To the Editor:
A response to a letter from Tess Allen (see letter June 15,2023). In reading your letter I wanted to say to you that I'm very proud and honored to be "positioned" and brought up in a "traditional Family". And yes, I'm white, Republican, and very much "likely" a member of a Christian Faith. Yes, I realize there are problems in families, but there is always a cure. Marriage is between a man and a woman and is ordained of God and, marriage is essential to God's plan. Success and happiness in the home is most likely to be achieved when the family is founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These include faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and of course wholesome recreational activities that allow just being together. A great religious leader has said no other success can compensate for failure in the home. And another has said the home is a place to save society. You're right about the declining percentages etc. but the answer to your question is that many foster a variety of personal lifestyles, often driven by fun, freedom, and self-fulfillment, "As long it doesn't interfere with my career and personal interests then I'll marry and even have kids." This shows a focus on interests outside the home and family. The attributes that build successful marriages and families are sacrifice, love, consideration commitment, service, patience, endurance, and fidelity. They are often not found in declining relationships. Another leader has said, small storms, which everyone has to face in life, cause families to fall apart quickly in today's world, where almost everybody thinks they should be able to get everything they want without consideration of consequences. People get more and more selfish and less and less content. Not only do we need to rebuild trust in the value of marriage and family, but also faith in God.
Now your subject on LGBTQ+ and pride month. All this week I have been hearing about pride month, this LGBTQ organization, etc. Well perhaps, maybe the reason why you are seeing a rise in anti-LGBTQ is that it's getting pushed on a lot of people. If you want to live your life that way, great, but keep it to yourself and don't feel you have to flash it around. By flashing around I mean the deal with the nun sisters at Dodger stadium. That was a blatant disrespect of a person's faith and religion, and especially our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The pushing of rainbow colors for children's clothing, drag queens dancing here in town in front of our children who have not yet the ability to clearly discern this subject matter. Then there are the transgender pictures on Bud-Lite containers; why does everything have to portray LGBTQ+? Why can't we just enjoy Bud-Lite because it's a beer. And one more thing, why bring outsiders in from out of town? If you have a problem with the mayor and his decision on pride month, bring it to the council and then respect his office as mayor and his decision with the sustaining vote of the council. Sometimes the answer is just no because it does not uphold everyone's viewpoint. Go ahead, have your party, pay your fees for a group area at the park or wherever and enjoy being with others who are your equal. Or, if you really want to be noticed, give service in town or something. So in regard to your statement why we celebrate pride? If we lived in a world where all people regardless of intersecting identities were accepted, celebrated, and treated with equity and respect we would not need a month of pride. And you're right it just agitates; we should all be able to work together to find compassion and peace. So, with that, it could be a 2-way street. 2 wrongs don't make a right. If you want respect, give it. Don't push your lifestyle on others especially on the little kids and youth and not degrading religion. Parents have the right to teach their own children what they believe without society interfering. When a parent no longer has the right to teach, the whole family structure is wasted.
Anonymous,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
The worldâs oldest satirical publication, The Harvard Lampoon, founded in 1876, has ceased publication. Per editor-in-chief Dinsdale Piranha, âWe give up. We just canât compete with the Fillmore Gazette.â
The little known Fillmore Gazette, long rumored to be a mouthpiece for George âSpiny Normanâ Soros, published an editorial on June 15, 2023 that Piranha cited as the last straw. The piece read, in part, âThere are several trustworthy Republican presidential candidates today, but only Donald Trump can save the country right now.â
Lampoon publisher Doug Dinsdale also lamented the demise of his magazine. âThe irony is dead. Long live the irony.â
Art Sandford,
Fillmore, CA
To the Editor:
Itâs Juneteenth as I write this. It is my birthday. I remember lamenting to my father that nothing of any historical importance happened on the date, and he told me about Juneteenth. It was a fascinating event in 1865 when TX finally discovered the 13th Amendment had freed the slaves. When I later bragged to others about the links of June 19, no one had ever heard of it. Things have changed and it is a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery. Oddly, it is an affront to some people.
Far-right podcaster Charlie Kirk declared the holiday as a ânationalized race hustle, proclaiming, âNow we have a full day to be able to smear and slander White America,â he proclaimed. He apparently is unaware that Black Americans can celebrate the freedom of their ancestors and not give a darn whether White America approves. Relating historically accurate observations is neither smear nor slander.
Kirk declared that Juneteenth was âa middle finger to the promise of 1776,â and Black Americans âhave to choose.â He questions why Black Americans need to have âtheir own national independence day.â Because their Declaration of Independence did not occur on July 4, 1776, Charlie. They were not free. The last slave freed was a Texan on June 19, 1865.
Kirk lamented, ââWe used to have a red, white, and blue independence day on July 4th. Now, we have one based on the melanin content of your skinâŠThese people will not be stopped unless you say âno moreââ he warned. Appeasement does not work.â Talk about âwhite privilege.â
I am not familiar with Charlie Kirk. Maybe heâs not very bright, he certainly never took a class in logic and likely not in American history, either. He blames Black Lives Matter on Juneteenth, ignoring that it is a term referring to police brutality against Black communities. He does not know that the system of slavery in America, one of the last countries to discard it, was exactly based upon the melanin content of a personâs skin.
If someone is offended by the celebration of this holiday you might consider picking up a book on what slavery was like to understand the great joy and wish for celebration in learning that you and your people are free. Donât want to read, treat it as a celebration of my birthday. You will feel much better.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
On Friday, June 16, 2023 One Step A La Vez held a Pride Party between the hours of 1-4pm, where a Drag Queen Performance was performed for the kids.
I wanted to alert the Fillmorians about this as I feel like most would not agree with the sexualization of our âat riskâ kids. I also feel that holding such an event when most parents work is unacceptable.
This is what I posted to several groups on Facebook and Next Door:
âAre you okay with a program meant to help âat riskâ youth, celebrating pride month, with a Drag Queen show?? Because a local program here in Fillmore did just that!
This agenda is being pushed hard here in Fillmore and I wanted to share some stats:
Per UCLA 2022 study:
Only .5 of our entire countries 334 million populous identifies as LGBTQ
Daily Science shared a study showing 2% of youth are in gangs
CDC published a study proving 1 in 36 8 year olds have an autism spectrum diagnosis, in CA 44% of 8 year olds have a diagnosis
I share these numbers because gangs are a way bigger issue with youth than those identifying as LGBTQ. Why isnât an after school program designed to help troubled youth, placing their focus where itâs really needed??
Having a child on the spectrum, I can tell you that the majority of spectrum disorder kids donât feel right in their bodies⊠that doesnât make them trans, but does make them a target for this trans agenda!
On a personal note, my son is on the spectrum and was lead to believe he was bisexual in high school. He is now in his mid-twenties and is definitely NOT bisexual. The sad truth is he would have done anything to âfit inâ somewhere in high school.
We are sexualizing our kids and I think itâs time we stop and start allowing our kids to just be kids.
What say you??
**before you âhateâ on my post, please know that I donât care what you identify as, you do you and Iâll do me. Iâm not homophobic and was supportive of my son when he thought he was bi. This post is NOT an attack on people who are LBGT but rather an attack on those who are SEXUALIZING OUR CHILDREN. I would be equally against female strippers performing for youth.â
The next thing I know Iâm getting messages from people via Facebook Messenger who wanted me to send them my post as it had been removed from the Facebook Group: Fillmore Community News
Sadly, Iâve come to realize that City Council Member Albert Medez, who was present at the event at One Step, is also one of the moderators of the Fillmore Community News Group.
I feel a city council member should not be allowed to be part of censorship, harming our number one right, Freedom of Speech!
Dawn Marone,
Active Clean & Green Recommendations Link Private Wellness Community
To the Editor:
The tragedy that is Donald Trump is almost Shakespearean. A man who has avoided responsibility for his many personal, business, and constitutional transgressions, is also such a âstable geniusâ that the indictment evidence is largely his own words. Many of the witnesses are former Trump advisors and allies sworn to tell the truth.
The 49-page indictment, available on-line, contains 37 counts against Trump and co-conspirator Walt Nauta, and is stunning in its specificity and includes quotes, not just allegations.
Trump involved his attorney, Evan Corcoran, in unwitting, possible criminal liability himself, thereby piercing the attorney/client privilege and increasing his own vulnerability. Hardly King Lear, but his inability to recognize and honor any truth beyond his own self-interest will conjure disaster.
The indictment does not cite unknowing or accidental possession of classified documents as criminal, but concludes that Trumpâs retention and refusal to return all the documents after repeated assurances and a warrant, moving boxes to avoid discovery, and lying to the FBI about it, constituted âobstruction of justice.â Violation of the Espionage Act occurred in willful retention of national defense information which was found at Mar-a-Lago. And there are tapes.
According to a report from the Washington Post, Trumpâs allies were stunned when the indictment was much more detailed and damning than expected, and clearly showed that there would have been no significant issue if Trump had simply listened to his lawyers.
Trump, ever the victim, predictably whined that he is being âpersecuted like the world has never seen.â He attacked law enforcement and claimed political conspiracy and oppression, and âelection interference.â
The far-right media exploded with calls for violent retaliation and abandonment of the rule of law. I am not going to repeat here the anti-democratic expressions of hate and threats of terrorist brutality I read. We will see what happens at the arraignment on Tuesday in Miami.
Clay Higgins (R-LA) tweeted, referencing military-grade maps and alluded to taking over âbridgesâ before the arraignment. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) tweeted, âWe have now reached a war phase. Eye for an eye.â His Republican colleagues remained predictably silent.
Trump will have his day in court as does any defendant, unless he takes a plea deal to avoid incarceration. But that would require admitting crimes, something someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder cannot do.
Except for blame, everything else is his: women, crowd size, storm projections, elections, classified documents, legal expertise, reality.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
Upon reading a published submission to the Fillmore Gazette, I feel it is exigent that I write this letter.
In the submission, the author referred to a âtraditional familyâ - I wonder what that means? One can assume this person is positioning a traditional family with a mother, father, and their biological children, not to exceed a certain number, most likely white, most likely Christian.
According to a 2020 study by the Pew Research Center, family structure is changing dramatically. The age of first-time mothers has increased as more families are waiting to conceive for a variety of reasons. The number of children per household has declined from 3-4 children in the 1970âs to an average of 2 children in 2020, and the instance for single-parent households has risen to 23%. For those ages 18-49, 44% have stated (also in a Pew Study) that they are not looking to have children at all.
Census Bureau data show a decline in two parents of opposite gender families raising biological children. Children may be raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents or stepparents. They may be married or unmarried, straight or gay.
So, we have older mothers, less children, a higher instance of single parents, a greater number of people not having children, as well as non-parents raising children.
From there, how can we conclude what a âtraditional familyâ is?
It is obvious in their timing that the author is speaking directly to June as LGBTQ+ Pride month. LGBTQ+ Pride is celebrated in June as remembrance, honoring the Stonewall riots that started a movement for LGBTQ+ equality. Tragically, we are seeing a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment throughout Ventura County and our nation in general.
Proclaiming June as Pride Month for the LGBTQ+ community in Fillmore is a way to show support for the human rights work that this population has accomplished so far. Raising a Rainbow Flag is a way of showing solidarity with this marginalized community of your city that so desperately needs it.
Some question why we celebrate Pride. If we lived in a world where all people, regardless of intersecting identities were accepted, celebrated, and treated with equity and respect, we wouldnât need a month of Pride. But we are still in a society that judges a person not by the actions they may take but by who they love, where they worship, and clearly what their family structure looks like.
To wit: Pride is important because someone in your city still feels it is better to be dead than to be gay.
With Gratitude,
Tess Allen, Executive Director, Diversity Collective Ventura County
To the Editor:
Martin, it was curious to read last weekâs Editorial wherein you proved my satirical point while you declared it a waste of time. First, I did not suggest banning all guns. I addressed the use of military-style weaponry, specifically the AK-15. Second, when a state, as did TX, legislates âpermitless gun ownershipâ it is in fact endorsing universal ownership of the favorite civilian weapon of mass death, the AK-15, as well as other gun styles.
You align with several elected MAGA Republicans who have noted that the âregrettableâ slaughters are âcollateral damageâ to the âfreedomâ of gun ownership. Schoolchildren and people in public places lose the right to their peaceful freedoms and assume the risk of being killed or enduring ubiquitous armed guards, like a police state. Anything but assign blame to the obvious underlying issue of unstable, violent, or entitled people with military-style rifles, no background checks or license required. And you defend this inequity as essential to America. God help us.
Another subject. Republicans distressed by the âwokeâ cancel culture of the left see no irony in their own hypocritical efforts in that regard. First, there was the successful boycott of Bud Light, then Target, for their product wokeness. Then far-right wailings resounded when it discovered that Chick-fil-A has hired a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion director.
Morgonn McMichael, who writes for Turning Point USA, a far-right student organization, is grieving. Reworking a far-right slogan, âCancel culture is toxic and needs to be canceled,â she nevertheless called for a boycott of the conservative faith-based fast-food restaurant. She identified Chick-fil-Aâs diversity officer as, âone of the most pressing issues concerning young conservatives today.â
She has taken her lust for fried chicken to a rival establishment, because Chick-fil-A is, âno longer the Lordâs chicken. [Itâs] actually the woke chicken and Iâm really upset about it as a Christian woman. All we wanted was some good fried chicken so now weâre gonna go to Caneâs...â
Between guffaws and savage delight, some social media users pointed out that Raising Caneâs Chicken Fingers was named one of the best places to work for LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign and was one of the first companies to offer domestic partner benefits to its employees.
Which leaves Morgonn with a big clucking problem.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
The State of TX has found a solution to the issue of rampant school shootings and the bloody deaths of little kids and their teachers. As the adults are unable to address and solve the problem, TX has decided to place the burden of saving children on the children themselves.
In Dallas, TX, pre-school and elementary students were sent home with a book explaining how to survive school shootings. Produced for law enforcement, the book is titled âStay Safe,â with the subtitle, âIf there is danger, let Winnie-the-Pooh and his Crew show you what to do: Run Hide Fight.â
The book features characters from the AA Milne classic located in the Hundred Acre Wood who warn: âIf it is safe to get away, we should RUN like Rabbit instead of stay. If danger is near, do not fear, HIDE like Pooh does until the police appear. If danger finds us, donât stay, run away. If we canât get away, we have to FIGHT with all our might,â accompanied by an illustration of Kanga and Roo wearing boxing gloves.
Kids, you may notice that no mention is made of any obligations of the adults of TX to secure your protection because they are committed to universal ownership of military-grade weaponry. So, you will have to fend for yourselves, because âfreedom.â But you can forget about the boxing gloves.
Video of police officers at Uvalde who finally confronted the AR-15-armed shooter and entered the classrooms to witness the slaughter, rushed out to vomit and sob at the scene. So, let Winnie-the-Pooh help you save yourselves, children, otherwise you could become broken, dismembered, ground meat, or live your life forever crippled by the memory of the slaughter. And your parents would be very upset and demand gun control action.
While you are studying how to survive a massacre, the TX legislature is considering increasing school security features, including armed guards patrolling your school hallways. Donât let it bother you, just pretend they, too, are from the Hundred Acre Wood.
Unfortunately, little ones, debate over real gun reforms, like mandated universal background checks, restrictions on military-style semiautomatic rifles, or a reversal of the state's recently enacted permitless carry law, will not be of legislative concern. But you do have a free book.
And kids, thoughts and prayers in advance.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
âThe validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.â Section 4 of Amendment XIV to the U.S. Constitution.
Instead of going onto Australia, Biden has decided to return home after the G7 meeting in Japan to deal with the budget crisis. A wise move as Treasury Secretary Yellen has indicated the U.S. may run out of money on the first of June, or maybe sooner.
The budget passed by the Congress allows for the debt ceiling to be raised by $1.5 trillion to $34.4 trillion, and remain at $34.4 trillion, until March 2024. This is one portion of the budget that is a no-go for Biden and the democrats. The democrats have indicated they want an increase of $6.8 trillion.
Republicans want to push discretionary spending (this doesnât include Social Security or Medicare) to 2022 levels and only increase it one percent a year for ten years. Biden wants to increase discretionary spending 9.4% plus add the one percent for ten years.
Republicans want to reduce the deficit over ten years by $4.8 trillion and Biden wants to reduce deficits by $2.8 trillion in that same period of time.
As talks, which Biden refused to hold until recently, breakdown, Biden, Yellen, and many democrats are pushing for the use of the 14th Amendment to allow the Treasury to borrow above the debt ceiling.
The 14th Amendment doesnât say the U.S. should borrow more to pay its existing debts, but to pay from existing revenue. Currently the revenue the government takes in is much greater than its debts so this is doable. Only Congress has the power to raise the debt ceiling, not Biden. The Amendment also doesnât say Congress must raise the limit to pay on current or future debt.
I hope all parties come together to create a budget that is fiscally responsible, will protect future generations and allow for the economy to sustainably grow.
Patti Walker
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
I wrote a LTTE mocking Martinâs apoplectic musings on what he imagined is in the Durham Report (DR). The DR revealed plenty of reasons for the FBI to reasonably suspect that the connections of Trump, and his circle with Russia indicated that illegalities were occurring. The DR investigation produced two acquittals, and his final observation was that the investigative process could be improved. What he did not find were voodoo political conspiracies with which Martin is so obsessed.
House Republicans are holding hostage the American economy to slash assistance for low-income citizens and protect the permanent adoption in 2025 of Trump Tax Cuts for the âyacht and private planeâ wealthiest among us, without cost offsets. This will add approximately 3.5 million dollars to the deficit over 10 years, when a future Democratic president can deal with it.
You may recall that not once did Republicans contest Trumpâs massive increase in the national debt, let alone hold the country captive for it.
Usually, when more money is needed, another stream of income is the logical solution. But for Congressional Republicans, additional taxes on the wealthy are âoff the table,â so the rest of us will pay. They are scouring âdomestic discretionary spending,â or programs that help those in need, such as food assistance, childcare, housing, and project Head Start. House Republicans endorse deep cuts to services desperately needed by their own constituencies (e.g., Medicaid) and still retain their vote. Suicide by politics.
The Covid emergency protections have expired. The proposed Agricultural Appropriations bill reduces support for fruits and vegetables under WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program, affecting 1.5 million pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women and 3.5 million children aged 1-4. The government owns your pregnant uterus but has no obligation towards the forced gestation.
McCarthyâs shameful defense of âwork requirementsâ for various government assistance programs ignores that most people in those programs are already working, taking care of elders or children, or physically unable to perform significant work. In his posturing as a âwork is goodâ salesman, his eyes were dark and dead. The point is not âWork.â It is to increase bureaucratic red tape and discourage applications of people qualified for assistance.
Aside from the cruelty, why are the poor getting poorer, the homeless population increasing, people in multiple jobs just to live? Because the wealthy are not paying proportionally to receive the benefit they get from the tax dollars of ordinary people. And that is fine with the GOP and the faithful Republican vote.
Kelly Scoles
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
Last week, May 17, I read an article online on the Dailywire that may be of interest to you. At their June 16 home game, the Los Angeles Dodgers plan to present a "Community Hero Award" to a drag queen group called "The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence." As their name suggests, the group mocks Roman Catholic nuns. The group's slogan is, "Go forth and sin some more!," and members of the group go by names such as Sister T'aint A Virgin, Sister Risque of the Sissytine Chapel, and Sister Edith Myflesh. The Dodgers, in cooperation with LA Pride, plan to present The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with their Hero Award during the team's "Pride Night" celebration prior to the June 16 game.
As I've said before, just about the time that you think you've heard everything, something like this comes up. This is what happens when the truth of God's word is replaced by the perverse inclinations of the world. (Romans 1:18-27) But what else can one expect when people leave God? What else can one expect when the US Navy uses a drag queen sailor to promote recruitment? What else can one expect when the President of the United States, who professes to be a good Roman Catholic, not only uses his office to promote the murder of the unborn, but invites a drag queen to the White House?
Hopefully, Christians and Dodger fans will make their displeasure known to the Dodgers. It would be fitting if at their June 16 game no one showed up. Also, when the next election rolls around hopefully people will elect candidates who don't make a mockery of Christianity, defend the right to life of the unborn, and who won't promote perverseness.
UPDATE: Under pressure from Christian groups, last week the Dodgers canceled the invitation and the award presentation to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. This week, under pressure from LGBTQIA+... groups, the Dodgers reconsidered and re-extended the invitation. The Dodgers not only canceled the cancelation but they also issued an apology to The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for canceling them in the first place. Hopefully, the Dodgers will reap the same results from their actions as Bud Light has - loss of customers and loss of money.
In case you're not totally familiar with the acronym LGBTQIA+, L = lesbian; G = gay; B = bisexual; T = Transgender/transsexual; Q = queer/questioning; I = intersexual; A = asexual (i.e., no sex at all); and the + stands for allies of the movement or any other sexual deviation that may crop up, such as agender (no gender at all), genderfluid, gray sexual, spiosexual, and two-spirit.
What does God say? "God created man in His own image; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27)
Rev. Leslie R. Lanier, Pastor, Wayfarer's Chapel Lutheran Church
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
The CNN Townhall event last Wednesday evening was witness to the personality disorder of a man who would be president. This came one day after Trump was found liable to the tune of 5 million dollars for sexual abuse and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll. Trumpâs deposition in the case was so thuggish and damning that even a juror, whose sole news source is a rightwing podcaster, voted for Carrollâs petition against Trump.
Trump defamed Carroll once again, (to enthusiastic applause and laughter from many men in the audience). He repeated his stale and debunked âstolen electionâ lies. He wouldnât say if he backs Russia or Ukraine in that war. He claimed that Democrats endorse infanticide (they donât). He insisted that the Archives documents are his, that Obama took documents (he didnât), and Biden âdidnât complyâ (he did). Every sentence was a churlish, pouty, self-congratulatory lie.
The most significant immediate issue is the Republican House plan to refuse to pay the national debt, funds already borrowed and spent. Should the US default, the governmentâs costs of borrowing will go up, the interest rates will explode, the stock market will fall significantly, our credit rating will plunge again, and Social Security payments could halt.
Most of us recognize that the appropriate time to discuss what we intend to spend, and on what, is when we prepare the budget. When the bills are already due, we pay, or become a deadbeat nation.
In 1939, a statutory general limit was placed on federal debt requiring Congressional action to raise the limit. This is President Bidenâs dilemma:
His oath of office states, âI do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.â
The 14th Amendment Section 4 of the Constitution states, âThe validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law ⊠shall not be questioned.â
The Republican majority in the House, in its current disarray and self-serving demand to âown the libs,â appears poised to bring this country down on June 1. This would leave President Biden with the option to allow the disaster that will follow an unconstitutional default, or bypass Congress to save the economy. The latter has some potentially negative consequences, but they are not in the same disaster range as the former option. President Bidenâs highest duty is to his constitutional obligations over a statutory regulation.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
I donât often address another LTTE, but Ms. Walkerâs last week is representative of the Republican self-image, though far from what the current Party really stands for.
We are battling inflation, an anticipated result of the Covid-19 disaster. Unemployment is at surprisingly low levels. Several bipartisan bills have been passed to aid the economy. Accusations of a disastrous presidency and a âBiden Crime Familyâ are unaccompanied by facts.
Unlike Ms. Walker, the GOP endorses âbeing in the bedroom.â It also believes it has jurisdiction over pregnant womenâs uteruses. DeSantis and others believe that transgender people do not really exist, or that they have no right to live their lives consistent with their sense of self. They believe in parental rights, but not to choose affirmative medical care for their transgender child.
Who can quarrel with the assertion that âchildren should be protected by their parents?â But a growing number of mid-west Republican states have passed laws allowing children as young as 12 to work in meat packing houses and restaurants, even on the night shift. IA, SD, and AK are just three red states that allow child labor without age verification or parental permission. The vulnerability to slaughter of schoolchildren, and those in public places, is just the price to be paid for war-weapon âfreedom.â
We should all be aware of our reasons for war. Ex-president GWBush attacked Afghanistan and Iraq for fallacious facts and reasons with no withdrawal plan, subjecting us, our allies, and the Mideast to two decades of war. President Biden has been clear that our commitment to Ukraine is to resist the takeover of a free country by a deranged despot, and to prevent another world war.
The wall didnât work, Mexico didnât pay for it, and thousands of children were separated from their parents. âImmigrationâ hasnât been resolved by either Party, in part because there is an issue of asylum, and an economic benefit in allowing some minimum wage labor to pick crops, clean homes, corporate hotel rooms, and restaurant kitchens. For Republicans it is a beneficial political issue.
Republicans will risk the âfull faith and creditâ of the US and refuse to pay debts that Congress has already incurred. They propose to reduce by 22% support for veterans, school lunches, and WIC allotments, repeal green tax incentives, and scale back rail safety inspections, etc., and will renew Trumpâs tax cut for the wealthy without offset. They defend assault rifles in public places. This, too, will get Ms. Walkerâs faithful Republican vote.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
Something the so-called Progressives are really good at is teaching what to ignore or gaslight. Another is to focus on emotions and ignore reality. Today their name calling is overused. Itâs become a WOKE/JOKE and now most pay attention to reality that is right in front of them. But last weekâs Kelly Scoles blatther using the word âMAGA Christian Rightâ was pathetic. As though people with religious faith look at Trump as a god. That was really ugly and even an apology to those of faith she insulted would not be enough. I am not religious at all, but I have respect for those of faith and the good we have all received from their faith for hundreds of years. Did Scoles conveniently forget the many pictures of Obama with a halo over his head or praying candles with his picture?
Did she forget (ignore) about our schools with the âProgressivesâ in control? The left has had complete control of our schools and California for many years, yet today âNearly 1 in 4 people over the age of 15 lack the skills to decipher the words in this sentence. Only 77% of adults are considered mid- to highly literate.â according to Ed Source March 2, 2022.
There are 45 million Americans who are functionally illiterate, unable to read at a 5th grade level, and half of all adults canât read a book at an 8th grade level, California 25% of the stateâs 6 million students are unable to perform basic reading skills according to the Policy Center reported six years ago.
What did Obama and Progressives do to address this? Millions of students have completed K-12 since Common Core State Standards, started in 2010 under Obama. The so-called educational initiative failure aimed at getting around legal barriers to allow federal bureaucrats to establish a curriculum of what should be taught and when; to teach for the test, not to the studentsâ needs. Today thirteen years later public education is basically child care (sometimes a danger to students) with a food pantry anyone could find at a 7-11. Yet teachers demand a raise in pay. Failure sure pays with Gov, Ed.
Why is a failure in public education so ignored? Because the Progressives use IGNORE IT AND FOCUS ON EMOTIONS, RACE AND SEX, but point the finger that itâs âtheir fault not ours.â
Jean McLeod,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
There are some democrats that are just unable to recognize the damage our current president has done to our country. They rattle on about the failures of Trump, DeSantis and others yet fail to point any finger at Biden. Even when faced with facts of the disasters Biden has inflicted upon the nation, they act like the three monkeys, see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
True, Iâve written about how I believe Biden is a danger to America. And Iâve written on how I support many of the policies implemented by Trump, DeSantis and others.
I believe there are two genders, yet acknowledge that there are individuals who are attracted to the same sex and believe in their right to have such an attraction. The government needs to keep out of the bedroom.
I believe children are to be protected by their parents. Unless the parents are being neglectful of their children, keep government out of my house.
If youâre sending my children off to war, please tell me why. Tell me the end-game. Iâll be more willing to support the cause.
I support the completion of the wall at the border. I donât believe we should bring in over four million immigrants a year to âpick our cropsâ and clean our homes. I donât support slavery under any terms.
I believe there are inherent rights which all are entitled to without discrimination. I donât believe âroads are racistsâ.
From my point of view and from all Iâve heard on CNN, MSNBC and The View, and what Iâve read on Politico, New York Times and others, the democrats do not believe in the same things I believe in. So until a Democrat comes into power that has my core values, Iâll keep voting Republican.
Patti Walker,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
âBrokeback Republican Politics.â I wish I had created the phrase, but it was coined by writer Tim Miller. After Trump endorsed the Party into a pink stream rather than the expected red wave in 2020, some braver GOP politicians pronounced him a âloser.â But when they tried to stamp out the campfire, they left a few embers burning. All it took was an indictment, then a trial for rape-based defamation, to inflame MAGAs and âdissidentsâ to flee back to Trumpâs âpersecutedâ but cozy embrace. They just canât quit him.
The attachment to Trump is not about his dubious policies, certainly not because he did a darn thing for the ordinary American in four years (he did create a tax break for the yacht and private-jet wealthy which was lauded by MAGA, most of whom are not rich), not because of his dedication to the constitution, or because he represents the finest ideals of American politics or manhood.
The MAGA Christian Right often offers images of Trump as Christ, their âsavior,â no matter that he consorted serially with women not his wife, is credibly accused of multiple sexual affronts, even rape, and laughs about it. It is unlikely that any despicable treatment of others, refusal to accept responsibility, penchant for falsehoods, alleged criminal conduct, or attempted insurrection will aggrieve his smitten base. How do they overlook his obviously un-Christian defects?
Itâs because MAGA is emotionally attached to someone who will say whatever he wants, do anything he wants, flout institutions, courts and values, reject any criticism, has (heretofore) avoided accountability for anything, expressed admiration and appreciation for despots, and encourages emotionally satisfying outrage, resentment, and victimhood.
MAGA is in love and canât move on even though Trump only pretends to return the devotion. When resisting a strong biological, emotional, or spiritual force, reason is useless. Trump makes MAGA feel good about themselves. From an old Johnny Mathis song:
âWhen I am with you, I am nothing I was before.
I am everything I ever wished I could be and more.
So, it's not just for what you are yourself that I love you as I do,
But for what I am when I am with you.â
We have to hope that there are more of us who vote and are not emotionally enthralled than there are those who are impassioned by a pseudo-Christian sham-populist demagogue. They canât help themselves.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
You know by now that Tucker Carlson is out at Fox, fired at the direction of owner Rupert Murdoch. Carlson and other hosts and execs (including Murdoch) have cost the network nearly $790 million in a settlement reached last week with Dominion Voting Systems. It is the largest known media defamation settlement in US history.
Regarding the settlement, the network issued a statement that it âacknowledges the Courtâs rulings finding certain [Fox] claims about Dominion to be false, âreferring to the judgeâs ruling that, as a matter of fact Fox repeatedly permitted on-air claims of election fraud by Dominion despite knowing that they were false. The only issue to be tried was the award of damages. The settlement did not require Fox to admit on-air that it spread lies.
In Dominionâs discovery process, they obtained mass incendiary texts, emails and deposition testimony that were made public, and they were damning for Fox. The witness list included Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo, all of whom were spared cross examination and the alarming prospect of having their private conversations revealed in open court.
Tucker Carlson had texted that he âpassionately hates Donald Trump,â whose presidency was a âdisaster.â Privately, Fox management and hosts called MAGA claims of a stolen election âmind-blowingly nuts,â âdangerously recklessâ âreally crazy,â âbogus,â âasinine,â and âbullshit.â But Fox hosts continually reported on-air as ânewsworthy,â without challenge, what they knew to be false election fraud allegations from Trump, Rudy, Powell and others.
Sadly, by settling Dominion foreclosed further public exposure of the networkâs dishonesty. Fortunately, a rival company, Smartmatic USA, is headed toward trial on the same issue with the same discovered facts. Fox investors are pursuing their own lawsuits alleging that the Murdochs and Fox board members were derelict in allowing Fox to promote election lies and harming the networkâs reputation as a ânews organization.â
Fox has been a âsafe spaceâ where viewers could rely on hearing only what they wanted to hear. Apparently, outrage and resentment are comforting, but anything that produces anxiety or doubt causes defection to another news source. Fox has conceded that what they report is often unsubstantiated or untrue, designed to attract certain right-wing viewers.
Fox is hoping and trusting that viewers wonât care that they played them for revenues.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca
To the Editor:
If you want to know why, increasingly, Republicans in power are dismissive of the law and endorse unrestricted gun use, observe the case of TX Governor Greg Abbott.
On July 25, 2020, Daniel Perry, 30-year-old off-duty Army sergeant and Uber driver in Austin, honked as he drove his car into a Black Lives Matter protest against the George Floyd murder. When 28-year-old Air Force veteran, Garrett Foster, legally open-carrying an AK-47 rifle, approached to ask him to slow down, Perry shot Foster multiple times with his .357 Magnum. Perry had earlier tweeted that he âmight have to kill a few people on my way to work.â
Eyewitnesses testified that Foster had neither been aggressive nor aimed his rifle at Perry, and Perry later admitted that âI didnât want to give him the chance to aim at me.â Following a two-week trial and 17-day deliberation, the jury rejected Perryâs âstand your groundâ defense and found him guilty of Fosterâs murder.
Immediately thereafter, before sentencing, and at the urging of conservative politicians and commentators including Tucker Carlson, Abbott directed the TX Board of Pardons to supplant the verdict and recommend a pardon. He said, "I look forward to approving the Boardâs pardon recommendation as soon as it hits my desk." There is no assertion that Abbott reviewed a single minute of testimony or piece of evidence.
Why are so many Republicans defending these deranged and violent events? Stand your ground laws compounded with legal open carry generate the distinct possibility of even more disorder and violence. A very unsettling pattern is emerging.
Abbott and others are now at the âignore the courts,â and legislate for use of civilian military weapons, stage. Anger and resentment, particularly among MAGA, is moving towards chaos. When it gets bad enough, a future autocratic government will be âforcedâ to intervene to stop the carnage and forcibly restore order as they define âorder.â The people will have been shown as untrustworthy to govern themselves.
Until then, they will try to convince voters to elect legislators who promise to keep them âsafeâ and endorse their singular righteousness in whatever beliefs they choose. Voters who wonât understand that knee-jerk distrust of the âother,â belligerence and hostility over differences, and the permission to violently enforce personal biases, is disastrous to our representative democracy and makes our country a mark for despots.
Why do you think Trump, Carlson, DeSantis and others so admire authoritarians and dictators?
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
These last weeks have been like a Stephen King novel where a garish carousel goes rogue at 70 mph. The first ex-president was indicted, and the judge had to instruct the defendant not to attack officers of the court. The defendant then demanded that Congress defund the police, in this case the FBI. Republicans threatened that the indictment would skyrocket support for Trump. But popularity is not a defense to criminal prosecution. We are still nation of laws, not men.
The nation experienced once again the agonizing murders of children and staff, this time in a Nashville school, and the political disenfranchisement in TN of two Black Democratic legislators for breaching house decorum while arguing to save children from assault rifles in schools.
A new law in FL allows permitless carry with no requirements, including training. Orange County Sheriff John Mina objected, âsomewhere along the line we stopped listening to law enforcement...Go ask the street cop what he thinks⊠It's going to make [our communities] more dangerous.â
Iâm ready for a little amusement in politics and we had some of that, too. Apologies for the mirth, Martin.
There was Margie Greenâs 60 Minutes interview where she proclaimed that all Democrats are pedophiles and âgroomersâ because they think it unwise to restrict references to sexuality to high school students. Margie apparently thinks that fifth graders are counting the days until their parents OK their curiosity about sex.
Or the ex-president supplicating evangelicals to identify Easter Week as The Trumpian Stations of the Cross. "One thing that I've always remained solid on, that is our faith, our religion, our Christianity, our beautiful Christianity," said the self-appointed poster boy for Christian virtue and fledgling mendicant.
The winner? Senator Lindsey Graham who materialized on the teevee, wailing about the ex-president who, having been accused of serial illegalities, and claiming he has billions, now âneeds your [financial] help.â You would think that the resulting torrent of reprimand from both Republicans and Democrats would have persuaded him to tone it down.
Lordy no, yâall, this recently hatched televangelist did a full-on Jim Bakker overcome with pitiable blubbering. Send your prayer gift now! Still, it was a triumph for Trumpâs borrowed beauty consultant who very nearly replicated the mango face and urine-hued hair. Lindsey is either ingesting something he oughtnât, or Trump has something scorching on him.
I donât care to know. It probably isnât funny.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca.
To the Editor:
Last week, Trump was indicted on 34 criminal counts by a Manhattan grand jury. He was arrested and arraigned Tuesday of this week, pleading ânot guiltyâ to all counts. He is presumed innocent at this point.
Over last weekend, social media exploded with horrific threats of violence, civil war, and assassination if Trump were arrested. Threats that the arrest would further motivate and outrage MAGA were ignored, and our system survived. We are still a nation of laws. The NY DA declined to require a âmugshotâ or to handcuff the former president for the arraignment. Undeterred, MAGA printed shirts for sale with a fake photo.
MAGA Republicans stood by their man. Weepy Republican Senator Lindsey Graham begged for donations to âhelp the man.â This is the same guy who warned about Trumpâs presidential ambitions in 2016, âif we make him our nominee, he'll destroy the Republican party and we will deserve it.â
The judge, who did not issue a gag order at the outset, expressed deep concern for the language used by the parties, and cited Trump emails and posts predicting âdeath and destructionâ following his indictment, threats to the NY DA and his family, one calling him âan animal,â and otherwise engendering hate and resentment against officers of the court.
Outraged hyperbole scudded like flying monkeys. Fox's Gerri Willis proclaimed that, âpeople are not going to want to run for office if this is where it goes... Youâre not making a lot of money [$400,000 as president]. The downsides are so much bigger than the possible upsides. We are kind of signing our own death warrant." She said the quiet part out loud: thatâs why people run for president, for the money! And to be unaccountable.
But sheâs wrong about the upside. You can bawl âpersecution!â âunfair!â and âwitch hunt!â when held answerable for anything. You can pay off a porn star for sex, laugh about assaulting women, get sued for rape, deny you ever did anything wrong and have no need of forgiveness, and still have evangelicals celebrate you as a Jesus stand-in. You can profit from foreign countries in your elected office. You can tell deliberate, relentless lies in order to overthrow a legitimate election and claim innocence.
And you can inspire Fox to claim we will all imminently die if Trump is not the political ideal.
Kelly Scoles,
Fillmore, Ca