presumably straight face, “Why do Democrats keep bringing up ancient allegations of Trump sexual crimes?” Because:
(1) he’s running for president and has a long history as an immoral sexual actor,
(2) “sexual crimes” are an indication of lack of character and the disdain with which he holds women. Trump has made sexual comments about his own daughter. He gave on-air permission to Howard Stern to refer to Ivanka as a “piece of a**,” and made other comments in the Oval about her physical attributes, to which Chief of Staff General Kelly objected. Google it. and, (3) the age of some of the allegations is irrelevant; observe the duration. It has long surprised me that a strenuous advocate for Judaeo-Christian principles makes endless excuses for this guy’s depraved conduct.
Any mention of “blood” by a potential world leader is worthy of scrutiny. “Bloodbath” can be used figuratively, but Trump is so immersed in “retribution,” “targeting” opponents, and dark threats of violence “like never before,” that no reasonable person would ignore his “dogwhistle “ language.
Furthermore, according to one close source, Trump has mused about re-introducing electrocution and even the guillotine for public executions. When asked about it, then-AG Bill Barr who was present said, “I don’t recall that specific instance,’ but there were others where we talked about executing people.” Trump knows well the often-thrilling effect of violent or lurid language on his base, and the predictable angry defense of “out of context” or “misinterpretation.” Can’t wait to hear him explain his Truth Social boast, “I Hate Taylor Swift!”
The accusations you shamelessly wave about the president and “Biden Crime Family” are old and tattered. Multiple Republican congressional hearings have adjourned for lack of evidence. But thanks for the laugh about the “Democrat [sic] varsity players down to the Democrat [sic] Little Leaguers, the bench is scabrously deep with serial sinners.” We are all “serial sinners,” Martin, but your starting lineup of Trump and Vance clobbers us from the warmup.
You still think women’s competency is limited to housework, but you may need to fasten your seatbelt. VP Harris did well at the debate, where she confidently spoke of the future of America, of policies and plans, while Trump bragged of a “concept of a plan.” Don’t worry your pretty little noggin, Martin, about her female sensitivity. Or the chance of her “kowtowing to China, saluting Russia, or bowing to North Korea.” That’s Trump’s “patent-pending” schtick.
Trump is an elderly, disgruntled, darkly self-obsessed, actor/salesman, all dolled up with anaranjado makeup and cotton candy hair, trying to recreate the glory days of his 1970’s gig as the king of NYC glitterati. He neither knows nor cares about the needs of the country going forward or an oath to the Constitution. He slaps on the girdle, puts on the shoe lifts, the extra-wide shoulder pads and eternity tie, steps on the stage, flashes the false teeth, and performs a one-man Macbeth. Hustling $100 cartoonish virtual cards of himself, bibles, sparkly hightops, and one last curtain call.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
Oddly, Trump has been unusually candid lately on essential issues (although still laughably denying his clear connection to P/2025 or accountability for anything else). For just a sample:
After a court plea last week to overturn his $88-million-dollar liability verdicts for sexual abuse/defamation of E. Jean Carroll in 2023, Trump, unprompted and “weirdly,” defended himself in graphic detail against an entirely different sexual assault case on an airplane that the court had not allowed into evidence at Carroll’s trial. Dozens of women have accused Trump of rape or sexual misconduct dating back to the 1970s, including his now-deceased ex-wife, Ivana.
Posting that VP Harris campaign donors “will not escape his retribution” if they participate in a 2024 “election steal, as they did in 2020,” Trump said they will be “targeted,” and “prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our country.” As he so often does, Trump projects his wrongful acts onto others, then threatens them not to do as he did.
In a video interview last week with Lex Fridman about the 2020 election, Trump admitted that, “I lost it by a whisker.” It is not the only evidence of “The Big Lie.” Several of Trump’s then-aides have confirmed that Trump knew he had lost. In a recent interview with Mark Levin on Fox, Trump said he “had a perfect right to interfere” with the election. Every court, including SCOTUS, has rejected Trump’s fraud claims.
Nevertheless, post-election, while his minions threatened selected elections workers, unsuccessful candidate Trump tried to shake down GA and other states’ officers for votes, directed an insurrection, hyped fake electors, GOP election deniers, and the base, in activating the false alarm of “Stop the Steal.” Nick Fuentes, Holocaust denier and White Nationalist friend of Trump, furiously accused Trump of “tremendous betrayal” and “callus [sic] indifference to the sacrifices that his supporters made on his behalf.” He suckered them all for his own ambition and to avoid jail.
Trump warned last Saturday that, “This may be our last election. You want to know the truth? People have said that.” Who has said it? Trump, repeatedly. It’s a P/2025 promise. The greatest victory that despotic leaders can have against the Free World is to arrest the heart of democracy, the vote, by inducing distrust of elections with a false cry of “voter fraud,” so that elections become unreliable and irrelevant, and alternate authoritative power can prevail to “fix the [unbroken] system.” The GOP, now thoroughly Trump’s Party has, since at least 2020, legislated extensively to constrain the votes of minorities, particularly in the South. MAGA has already embraced democratically-suicidal election distrust, without evidence, based solely on Trump’s knowingly false assertions.
Once faith is lost in democratic processes and principles, chaos and violence are increasingly likely, as is now threatened by the Far-Right Heritage Foundation: there will be a bloodless revolution [under P/2025], unless the Left resists). What the Trump Party plans is no mystery anymore. The facts can all be Googled.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
Martin, you asked, “Who would ever say such a stupid, irreverent thing? Not any Commander-in-Chief“ about Trump declaring that healthy Presidential Medal of Freedom awardees are superior to US Medal of Honor recipients who are bullet-ridden or dead. You wishfully insisted that the many incidents of Trump’s disregard for the military have been debunked.
General John Kelly, whose son is among those buried at Arlington, in a first-person account said that Trump, “thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs, are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me,” and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers,’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.” Because it was raining. The hair! The makeup!
Last week, “The Military Times” reported that Trump was attempting to create a campaign photo-op at Arlington attacking President Biden for the rapid Afghanistan withdrawal (a deal Trump negotiated). It is a federal crime to take campaign photographs in Section 60 (Iraq and Afghanistan dead) and Trump’s entourage had been formally so advised. Nevertheless, his photographer shot a picture with Trump smiling and giving “two thumbs up” over military graves in Section 60. A staffer enforcing the rules was roughed up by Trump’s “people” who threatened her as a “mental case” and demanded she be fired.
These are not obscure, trivial, and “debunked” observations of Trump. Why is it you want this man to be Commander-in-Chief?
But he’s not just a pretend patriot. Let’s give credit when due. Howza, howza! Step right up to collecttrumpcards.com where for only $99 each you can buy digital Trump Trading Cards, one which shows him “dancing,” one with a buffalo companion, and the comedic zenith with Trump reimagined as Adonis with rolled-up sleeves over arms that rival Schwarzenegger’s. Buy 15 of these babies ($1,500 dollars or bitcoin) and you will get one actual physical card.
Buy 75 ($7,500) and you can have dinner with the ex-president, not at Mar-a-Lago, but at his Jupiter FL hotel. Woo-woo!
You can also get a pair of super-rare platinum high tops, two pairs of $299 gold tennies (“a $498 value!”), some autographed, and (be still my heart)…a piece of his suit worn at the Biden debate and, for specially selected collectors, a piece of his red tie. Donold advises that these treasures can be passed down to eager generations to come. He’s already selling pieces of his stuff, like the relics of a saint, even before he gets to hawking himself to international despots.
This is how deep the grift goes with Trump. He claims to support the military for political purposes but has no respect for actual soldiers. He sells overpriced junk to his faithful base while claiming he will solve inflation within “the first 100 days.” And some people believe him.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
My sympathies, Martin. Sometimes older people view everything from the rosy nostalgia of youth, and anything inconsistent with it seems aberrant. Everything was better back then, the present is a catastrophe, the future hell. The human condition has always been one of challenge. I understand why the DNConvention traumatized you. It was an optimistic, joyful celebration of our American Freedoms going forward, as opposed to the “American carnage” of Trump.
The “Reproductive Rights” section of P/2025 reenforces that overturning Roe reflects the Far-Right position that women are not to be trusted to responsibly control their own reproductive functions. Even doctors are not considered qualified to assist in reproductive choices or emergencies. Someone is responsible for a pregnancy, and to MAGA, it must be the government. This is not Freedom.
Numerous horrifying cases of raped women and children, women with ectopic pregnancies, or spontaneous abortion, being denied care until the woman is near death’s door, or can reach another state, are legion. Criminalization of assistance is common in red states. VP nominee Vance has said out loud what many Republicans think: feminism has ruined America, and we need to get back to Old Testament authority. “Covenant marriage” should be endured, even if violent. Pregnancy from rape is an “inconvenience.” Childless women are “cat ladies” (and presumably Democrats) who want everyone to be as “miserable” as they are in society, and post-menopausal women are good for only one thing: babysitting. JD, a woman with a cat is anything but miserable. He knows little about cats, zayroh about women. But he mirrors P/2025.
P/2025 vows “to remove the terms abortion, reproductive health, and reproductive rights from every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation and piece of legislation that exists” so that even the language of reproduction is forbidden. It proposes eliminating condoms from Health Resources & Service Administration guidelines because they are “not women’s preventative service.” Women are culpable for their pregnancies, consensual or not, and legislation will ensure they can do nothing to prevent it, with contraception or condoms, or remedy it to claim their own lives. This is not Freedom.
The1873 Comstock Act will be revived so that mail-order abortifacients (mifepristone) or contraception will be considered “lewd and pornographic.” House Speaker Mike Johnson has called homosexuality “pornography,” and pornography will be outlawed. A State representative deemed transgenderism human “filth.” Books with sexual references, especially to “errant or excessive sexuality” will be banned. A Florida school pulled images of Michelangelo’s David because some parents considered it pornographic. This is what P/2025 calls “freedom.” This is not Freedom.
Many others of us believe Freedom is the right to live your own life without needless harm to others.
• You don’t want an abortion, don’t have one.
• You don’t want to use a condom, don’t, but make certain it’s consensual, and be prepared for the result.
• You don’t want to use a mail-order prescription for a chemical abortion or contraception, don’t.
• You don’t want to view books with sexual content, or don’t want your kids to do so, don’t.
• You don’t want your kids to learn actual history, don’t impose ignorance on our kids, too.
•You think Michelangelo’s David is pornographic. There are no words.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
I am hoping that Martin and space will allow two LTTEs from me this week. I am grateful for his prior indulgence. I do not want to ignore R. Shiells’ comments on Yahweh, or YHWH, because so few people know this term, and this happens to be one of my areas of interest.
In Exodus, when Moses met God in the burning bush on Mt. Sinai (Horeb in some traditions) and received the Ten Commandments, he was understandably concerned that the often-miscreant people fleeing Egypt would demand the source of his astounding story. In Exodus 3:13, Moses asked God’s name. God replied, “I am who I am,” often translated as “I Am Who Am,” expressed as YHWH. This tetragrammaton, meaning “four letters” was so holy, only priests could say the name. More common Hebrew names were also used by seculars, “Elohim” and later the Hebrew word “Adonai,” and “Kyrios” in the Greek Septuagint.
What’s amazing in Judaeo-Christian theology is that God – who does not need us – sought a relationship with us. Secular history does not say much about Jesus of Nazareth or of his ministry, but some historians make mention of a small movement challenging the authority of the Jewish Sanhedrin during the Roman occupation of Israel. St. Paul, who may be the greatest public relations guy in history, was instrumental in spreading Christianity to the then-existing western world. Once the “good news” of the Gospels found its way to Rome, it flourished and spread. It was a novel idea: the concept of a man/God who suffered and died so that God would forgive our sins and taught that we are all equal in God’s eyes. The message was revolutionary, and raised ordinary people to realize their innate worth. It was Spiritual Freedom.
The “tough love” of the Old Testament was surpassed by the loving God of compassion and generosity toward neighbors. Whether a person’s human life is rich or poor, king or servant, of whatever sexuality, wounded or healthy, prisoner or addict, they are equal in the eyes of God.
I don’t know if Ryan thinks my understanding is divergent from his on this subject. I think Christianity is the most humane, brilliant, and loving message of any religion with which I am familiar. The tough part is to practice it. But I acknowledge Ryan’s willingness to share his opinion publicly, and especially on this fascinating subject.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
How will you vote
In the unlikely event that the spirit of ignorance has dulled your lightning fast brain, the question was; 'how will you vote', not who or what will you choose to validate as your choice in the coning elections. Hopefully not you but very probably someone you know may be considering the option of refusing their opportunity to register and communicate their choice for governing authorities and agendas that benefit the people rather than an all powerful, assuming and consuming government. God said by the hand of Isaiah that His people fail through the lack of knowledge or understanding. Have you not yet recognized that by not voting you are voting for the continued progression of large government dictating every aspect of your lives?
The Marxist creed declares there is no god other than government and it must be controlled through whatever deceptive tactics are necessary for maintaining and expanding their totalitarian, egregious power over the people and their ways of life. Now is the time for you to make your decision and you will find there are consequences.
This election cannot be founded on personalities or political parties but must be based on principle. One side wants to rethink or change our Constitution. The same side declares they propose equity. This is a twisting of semantics because equity is not the same as equality. Equity equals conformity meaning that everyone gets what the government wants to provide, no matter how little. Equality is the opportunity to choose for ones self how much they desire to gain or achieve. Our Constitution is in place to guarantee the right of every citizen the pursuit of life, liberty and Justice. Your cannot afford to be a spectator as you watch the decline of our nation into conformity. Very quickly you will find you are drug out of the coliseum as a spectator and thrown into the mouth of the lions.
Stan Mason,
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
“Old Bone Spurs,” has called military dead “suckers” and “losers,” and pontificated that prisoners of war are not “heroes” (John McCain). Trump himself avoided service, and in 1998 said his “Vietnam” was not getting a STD in NYC in the 1970’s, for which he deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor. Google it. Last week produced another astoundingly dismissive comment on military service. .
The Trump Campaign has dusted off the Swift-Boat manual from the days when Naval Officer, multiple Purple Heart recipient and swift-boat captain in Vietnam (turned anti-war protester), John Kerry, ran for president against George W. Bush, whose service in the Air National Guard was rife with missed training and physicals, low pilot scores (but high ratings from superiors), and post-dated, altered, or lost military records to substantiate his claims of service to qualify for early retirement to go to Harvard Business School.
Chris LaCivita managed that shameful but successful campaign against Kerry in 2000, and he's back now as the co-chair of the Trump Campaign. The Campaign enlisted VP nominee JDVance to attack the military service of his opponent, Tim Walz. Vance served for four years as a marine “combat journalist” in Iraq. He saw little action, but the point is he gave a portion of his life to his country in the capacity assigned, and I thank him for his service.
The Campaign accuses Walz of the most serious military accusation other than desertion, that of “stolen valor,” undeservedly claiming military acts of war. It is outrageous and untrue, but it’s the way LaCivita, Trump, and Vance roll, and it has worked before.
However, the claim of “retiring as a Command Staff Sergeant” was rightfully called out. Walz had not completed the coursework necessary for that title. The record has been hastily corrected, and we all can use the reminder to scrutinize our claims.
Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has said of Congressman Walz, "He was there every single time we [veterans] needed him”….When the rubber meets the road, Tim Walz has been there." Joe Eustice, a Republican veteran of Walz’s battalion, said of Walz, "He was as good a soldier as you’ll find."
At his Bedminster Golf Club last week, Trump told a crowd that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is “much better” than the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to war heroes who are “either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead,” And this guy wants to be the Commander-in-Chief of our military forces.
Somebody out there, please, given his history and pattern of disrespect for veterans and even Gold Star families, explain why he should.
Someone described Trump as being “empty.” His childhood was devoid of love and affection, a crippling experience creating a desperate need for attention and gratification. His relationships are all transactional, truth irrelevant. Everything, everyone is useful only if they help fill his insatiable need. Our country, to Trump, is mere emotional collateral.
To all of you who served, and to your families who also served, thank you. Thank You.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor
In order for democrats to “save our democracy” they now urge us to vote for the candidate they installed without a single vote, after lying to everyone about the incumbents health, in order to prevent a primary that their non democratically elected candidate easily could have participated in, yet she made a clear choice not to. Additionally, followers must avoid critical thinking and not attempt to recognize or discuss that their candidate was polling in the single digits when she failed to become the Democrats presidential nominee in a much fairer appearing primary process 3 and a half years ago. So in their demented mindset, brought to them via the elite owned media which has been constructed to control the opinions of their lowly subjects (that’s us for the slow people reading this), and in the name of democracy, they must be compelled to ignore this rigged process for their latest supposed freedom fighter and avoid any critical thinking in favor of the usual face value approach. Then laughably, they tell us for the sake of the country, get out there and vote for this lady in order to “save our Democracy” despite the fact that she unquestionably and blatantly skirted around the democratic process with the help of the incestuous media apparatus firmly in the oppressors control. What an absolute clown world we now find ourselves in. Should we really have expected anything else from a portion of the populace that actually believes a child’s sex at birth does not determine gender (given they haven’t been aborted and had their tissues sold for science and profit)?
And all the while, the Kelly Scoles of the world, riveted to their boob tubes and National Propaganda Radio, with their world class Trump Derangement syndrome and confirmation bias, dutifully report the propaganda served to them on a weekly basis as if its the gospel without ever once apologizing for all the times they were dead wrong along the way. Jim Jones would not be infamous today without followers of this ilk, and when you look into the composition of his followers, the similarities are many. Truth be told, todays media would portray Yeshua himself (real biblical name is not Jesus by the way, but we can save that bait and switch for another day) as a crazed local carpenter guilty of spreading horrible disinformation that is deemed harmful and dangerous by their own pre-chosen lot of nefariously funded religious experts, who would then work to censor him and convince their devoted flock of seemingly lobotomized sheep that they were only doing so for their own good. May God (real biblical name is YHWH in case accuracy still matters) help us all.
R. Shiells
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
I have not read all 877 pages of the Heritage Foundation’s “Mandate for Leadership 2025 The Conservative Promise,” or the “playbook” for the first 180 days of the ”next Republican administration” drafted by Russ Vought, a former Trump OMB official and member of the RNC’s platform committee, or Heritage CEO Kevin Roberts’ book outlining Project 2025 (“P/2025”) which has been removed from publication until after the election because there’s no need to rile up the base this close to the election.
P/2025 is a dystopian rejection of the language and spirit of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. When word began to circulate what it was really proposing, every cable show except FOX analyzed it. Following the revelation, Trump passionately claimed ignorance about it and the people involved. In truth, he knows all the participants, has employed half of them in the WH, extols the Heritage Foundation, and is very much aware of the contents of P/2025.
P/2025 is the blueprint for a “second American Revolution” (“bloodless” unless anyone resists), a plan to alter government function, process, and authority.
1. Plans for an autocratic system that will remove safeguards inherent in the Constitutional “balance of power” between branches of government and give the president sole executive authority (“Unitary Executive”). It dissipates democracy (recall Trump’s promise to Christians that 2024 was the last time they would have to vote, after he “fixes” the system).
This is a decades-long plan (at least since Reagan). To create numerous truly dependable authoritarians, with Jerry Falwell’s help, they devised a hybrid of the church militant of Far-Right Christianity and Republican politics. A form of conservatism imbued with divine authority. Bingo.
2. To reward that base, P/2025 proposes to legislatively infuse varying levels of White Nationalism with “Old Testament Christianity” (where Christ’s admonition of Love Over Law is ignored for that of a vindictive, jealous deity). Legislation will define family structure in “covenant marriage,” force progeny over women’s reproductive rights, cultural rules, and the religious biases of the government. “Freedom” will be available only within those government-imposed parameters.
P/2025 proposes, within the first 180 days, to restructure the power and function of government. To reinstate Trump’s executive order regarding Schedule “F” (Biden rescinded it) and dismiss current non-partisan federal employees and replace them with vetted Republican political appointees in “confidential, policy-determining, policymaking, or policy-advocating positions.” There will be no contradiction of the Chief Executive (what Trump so admired about the dictator Orban). Vetting and training have already occurred.
P/2025 proposes the abolishment of multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Transportation Security Administration, whose functions would be eliminated, subsumed by other agencies, or privatized.
“Privatization” has been an objective of Republican economics. One definition of “fascism” is “the corporatization of government.” History has shown that placing governmental functions in the hands of chosen private entrepreneurs gives them greater power, produces less transparency, but creates wealthy political donors. All responsible to only the “Unitary Executive,” the single ultimate authority. Exactly why we fought the American Revolution against King George and WWII against Hitler and the Emperor.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
Martin, I hope you are writing The Great American Novel in your spare time, because it would be a shame to let your prodigious imagination be limited to mere Editorials. You do want everyone to practice your Old Testament Christianity and enforce it with laws (against same-sex marriage, parents’ choices for their children, women’s reproductive rights, suppression of studies of racism, etc.) no matter their personal beliefs. You vilify Putin, forgetting that Trump servilely compliments him at every opportunity, and you believe “depraved” Liberals are not qualified to govern in this democracy (shades of Limbaugh). Your talent is at its apex when you claim that Trump’s values are Judaeo-Christian. Just sayin’, fiction is clearly your genre.
Recently, Trump addressed “my beautiful Christians” to urge them to come out in droves for the coming election, but advised, “You won’t have to vote in four years, because the country will be fixed, and frankly, we won’t even need your vote anymore.” “Fixed” is outlined in Project 2025 on voting rights. Republicans everywhere were disbelieving, shocked, or made pathetic excuses. Google it.
Trump implied he would leave office voluntarily after four more years. “I did last time. I keep hearing… “he’s not going to leave” [see above].” Trump did not leave voluntarily at the end of his term. He instigated an insurrection against the certification process, still claims he was cheated, and is now saying that there won’t be a need to vote after 2024. He again called to purge dissenters from the Republican Party.
At the National Black Journalists Association last week, “macho-man” Trump at first refused to go on stage unless they agreed not to fact-check him (they declined), objected to “nasty” questions from “rude” female journalists who raised his past racial statements, questioned VP Harris’ racial heritage, and was pulled off early by his team when he began to implode.
Trump’s trash-talking America extended to the Biden Administration’s achieving the release of Americans and other prisoners in Russia. Biden managed to get allies to agree against their own interests in the negotiations. Trump lost his chance for that predicted “favor” from Putin and responded with his usual non-statesman like petulancy, and the MAGA House responded with a demand for yet another hearing. Meanwhile, Trump has refused to debate Harris on ABC as agreed.
Bullies often self-soothe by inflicting derogatory names on their opponents, but Trump has failed to stick one to VP Harris. For now, it’s her “low IQ” and her “cackle,” her full-throated and strong celebration of enthusiasm and mirth in laughter. She has optimism and hope for the country and our democracy (like FDR, JFK, Reagan, Obama, and Biden).
But Trump knows that, unless he can sell his base a menacing, apocalyptic view of our future without him, distrust and dismissal of their fellow Americans, and dispense with democratic processes like voting, the MAGA Plan will not succeed. Hope, optimism, democratic commitment, and laughter are the last things he can handle.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
As a former American History and Civics teacher, who has spent more than my share of time studying the US Constitution and the discussions that took place around it, I’m fascinated by the position of Christian Nationalists.
Before the Constitution was ratified and when they had every opportunity to write God and church into it, there were lengthy discussions about that very subject. And they chose not to. The very definition of deliberately.
For any Catholics out there, who think that when they were talking about Christians back then, they were talking about Catholics? I hate to tell you, they weren’t talking about you. My own ancestors, who were active in those discussions, are credibly believed to have sheltered the conspirators who beheaded King Charlie for his Catholicism. They still aren’t talking about you. So put that aside before it bites you.
What I find most fascinating is the fixation on the 10 Commandments. Not that there’s anything wrong with them. I believe in living by them. Unfortunately, your golden calf, Trump, thinks they are a checklist for what to violate. And they are in the Old Testament. Not the New Testament. You know, the one based on the teachings of the Christ.
If it’s Christianity you’re interested in, how about a little focus on what Jesus taught? Take the Sermon on the Mount, for example. There He gave us the Beatitudes. As a refresher, here they are for your consideration.
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right; they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful; they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of what is right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Now ask yourself. What is Christian?
Razor wire in the river or food for hungry schoolchildren?
Tax breaks for the rich or programs to support middle class workers?
Unrestricted pollution or care of the earth?
I would love to live in a truly Christian Nation. Christian in practice, not in empty proclamation.
Pat Collins,
Fillmore, Ca.