I have been with you for quite awhile. I have never been disappointed. Thanks to both of you for sharing yourselves and the world near and far. Keep up the good work.
As to the person who drove through using his middle finger to express his opinion, we have attended several events in several locations (mostly Plattsburgh but also Albany and Vermont) and seen the same thing and just ignored it. I just assumed that they were telling us their IQ.
Pretty surprised to read about the assault at the rally in Warrensburg. The organizers were firm reminding people not to engage with the opposition when taunted. We sang, chanted, "This is what democracy looks like..", and cheered with the honking horns from passing supporters. I did not witness the assault or recall seeing tv news media. (I did see and hear a Post Star reporter talking with Cheryl McGrattan- and a few fellow protesters). The few Trump folks kept riding around the block, reving and occasionally peeling out, cell phones aimed at the crowds and calling out. We waved U.S. flags.
I've always been a staunch fiscal conservative. Regularyl took positions against expanding school budgets until the cap was put in place by Gov. Cuomo. The DOGE idea had some possibilities if it had been done in a thoughtful and lawful way. I always vote for the best candidate without regard to party affiliation and around here that is often the Republican. If you look at my criticism of Stefanik, it is never about issues, it is about her inability to tell the truth. Does that help?
"The DOGE idea had some possibilities if it had been done in a thoughtful and lawful way."
I don’t think DOGE ever had any possibilities. Except malicious ones.
The problem with so-called DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is that it was a con game. It was never designed or intended to do what it claimed to do — make government services more efficient. Rather, it was intended, and succeeded to a large degree, in eliminating government programs without regard to their value or efficacy, firing as many federal employees as possible without regard to the value they contributed, demoralizing the federal workforce, symbolizing the Trump administration’s authoritarian and cruel intentions, act as vehicle for a corrupt, cruel and unstable billionaire to garner the attention he so desperately craves, and purloin citizen’s private data for nefarious purposes.
As I said, making government more efficient is something I'm for, if done in a thoughtful and lawful manner. That was not the case in any way, shape or form with Musk and his group.
I fully agree we should review government services and regulations to make them more efficient and effective. Not easy to do, but worthwhile.
Not easy to do because we all have our own definitions of what is efficient, effective, wasteful, and fraudulent — and many of those definitions depend on our politics and ideology. The question is, who decides? In the end, if we live in a democracy, it has to be Congress and the Executive branches as determined by voters.
No matter what political stripe we are, we deserve to get the most value from our government programs and services. But not programs and services decided by billionaires and tech bros like the so-called DOGE.
Not as an argument, but as a quesiton...do you really think do(d)ge would have made a difference...?
ª for one, I believe if they did make systematic cuts of actual waste (a lot might have also come from elon projects that they did not look at) the savings would be so small in compared to the bigger pitcher of the $6.8 trillion US Budget
ª and philosophically does it make sense.
a- The National Park Service, as an example. I did some research and found the agency cost $3.6 Billion to run, but created $55.6 Billion in revenue. Even if you could trip their budget to $3 Billion who is to day it would have a direct loss of revenues...
b-and morally, if you fire people, just to not pay their health care salaries.. are you just now morally evil (being a dick to be a dick as it seems to be the m.o. of stephne miller)?
also, and this is an argument, not only a question.
I hear people say they are fiscal conservatives (this is not only directed to Mr.Tingley, but all fiscal conservatives) and when you look at what that means... or what it comes down to.
Let's cut snap and subsidies to poor people because they don't have lobbyists and we save money.
Fiscally what a great idea... not that you save that much money in the long run (or compared to killing people) but what kind of moral stance is that.
The same with USAid
we save money..... and who cares if people die (/sarcasm)
Well, I guess defining fiscal conservativeness is the key. Having lower taxes and smaller government are worthwhile goals, but we are a country that is among the richest in the world so we can afford to help a lot of people. LIke most things in life, it's complicated.
well, both can't be true for gQped fiscal conservatives... ..
but the current budget proposal shows they are pure liars... like all budgets to get the 'fiscal conservatives' their vote, they had to give them pork (so inflating the already high budget)
and the lesson for us is do(D)ge just wanted to hamstring government.
To save money, you cut the execs, not the worker (the workers are (as the word implies) are the ones who do the work.)
The second lesson should be is you can't do cuts for the sake of cuts.
What do(D)ge did, would be akin to me saying I want to cut three thousand dollars out of my budget... and instead traveling less for a shorter time. I decided I would stop eating.
anyone who believed do(D)ge was helpful... aren't asking the question : "Can you show us what you saved?"
Here is where magAholes have no leg to stand on...
give us an example.
I am not saying you are wrong, but it is clear you are... if you see columns by both you will notice Mr. Doolittle is very left leaning... and maybe there is a hint from Mr. Tingley...
Though I suspect your problem is you think anyone who doesn't support the same fascism that you do (I would if I could do a screen shot of all the hate posts you have 'liked'.. but this forum doesn't allow images)... Not supporting hitler doesn't make you a bleeding heart liberal.
But go ahead give examples
Another those with tID (trmpooz Induced Dementia) have is they lack reasoning skills... and don't understand what they want to hate/believe doesn't make it true
Just co clarify, I generally "like" a post because I believe in the debate, not so much the position. It's refreshing to see the amount of debate that you do see on our newsletter. I encourage that. The debate has turned ugly in so many other sites, that it is refreshing to see a mostly civil discussion here. But we do get trolls from time to time.
what I like is often the lack of 'debate' per say... for example Mike Parwana will state a point... because I follow the issue, I know he isn't just saying what he believes, he writes what he KNOWS.. like others, I wish he would post links since it leaves no doubt and can educated those who believe waht they want to believe
The trolls are often the same people with new accounts.. sadly with the same lack of facts.. haven't figured who ren tall, but s/he should have bought because I don't believe the rental. but '@conservative1967' kind of smacks of the usual liars.
for one when you look at his/her profile only been around since a couple months, subscribes to your substack and THE UPSTATE AMERICAN (both pointing out gQped lies.
and s/he likes all posts that are dishonest TAC0eater posts like t(h)e reagan
And no sooner than I post this comment Donald Trump proves me correct, refuses to call Gov Walz after the assassinations (and attempts) of representatives in Minnesota.
Trump encourages the violence. He wants an active civil war on our streets.
Not surprisingly, I believe Dear Leader has reversed again and is back to targeting farms, courts, any easy pickings as far as making apprehensions.
His social media bleats change hourly and nothing he says can be believed anyway. I’m sure the rest of the G7 was sorry he cut short his PR tour for Putin.
Yes, I saw that this morning. Interesting column by Forest Hartley in Post-Star (in the editorial slot on the editorial page - a little weird) where he talks about how Trump should have known his policies would devastate agriculture. But then yesterday, the administration reversed itself again. Starting to wonder if Stephen Miller or Trump is calling the shots on immigration.
After a May (2025) 4 week visit to England , Scotland, Ireland- there is a vivid conversation
with a waitress in a Portsmouth pub. She and her husband had visited NYC,NJ, and DC last August. Her disappointment was obvious stating "you have to be very brave to travel U.S.".
The waitress added that she never saw the word "fight" so often-chants, oppressive signs,
and wide spread immature activity. (I did add " both sides" to the conversation and explained
we were in election times). She concluded her husband and her will not revisit.
It is always good to get an outside view. I remember traveling in Ireland during Iraq war and was constantly questioned about why we had invaded Iraq. I explained many in the U.S. did not support the war. It didn't help.
I have had a lot of contact with people from other countries... and have been embarrassed and overwhelmed when they would ask me questions like: "why did you invade Iraq" or worse "Why did the president invade Iraq."
It is in moments that I think I know the answer.. I realize.. those questions really can not be answered by me..
Today’s Post Star reflects inclusive coverage of the Glens Falls/Warrensburg rallies with pics and interviews with peaceful protesters. The digital website includes a lengthy video of the downtown attacker “take-down” by the 2 women and other folks… and the MAGA perp being tied with restraints behind his back and led off to a police vehicle… while true patriots chanted “Lock Him Up! Lock Him Up!”
Bravo to Ken and everyone who reported events so quickly, and to Forrest Hartley for his column today, and Kevin and Bernice’s published letters to the editor. And to our new Post Star Editor, Lisa Reider, who in her June 10th Op-Ed praises our local community residents and business owners as she and her husband continue to search for an affordable home in our area to minimize her commute/need for hotel accommodations.
Surely there must be a local realty firm willing to vigorously advocate for our new hometown newspaper editor - as it would be great advertisement for any area broker to land them a home in the Hometown, USA vicinity!
I noticed the letters today too. It is a reminder that traditional media and letters to the editor can have an impact. I do wish the newspaper had posted the news more quickly. Waiting until Tuesday, well, is it news still? Sorry, you can't take the editor out of the boy.
If readers can access Andrew Valenza’s beautifully crafted Post Star Op-Ed “Goodbye for now” from 5/24/25, he laments the many restrictions/turnovers imposed by the Post Star parent company, while chronicling his own journey as a St. Mary’s kid (and son of a previous police chief,) who went on to serve in the NY Army National Guard, and pursued his quest to become a Post Star reporter. And though Steve Thurston told him he was “over-qualified”…Andrew went on to become a prolific writer and investigative reporter for our local paper. He hopes to return in the future.
It is a “novella” well worth reading. Sorry I don’t know how to transmit that Post Star issue page.
Regarding your commentary on Trump as our Commander in Chief, I find it baffling that his past conduct as a draft dodger and his uncomplimentary remarks about POW’s being losers, or Medal of Honor winners being subordinate to civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients can be “explained” or “excused”. I don’t like it but....I’m left to name calling. He’s an idiot.
Steven Miller must have had a hemorrhoid explode after he read that Trump was chickening out on the deportaion plan, but Trump never sticks to the script. Having spent the past four weekend in NYC, I am even more baffled by the right's hatred of migrants and for the folks walking in our grandparents shoes. I encountered people from all over who work hard and want to make a life for themselves . The migrants "invasion " is less the on half of one percent of our population, we have room for those that want to make a life here. As a child we were told , with pride, that America is the melting pot of the world, all comers adding to the national character, and becoming fellow citizens. But as a political tool, hatred and fear and anger are easy to whip up, and it get's these scoundrels elected.
Yeah, NYT, “for political reasons.” #TACO!
I have been with you for quite awhile. I have never been disappointed. Thanks to both of you for sharing yourselves and the world near and far. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for reading.
I am so glad that the two of you are here to provide sane local commentary.
This is our community and has been for a long time.
Keep going. Your work is needed and very much appreciated. 🖖
As to the person who drove through using his middle finger to express his opinion, we have attended several events in several locations (mostly Plattsburgh but also Albany and Vermont) and seen the same thing and just ignored it. I just assumed that they were telling us their IQ.
Great line!
Pretty surprised to read about the assault at the rally in Warrensburg. The organizers were firm reminding people not to engage with the opposition when taunted. We sang, chanted, "This is what democracy looks like..", and cheered with the honking horns from passing supporters. I did not witness the assault or recall seeing tv news media. (I did see and hear a Post Star reporter talking with Cheryl McGrattan- and a few fellow protesters). The few Trump folks kept riding around the block, reving and occasionally peeling out, cell phones aimed at the crowds and calling out. We waved U.S. flags.
Appreciate you two so much. Thank you.
Please provide examples of what you believe to be moderate positions. I don't see any separation between you and Will.
Lazy people ask others to do their own homework.
If you have a hypothesis, do the research to confirm it.
Ditto to what Mike wrote above!
Exactly what I thought too.
I've always been a staunch fiscal conservative. Regularyl took positions against expanding school budgets until the cap was put in place by Gov. Cuomo. The DOGE idea had some possibilities if it had been done in a thoughtful and lawful way. I always vote for the best candidate without regard to party affiliation and around here that is often the Republican. If you look at my criticism of Stefanik, it is never about issues, it is about her inability to tell the truth. Does that help?
"The DOGE idea had some possibilities if it had been done in a thoughtful and lawful way."
I don’t think DOGE ever had any possibilities. Except malicious ones.
The problem with so-called DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is that it was a con game. It was never designed or intended to do what it claimed to do — make government services more efficient. Rather, it was intended, and succeeded to a large degree, in eliminating government programs without regard to their value or efficacy, firing as many federal employees as possible without regard to the value they contributed, demoralizing the federal workforce, symbolizing the Trump administration’s authoritarian and cruel intentions, act as vehicle for a corrupt, cruel and unstable billionaire to garner the attention he so desperately craves, and purloin citizen’s private data for nefarious purposes.
As I said, making government more efficient is something I'm for, if done in a thoughtful and lawful manner. That was not the case in any way, shape or form with Musk and his group.
I fully agree we should review government services and regulations to make them more efficient and effective. Not easy to do, but worthwhile.
Not easy to do because we all have our own definitions of what is efficient, effective, wasteful, and fraudulent — and many of those definitions depend on our politics and ideology. The question is, who decides? In the end, if we live in a democracy, it has to be Congress and the Executive branches as determined by voters.
No matter what political stripe we are, we deserve to get the most value from our government programs and services. But not programs and services decided by billionaires and tech bros like the so-called DOGE.
Not as an argument, but as a quesiton...do you really think do(d)ge would have made a difference...?
ª for one, I believe if they did make systematic cuts of actual waste (a lot might have also come from elon projects that they did not look at) the savings would be so small in compared to the bigger pitcher of the $6.8 trillion US Budget
ª and philosophically does it make sense.
a- The National Park Service, as an example. I did some research and found the agency cost $3.6 Billion to run, but created $55.6 Billion in revenue. Even if you could trip their budget to $3 Billion who is to day it would have a direct loss of revenues...
b-and morally, if you fire people, just to not pay their health care salaries.. are you just now morally evil (being a dick to be a dick as it seems to be the m.o. of stephne miller)?
https://edwardlow.substack.com/p/how-tac0trmped0-and-tac0eater-pos_tfnkkk?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
also, and this is an argument, not only a question.
I hear people say they are fiscal conservatives (this is not only directed to Mr.Tingley, but all fiscal conservatives) and when you look at what that means... or what it comes down to.
Let's cut snap and subsidies to poor people because they don't have lobbyists and we save money.
Fiscally what a great idea... not that you save that much money in the long run (or compared to killing people) but what kind of moral stance is that.
The same with USAid
we save money..... and who cares if people die (/sarcasm)
https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/05/28/g-s1-69186/marco-rubio-usaid-death-sickle-cell-nigeria
Well, I guess defining fiscal conservativeness is the key. Having lower taxes and smaller government are worthwhile goals, but we are a country that is among the richest in the world so we can afford to help a lot of people. LIke most things in life, it's complicated.
well, both can't be true for gQped fiscal conservatives... ..
but the current budget proposal shows they are pure liars... like all budgets to get the 'fiscal conservatives' their vote, they had to give them pork (so inflating the already high budget)
I think the lesson of DOGE should be there was not nearly as much waste in government as politicians thought.
and the lesson for us is do(D)ge just wanted to hamstring government.
To save money, you cut the execs, not the worker (the workers are (as the word implies) are the ones who do the work.)
The second lesson should be is you can't do cuts for the sake of cuts.
What do(D)ge did, would be akin to me saying I want to cut three thousand dollars out of my budget... and instead traveling less for a shorter time. I decided I would stop eating.
anyone who believed do(D)ge was helpful... aren't asking the question : "Can you show us what you saved?"
Here is where magAholes have no leg to stand on...
give us an example.
I am not saying you are wrong, but it is clear you are... if you see columns by both you will notice Mr. Doolittle is very left leaning... and maybe there is a hint from Mr. Tingley...
Though I suspect your problem is you think anyone who doesn't support the same fascism that you do (I would if I could do a screen shot of all the hate posts you have 'liked'.. but this forum doesn't allow images)... Not supporting hitler doesn't make you a bleeding heart liberal.
But go ahead give examples
Another those with tID (trmpooz Induced Dementia) have is they lack reasoning skills... and don't understand what they want to hate/believe doesn't make it true
Just co clarify, I generally "like" a post because I believe in the debate, not so much the position. It's refreshing to see the amount of debate that you do see on our newsletter. I encourage that. The debate has turned ugly in so many other sites, that it is refreshing to see a mostly civil discussion here. But we do get trolls from time to time.
what I like is often the lack of 'debate' per say... for example Mike Parwana will state a point... because I follow the issue, I know he isn't just saying what he believes, he writes what he KNOWS.. like others, I wish he would post links since it leaves no doubt and can educated those who believe waht they want to believe
The trolls are often the same people with new accounts.. sadly with the same lack of facts.. haven't figured who ren tall, but s/he should have bought because I don't believe the rental. but '@conservative1967' kind of smacks of the usual liars.
for one when you look at his/her profile only been around since a couple months, subscribes to your substack and THE UPSTATE AMERICAN (both pointing out gQped lies.
and s/he likes all posts that are dishonest TAC0eater posts like t(h)e reagan
Thank you again, Ken and Will. You bring us what is needed.
With empathy and compassion as well as unembellished news!
Violent rhetoric has been increasing for many years and is inescapable.
It’s changed us, whether we want it to or not, whether we think it has or not.
Nobody has dialed things up more than Donald Trump, although Elise Stefanik and her paid staff work very hard to be as aggressive.
And no sooner than I post this comment Donald Trump proves me correct, refuses to call Gov Walz after the assassinations (and attempts) of representatives in Minnesota.
Trump encourages the violence. He wants an active civil war on our streets.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/us/trump-walz-minnesota-shootings.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Pk8._u9z.nTEO6SZi5jCd&smid=url-share
She is definitely trying to be a mini-Trump.
And so is Dan Stec.
Not surprisingly, I believe Dear Leader has reversed again and is back to targeting farms, courts, any easy pickings as far as making apprehensions.
His social media bleats change hourly and nothing he says can be believed anyway. I’m sure the rest of the G7 was sorry he cut short his PR tour for Putin.
Yes, I saw that this morning. Interesting column by Forest Hartley in Post-Star (in the editorial slot on the editorial page - a little weird) where he talks about how Trump should have known his policies would devastate agriculture. But then yesterday, the administration reversed itself again. Starting to wonder if Stephen Miller or Trump is calling the shots on immigration.
I have suspected for some time that Stephen Miller has a strong say in what is happening in our country.
As with everything else Trump does, the reversal of his immigrant policy is money driven. This Substack post explains it well.
https://open.substack.com/pub/popularinformation/p/trumps-abrupt-policy-switch-on-immigration?r=207fcr&utm_medium=ios
After a May (2025) 4 week visit to England , Scotland, Ireland- there is a vivid conversation
with a waitress in a Portsmouth pub. She and her husband had visited NYC,NJ, and DC last August. Her disappointment was obvious stating "you have to be very brave to travel U.S.".
The waitress added that she never saw the word "fight" so often-chants, oppressive signs,
and wide spread immature activity. (I did add " both sides" to the conversation and explained
we were in election times). She concluded her husband and her will not revisit.
It is always good to get an outside view. I remember traveling in Ireland during Iraq war and was constantly questioned about why we had invaded Iraq. I explained many in the U.S. did not support the war. It didn't help.
I have had a lot of contact with people from other countries... and have been embarrassed and overwhelmed when they would ask me questions like: "why did you invade Iraq" or worse "Why did the president invade Iraq."
It is in moments that I think I know the answer.. I realize.. those questions really can not be answered by me..
Today’s Post Star reflects inclusive coverage of the Glens Falls/Warrensburg rallies with pics and interviews with peaceful protesters. The digital website includes a lengthy video of the downtown attacker “take-down” by the 2 women and other folks… and the MAGA perp being tied with restraints behind his back and led off to a police vehicle… while true patriots chanted “Lock Him Up! Lock Him Up!”
Bravo to Ken and everyone who reported events so quickly, and to Forrest Hartley for his column today, and Kevin and Bernice’s published letters to the editor. And to our new Post Star Editor, Lisa Reider, who in her June 10th Op-Ed praises our local community residents and business owners as she and her husband continue to search for an affordable home in our area to minimize her commute/need for hotel accommodations.
Surely there must be a local realty firm willing to vigorously advocate for our new hometown newspaper editor - as it would be great advertisement for any area broker to land them a home in the Hometown, USA vicinity!
I noticed the letters today too. It is a reminder that traditional media and letters to the editor can have an impact. I do wish the newspaper had posted the news more quickly. Waiting until Tuesday, well, is it news still? Sorry, you can't take the editor out of the boy.
If readers can access Andrew Valenza’s beautifully crafted Post Star Op-Ed “Goodbye for now” from 5/24/25, he laments the many restrictions/turnovers imposed by the Post Star parent company, while chronicling his own journey as a St. Mary’s kid (and son of a previous police chief,) who went on to serve in the NY Army National Guard, and pursued his quest to become a Post Star reporter. And though Steve Thurston told him he was “over-qualified”…Andrew went on to become a prolific writer and investigative reporter for our local paper. He hopes to return in the future.
It is a “novella” well worth reading. Sorry I don’t know how to transmit that Post Star issue page.
Regarding your commentary on Trump as our Commander in Chief, I find it baffling that his past conduct as a draft dodger and his uncomplimentary remarks about POW’s being losers, or Medal of Honor winners being subordinate to civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients can be “explained” or “excused”. I don’t like it but....I’m left to name calling. He’s an idiot.
I think that description is being kind.
Steven Miller must have had a hemorrhoid explode after he read that Trump was chickening out on the deportaion plan, but Trump never sticks to the script. Having spent the past four weekend in NYC, I am even more baffled by the right's hatred of migrants and for the folks walking in our grandparents shoes. I encountered people from all over who work hard and want to make a life for themselves . The migrants "invasion " is less the on half of one percent of our population, we have room for those that want to make a life here. As a child we were told , with pride, that America is the melting pot of the world, all comers adding to the national character, and becoming fellow citizens. But as a political tool, hatred and fear and anger are easy to whip up, and it get's these scoundrels elected.
TAC0ped0