Letters to the Editor Saturday, Jan. 23 – The Daily Gazette

Stefanik deserves to lose donationsBravo to the Dake family and Stewarts Shops for suspending funding to Elise Stefanik.I admire the support the Dakes and Stewarts gives our communities.But continuing to fund Stefanik would be a stain on all the good the Dakes have done.Her role in perpetuating Trumps lies and the incitement of violence is beyond disgraceful.Stefaniks actions destroy our communities and country.Kris OBrienBallston Spa

Nisky vote shouldnt be held in winterYour Jan. 16 editorial (Get Nisky absentee ballots now) criticizing the decision by the Niskayuna School District Board of Education to conduct a special election this February was spot on as they say these days.Please include a copy of your editorial in each Your Niskayuna weekly sent via USPS and the Friday Daily Gazette edition until the election.As you may be unable or unwilling to do, let me include the following from your editorial: Special elections disenfranchise many voters, especially those most likely to vote against whatever is on the ballot, unfairly skewing results.Were especially not fans of special elections held during the middle of winterwhen many people, particularly older, are reluctant to venture out in the cold, ice and snow to vote. The covid crisis has made people even less likely to show up to vote in person.I just submitted my application for an absentee ballot. Hopefully Ill get my absentee ballot, complete it and return it in time to be counted.I dont understand why this all could not have waited until May when covid should be less of an issue due to increased vaccine distribution.We would also have a better understanding of the 2021-2022 school year operation then. Almost makes you want to vote NO out of principle in February.Terry KoskowskiNiskayuna

Look at Chinas approach to winningI know how China wins a war without invading a country. They manufacture the enemies medicine, computers and military parts. Sounds familiar doesnt it America?Beverly BorgeestClifton Park

Chart would counter false election claimsI would like to encourage the Daily Gazette to publish a one page table format examination that addresses the specific arguments that are presented by the people who believe the election was stolen.I think that the people who went to the Capitol on Jan. 6 and the millions who support Trumps false accusations, that the election was stolen really believe those lies.They dont get the factual information that would counter each of their beliefs. Printing a full page table that outlines each false claim and then the factual proven details that refute that claim may be helpful.We cannot heal as a nation until people are made aware of the truth and then have the data and information to change their false beliefs. I think we need to address these misconceptions head on and bring people to the facts instead of the misinformation they have been fed.Jean M. Taylor, Ph.D.Alplaus

Trump shows hes morally unfit to serveTrumps thugs, those who stormed and attacked the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, are criminals and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They should be arrested and punished. So should President Trump and those who support him in our government for inciting, fomenting and encouraging treasonous, unethical and unpatriotic acts.Ive been an American voter for over 35 years, and a former veteran with 35 years of military service in the U.S. Air Force and New York Air Guard combined. Im not a Democrat; Im an independent. Im a person with some level of decency and morality who detests cheaters, liars, criminals and racist people like President Trump.Im not interested in political affiliations, but only in honesty, truth, the common good, a sense of duty and respect for people, respect for laws and order, our democratic institutions and the Constitution, and for compassion toward all people and Gods creation.Its very clear that this U.S. president has never had any respect for anyone. Not for people, not the Constitution, nor our democratic institutions, nor creation, nor God.No, President Trump is unworthy of his office. Hes a clear and present danger to America and the whole world. He is totally, morally and mentally, unfit, unsuitable, to guide this nation.Ottavio LoPiccoloSchenectady

Some wise words in a tumultuous timeIn light of all the events presently occurring in our nation, Im reminded of James Russell Lowells words written in 1845. Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side; Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight, And the choice goes by forever, twixt that darkness and that light.William McCollSchenectady

Stefanik should quit over her false claimsCongresswoman Stefanik, you failed to show moral leadership as a member of the House of Representatives.You perpetuated President Trumps lie about the 2020 election being fraudulent, unfair and stolen. In your Jan. 6 speech in House chambers, you faulted the election protocols in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, all of which made changes to election procedures last year to make it easier for people to vote by mail.You said, Tens of millions of Americans are concerned that the 2020 election featured unconstitutional overreach by elected state officials and judges ignoring state laws.I ask the congresswoman: Where is your proof? The election was certified by all 50 states and upheld as claims of fraud and irregularities were dismissed by more than 50 legal challenges in state and federal courts. Why did you not object to the elections of Texas and your state of New York? Why are you concerned about the election processes and laws of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin? The oversight of elections is the purview of the individual states per the Tenth Amendment (U.S. Constitution). Is your loyalty to President Trump stronger than your loyalty for and execution of your oath of office? Had the president won the 2020 election, were you promised a position in his second administration?It is my opinion that you should resign from your House seat and that the New York Republican Party not endorse you for re-election in 2022.Ken DoddGlenville

Be more careful in reviewing lettersWhile I agree that The Daily Gazette should publish letters that include a wide range of opinions, you should not publish letters that contain demonstrable false facts, unless they are corrected with an editors comment.In her Jan. 16 letter (Why doesnt Cuomo release covid report,) Betty Pieper includes at least two false assertions: Even drug manufacturers and CDC do not say the vaccine prevents covid and They also admit ignorance on transmission.The CDC website,https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html, contains a wealth of factually-correct information about COVID-19, including statements such as: All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19, and Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.The CDC website has far more information about COVID-19 than I have room to discuss here. I encourage people to visit the site.Both the Pfizer and Moderna websites,https://www.pfizer.com/andhttps://www.modernatx.com/contain clinical data on the effectiveness of their COVID-19 vaccines.You can choose to believe or reject this information, but it is a lie to say it does not exist.Victor RobertsBurnt Hills

Suggested titles for Trumps new bookAfter a president leaves office and resettles elsewhere, he usually writes a memoir. Donald Trump will surely hire a ghostwriter to tell his side of the story. Of course, the final draft will need a catchy title. Here are a few suggestions:The Old Man and the Sea (of Rioters)Mein Kampf (to Understand Democracy)How to Win Friends and Influence People (by Extortion)To Kill a Mockingbird (Is a Noble Thing)A Farewell to Arms (Makes Me Sad)The Godfather (Was My Role Model)The Sun Also Rises (Because of Me).This Present Darkness (Was Not My Fault)Atlas Shrugged (and So Did I)Crime and Punishment (Are My Specialties)An American Tragedy (Was How I Lost)Their Eyes Were Watching God (and Me)The Right Stuff (Was What I Had)The Long Goodbye (Will Never End)James GondaSchenectady

Many reasons to stop Champlain lineIn his Jan. 14 news article (Cuomo lays out massive green energy plan in State of State) about Gov. Andrew Cuomos latest energy extravaganza, John Cropley noted Transmission lines can take forever to build.An example cited is the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), proposed in 2010, approved in 2013 by the state Public Service Commission (PSC), with construction not yet begun.CHPE would run on land through Clinton, Washington, Saratoga, Schenectady, Albany, Greene and Rockland counties. CHPE cables would also be buried in trenches under long stretches of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River and placed atop 11 miles of Hudson River bedrock.CHPE is a nebulous project. The PSC often quickly approved route changes last year despite incomplete maps, CHPE seeks fast PSC approval to be treated as a lightly regulated entity to hide investors names and other information normally made public, and CHPE wants to increase capacity 25% above the approved 1 billion watts.Last year the federal government allowed CHPE to become a Limited Liability Corporation.Cuomo pretends CHPE would grow the states economy, even though CHPE would create only 26 permanent jobs in New York, and hundreds of millions of dollars of state wealth will annually be exported to Canada to pay for imported electricity.CHPE faces major concerns and/or opposition from First Nations of Canada, the Tugboat and Harbor Carriers Association of NY/NJ, Sierra Club, Stoney Point Action Committee for the Environment, Center for Biological Diversity, Hudson Riverkeeper, Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council, and climate justice organizations in New York City.Tom EllisAlbany

Politicians look to protect themselvesThe people involved in causing trouble during D.C.s planned political events need to step back and realize that they are being baited by the media and government officials.They want you to come out when they have the most police and National Guard forces available. Why not wait a few weeks, then voice your displeasure at your elected officials?The real reason our elected officials are giving speeches like they are William Wallace in the movie Braveheart is because they are actually scared. They realize they are going to have to go home to face their constituents at local town halls and eateries. They will most likely try the old hide behind the COVID-19 scare Zoom call nonsense to avoid interacting with people in general.Most officials make many bold statements when they have 24-hour police protection. Compare how they will act when the security is minimal.How come ultra-destructive white people are insurrectionists but ultra-destructive minority people are social justice warriors?I listened to the speech before the Washington mayhem started, and it seemed the same type of crap speech given before the election at Mt. Rushmore, same tone, same jargon. The Jan. 6 speech didnt cause the mayhem.Government officials more concerned about their own agendas and personal egos than serving the general good did.Scott DavisSchenectady

Stefanik was only defending AmericaI cannot believe there are so many absolutely stupid people out there insulting Rep. Elise Stefanik in this column and believe everything the very liberal media says about her.Are they really so stupid that they cant think for themselves and treat her as if she were some monster from Mars, when all she is doing is not backing down from all the lies about her and our great president that the media says about them?Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and the rest of the leftist deplorables claim that Trump encouraged the so-called violent mob that stormed the capital on Jan. 6. In fact, they were waving American flags, not burning them as Pelosis supporters do. When Trump tweeted them to stay peaceful, Twitter shut him down.Where was Pelosi et. al. when her leftist BLM criminals, who I believe were encouraged and backed by their Antifa sponsors, were destroying, burning and looting cities and forcefully taking over public buildings and police stations because of the death of an eight-time convicted criminal who they glorify as an All-American hero?We need more representatives like Elise Stefanik.Neil NusbaumSchenectady

Things have changed, and not for the betterThe free speech cliche I grew up with was You cant holler FIRE in a crowded theater. But that was a long time ago, and what seemed a piece of logical wisdom has fallen victim to a series of fine-toothed legal combs.So, like quite a few other ideas/sayings/basic truths I grew up with, it remains only as an example of how simple-minded we were in the old days. Maybe its part of the price we pay for growing up.Even so, I believe it is not a good idea to holler fire in a crowded theater unless there really is a fire.In that case, when the matter winds up in court (as happens with so much of what used to be common sense), youll have to explain how you knew it was a fire, how you knew it was in fact in the building, what training you have to recognize a fire, which alternative actions you could have taken to deal with the situation, and which commercial or political entities (assuming they are different) stand to gain or lose from your actions.Do not assume that common sense will be an acceptable answer.So, what about social media?Consider what our world would be like today with no Facebook or Twitter. Had they not been invented, not even imagined (with the possible exception of TikTok), would we be worse off?Phil SheehanScotia

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Letters to the Editor Saturday, Jan. 23 - The Daily Gazette