Letters to the Editor - The Lakeville Journal - 6-10-21

A crisis of climate and conscience

Since 1913 one third of forests depleted by fires in the Rockies have failed to regenerate — changes of climate in this western U.S. region increased temperatures and reduced moisture both conditions hostile to tree regrowth. Forests across the globe are failing to grow back after fires — rather than seedlings, brush and flowers are filling land once thick with forests. Until recently, forests were natural mitigators for man’s toxic carbon waste. Climate change and man’s aggressive clear cutting of forests is drastically reducing these protective benefits. 

Today trees fail to grow, the Arctic’s ice shelf crumbles, communities sink beneath swelling seas, weather disasters escalate yet persistent denial of climate change pummels truth along with the notion that man is a thinking being. Man, perhaps the only creature aggressively poisoning his own habitat.

As for poisoning, U.S. lawmakers at the state and federal levels attack life as we know it, as was fought for over centuries by Americans — the fabric of our socio/political climate. With lies, anti-voting legislation, calls for insurrection — Flynn’s Burmese coup chants, Former 45’s promise of an August return — a mob of fearful, perhaps unelectable-by-democratic-means legislators stoke authoritarian policies and practice. This assault on American democracy, including legislators authorizing themselves to override voters’ votes, is trivialized by McConnell, is cheered by McCarthy and is juiced by federal legislators hauling in contributions made by the persons they dupe. 

 The degree of current democratic conscience is hard to grasp as 70% of Republicans, now 25% of the electorate, disbelieve the 2020 Presidential election — so that’s 17.5% of Americans.

Yet President Biden’s approval ratings are in the high 50’s to the 60’s, at day 135, Former 45’s approval was 40%.

So I read, listen, watch, discuss, opine and can be disheartened by things going on.  I hope for a nation of neighbors, of tenders of our vast lands and resources, a nation brimming joyous for hockey Olympic gold, Americans with differences tolerant and enabling others to vaccinate. 

Across the U.S. electorate are differing beliefs regarding government’s size and role, family life, religious precepts, and rights of the individual. Voters vote for like-minded or at least like-speaking candidates which is their right and privilege. If they are the majority vote, in fair and legal elections, then their candidate represents them in the democracy and shapes the nation.   

Let’s let trees grow and democracy ring.   

The story of America is...one of slow, often unsteady steps forward. If we expect the trumpets of a given era to sound unwavering notes, we will be disappointed, for the past tells us that politics is an uneven symphony.      

— Jon Meacham  

Our system is not only based on rules, but a series of self-restraints that we won’t be as barbaric as we could be in competing for power because we know if we’re all barbaric as we could be, the whole country and the whole society falls apart.  

— David Brooks

Kathy Herald-Marlowe

Sharon

The joys of summer, undeniable

Summer is here in all its splendor

To the sun, I surrender

People swimming in the lake

All is fun, nothing fake

Fishing dinghies on the water

I am boating with my daughter

Could life be any better

No it can’t, to the letter

In conclusion all is well

And that is that, I do tell.

Michael Kahler

Lakeville

Still no tax refund

Can anyone explain why, after filing tax returns back in February, some of us have still not received our federal refunds? 

Calling the 1-800 number is useless. 

We can check online but still no help. 

I just want to know what the issues are and if anything is being done to get us our money?

We are getting no answers.

Eleanor O’Toole

Sharon  

Goshen Stampede, hidebound

I was poleaxed to hear that at the Goshen Stampede, Confederate flags have been on display along with the hostile slogan: “Stomp my flag and I’ll stomp your face.” There was even a report that someone flew a banner sporting the charming line: “Confederate Lives Matter.” 

The Goshen Stampede is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. A basic requirement for any 501(c)3 is to avoid any purpose that praises or calls for discrimination. I believe that Confederate flags on display at the main event violate this requirement. How sad for sponsors like the Torrington Savings Bank, the U.S. Army, and Goshen Wine and Spirits, to be associated with this symbol of racism. 

I am told this “stand” is some attempt to cry out against political correctness. Proponents emphasize that their free speech is threatened. All well and good. Yes, you are free to say whatever you like, wear whatever you like, and fly whatever banner you choose. 

But that flag is about the advocation of slavery, plain and simple. Let’s not be deliberately obtuse. Just because you are free to act a certain way, doesn’t mean you should.

Karl Saliter

Cornwall Bridge