Letters to the Editor - Millerton News - 7-5-18

Treatment of asylum seekers horrific

Although I’m presently in a rehab facility after two emergency hospitalizations, none of that is the subject of, or the purpose for, this letter.

Today I had visitors who brought to me the incredible news that our government’s response to illegal immigrants was at that time a policy whereby one parent would be deported, and the children would be separated from their parents and held by the United States government. At first, I could not believe what I was hearing. I was in total shock. A Nazi tactic, a cruel and inhuman action, carried out by my government, by the government of the United States of America, a government presumed by many to be the world’s exemplary democracy, could not be happening. But it was true. It was also ugly and totally appalling. 

As a retired teacher, I could not bear the image of children being ripped from their parents’ arms. And I felt compelled to act in the role of citizen to object to this utterly horrific policy. As a citizen of the United States, and as a person who has no personal issues that in any way are connected to the issue of illegal immigration, I nevertheless felt compelled to write this letter of protest as a way of trying to do my duty. As a citizen and as a human being, I suggest that the only response to this inhuman and disgusting policy is to immediately do away with it, to rescind it, to apologize for its inception and never, ever to consider again any such un-American and cruel a policy. I do not believe that the president’s actions have so far accomplished this.

Deborah Brasher

Kent, Conn.

Cartoon was not amusing

 I generally enjoy seeing political cartoons, some of which are funny, entertaining, thought-provoking or informative. I have also seen over the years political cartoons with which I disagreed or found offensive.

The cartoon which appeared in your issue dated June 14, 2018, depicting a Catholic Priest distributing Holy Communion in the form of a piece of layer cake falls into the latter category. 

It was offensive and disrespectful to those who believe that the Host is the sacred Body of Christ. 

The author of the cartoon is obviously upset that the Colorado baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple was held by the Supreme Court of the United States to be justified in such a refusal. The court in a 7-2 decision held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had violated the U.S. Constitution’s protection of religious freedom in its ruling against the baker.

Whether one agrees with the opinion of the Supreme Court is irrelevant. The publication of that cartoon was irresponsible and a complete disgrace.

Jim Morris

Amenia

 An open letter to Gareth Rhodes

Your journey in politics is just beginning my friend… You ran an inspiring campaign and activated the younger generation of voters living in New York District 19.

You came in second in a crowded primary with candidates who had millions more dollars to spend on mailers, TV advertising and paid field organizers.

Your Rhodes Trip, where you visited all 163 towns in New York’s 19th Congressional District in a 1999 Winnebago and talked with people at diners and pancake breakfasts, was motivational and would have been an effective foundation for a fall campaign.

I stand by my endorsement of your candidacy and know that our paths will continue to cross.

You have a strong base of support in the town of North East! Please come and visit Millerton some time soon.

John Midwood, Councilman

North East