Letters to the Editor Saturday, Aug. 28 – The Daily Gazette

Afghan withdrawal completely bungledWhat in the world was he thinking? Or was he thinking at all?While Im certainly not an expert in military tactics, I think anyone of sound mind would know enough to remove the Americans and the Afghan allies (and as many women and girls) first, and then remove the troops after everyone was out safely.Of course, theres also the many gifts we left as well, like our tanks, munitions, helicopters, etc.Im sure the Taliban is grateful for our generosity, not to mention our stupidity!I fear we may have gone from bad to worse.Frances StauntonTroy

Black Lives Matter has racist undertoneRecently I went by a school that had a sign in front that said, BLACK LIVES MATTER.It struck me that I had been seeing this almost every day for at least a year now.Never once did I see GUAYANESE LIVES MATTER or PUERTO RICAN LIVES MATTER or WHITE LIVES MATTER or ASIAN LIVES MATTER.Yet I am sure this school teaches any one of these ethnicities.I find this behavior just as racist as what has happened to Black persons in history. Have we learned anything?A school which is supposed to be all inclusive is giving the message that only Black lives matter by only using that verbiage. I find this prejudicial and offensive.I wonder if this letter will be printed.Barbara McBrideSchenectady

Why does Stefanik let Trump off hook?Elise Stefanik has no business holding Andrew Cuomo accountable when she doesnt hold Donald Trump accountable for his abuse of women and his handling of COVID-19.Rita SmithSchenectady

America lives and dies by the BeastOnce it was OK when Washington led America. When individualism, states rights and the right of free/open speech without the real fear of reprisal truly existed.Washington led America, and the country was on fertile ground; the experiment in freedom was like a budding fruit tree in its first season of flowering. So much promise.That was when George Washington led us through victory in a revolutionary war that changed the world. But that time has long passed. Washington the Beast is now leading America.Washington the Beast leads America, and swamp creatures who could not make it in any other job run our states and our towns.Washington leads America, and we get dinosaurs that have spent their entire lives feeding off D.C. as our leaders. Washington leads America with a quick on ramp to central control and entry into the Club of World Marxism.But we cant seem to get off the dirt roads (a world away), where bodies lay broken and charred clinging to an idea.America, this IS the country you have voted for. The first American revolution was led by a Washington who was simply emblematic of Americans ideals of freedom. This American revolution is being led by the Beast. The slow drip of peoples attitudes divorced from freedom of responsibility is the new emblem of Americans whove surrendered their commitment to an ideal and have simply lost a gift.RIP America: youre not coming back and you aint gonna love your new leaders.John GentileDuanesburg

Why doesnt GOP also condemn TrumpIn response to Clair Pelletier-Hoblocks Aug. 21 letter (Stefanik is holding Cuomo accountable,), I must ask if you call Andrew Cuomo to the carpet for his dastardly deeds, which he denies are true, how can you not call the much more despicable Donald Trump to your moral carpet along with Elise Stefanik?As a member of the GOP, she betrayed her supposed moral beliefs.As I sit in the white color of my beloved flag, I condemn both Cuomo and Trump for their evil doings.After the Cuomo investigation, most Democrats and Republicans called for Cuomos resignation.After the Trump investigation, no Republicans called for Trumps resignation.Ten GOP members, following their moral beliefs, voted to impeach President Trump, crossing party lines. Evidently, by actions of most GOP members, they are not the moral right. They are the moral wrong. Shame on them.Ive watched for 55 years the policy trends of both parties and believe we have never been a true democracy, but instead became an oligarchy after World War II.I may have to fly my flag upside-down to indicate the direction this country is headed. We are supposed to be a democratic republic where the common people are watched over, not big business and the wealthy.Jeff PelkyBroadalbin

Police should check for criminal activityI read the Aug. 19 article in your paper (Cops called on woman campaigning) with some interest, as several years ago when I was running for elected office in my town, I had a similar thing happen to me.I was going door to door to introduce myself to town residents, and while doing so, I was stopped by a local police officer who inquired what I was doing.Now I am an over-60-year-old white male, so my life experiences are certainly different from this woman in that article. I didnt think much of this encounter, and in fact was rather pleased to realize that the police are diligently doing their jobs and asking questions of potentially suspicious persons when required.I guess my point is that every encounter with the police is not to needlessly harass someone, be they a member of a minority group or otherwise going about their legal business, but is to ascertain that criminal activity is not occurring or about to occur.Tom McGarryNiskayuna

Exercise peace over verbal retaliationOne day after the pandemic lockdown, I attended a focus group about a marketing campaign set to launch later this year, 2021.The hosts had expressed complaints similar to social media content creators. They wanted our assistance in finding resolutions.At the end of that focus group, all participants were allowed one last closing question. I asked one of the moderators: Why doesnt the company just start a platform that will rival existing social media platforms?My question was never answered that day. But in the months to come, verbal attacks on my character grew from typical hate by some people online, to me becoming public enemy number one.A source shared the intense conversations about me that are circulating between people through emails and private messenger chats.A lack of clarity has turned sparks into forest fires that may burn in the spirits of some people for days to come. There is a global responsibility people have that is to exercise peace. I dont retaliate with divisive words. Peace, be still and effective.Kurtis MillerSchenectady

Biden chose easy over common sense

We may not admire his wisdom, but we must admire President Bidens chutzpah for cutting short his vacation time and addressing the situation in Afghanistan.Yes, it would always have been difficult. But if you are a powerful country, do you not follow rules of common sense? First, we remove all the men, women and children who are American citizens. Second, we remove the people who worked with us and are now in danger. To do this we must hold the air base, the equipment and the men and women in the armed services to complete this operation. Third we remove our equipment. The base is still open so while a great endeavor, it is possible. Then we close the embassy, take down our flag and fly the remaining personnel home. He did it in reverse, whatever was easiest.Geraldine KrawitzSaratoga Springs

Hall & Oates music, wife aging beautifullyOn March 4, 1974, I took my beautiful girlfriend, Laura, to a Bee Gees concert at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, New York City.The opening act was a young duo named Hall and Oates. I remember them singing Sara Smile, an early hit. Forty-seven years and many hits later, on Aug. 15, Laura and I saw Hall and Oates again at SPAC in Saratoga. They sang Sara Smile again and Laura is more beautiful than ever. Its good to know that some things not only endure but get better with time.Rich AngehrSchenectady

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Letters to the Editor Saturday, Aug. 28 - The Daily Gazette