The negative reactions were unacceptable behavior that has , unfortunately, become the norm because Trump has constantly displayed negative and unacceptable behavior. Trump is a man of few principles, outrageous comments, and vile behavior. He certainly has zero redeeming qualities, and unfortunately is promoting behavior that never should be accepted.
The threats of violence, real or implied, derived directly from the generalized mass of MAGA followers, are designed to intimidate and ultimately to suppress the candidate and the voters. RIP Voting Rights Act of 1965, which met its demise in the 2013 SCOTUS ruling of Shelby County v. Holder. We have people in NY-21 who identify as "closet Democrats" because they are genuinely concerned for their personal safety. They are willing to do behind-the-scenes work on my campaign, but they do not feel comfortable putting themselves or their families at risk by public displays of support for a non-MAGA candidate. I thought they were exaggerating or simply paranoid until I experienced anonymous death threats myself.
When Trump was convicted, you said that we need to respect our judicial system. When the Supreme Court makes a ruling you disagree with you say the judicial system is broken.
Maybe it is because we have seen that the judicial system in NYC functioned in a legitimate fashion while at the same time it has been revealed that the Supreme Court of the USA has been packed with extremist ideologues who refuse to step aside when they have clear conflicts of interest, and who speak out of one side of their mouth about Textualism and original intent then endorse opinions that overthrow long precedent they publicly supported in confirmation hearings.
We live in a deeply divided country. When one side gets a judicial ruling that they like, they find reasons to say that the judicial system is fair and honest. When one side gets the ruling they don’t like, they find reasons to say that a judicial system is unfair and dishonest.
You’re right that we live in a divided country. And one of those divisions is one side rife with people, including its presidential candidate, who make extensive threats against judges, prosecutors, and witnesses involved in cases with which they disagree. The two sides are not equivalent.
Well, a jury of his peers convicted Trump. The Supreme Court has shown some failings when it comes to ethics. And really, the Court ruled presidents are above the law when conducting their official duties. Yeah, that seems broken to me. No one should be above the law.
But you know any conviction would result in an appeal to be decided by the Courts and seeing what this court has done, my guess is, yes, they will let any president get away with murder.
It's not that complicated. One decision held a criminal accountable according to the laws of the land. Another decision allows certain criminals to get away with their crimes, invalidating the laws of the land (at least as they apply to the powerful elites).
It's not unreasonable for decent, law-abiding Americans regardless of political party to have problems with this. And to wonder why there's one rule for the powerful elites and another for those of us who actually work for a living.
One also has to wonder how a political party can simultaneously run a campaign of "The other party is responsible for crime running amok" while slavishly backing a 34 times convicted felon.
And one side, including its presidential candidate, pushes a false claim of a fraudulent election and supports a violent attempt at an insurrection. Yeah, I’d say that’s pretty deep.
I’m not sure that we do agree on that. I think there are segments of Americans — “sides" — who are divided on certain aspects of politics, some of which are deep divisions. But overall, I think we’re more alike than different, and most of us agree on many things.
Bless the North Country Light Brigade! Sadly shining the light on something is far from safe these days. Someone comes along (usually someone with money and power) and extinguishes that light. I always believed good would win over evil but that doesn't seem to be the case over the past decade. I know we always have to go dark periods but this feels like the worst storm I've seen in my lifetime. I saw something the other day that said "Do you remember that feeling you had just when the second plane hit the tower? That is how I feel right now." I thought that was perfect.
While it is unacceptable for people to threaten others over ideas change is threatening to people of conservative mindset who think that things were much better when they were younger.
Things have gotten better in recent years, but there is the threat of a return to a worse America where women don’t have the right to decide their own healthcare, where people need to hide who they are.
While we think many of our current elected leaders are promoting violence, and they are, we shouldn’t forget leaders like Jerry Solomon who felt it was appropriate on the floor of the House of Representatives to call for people he disagreed with to be “horsewhipped.”
What kind of a person even thinks of that sort of language? What kind of person would whip a horse? We elected that guy over and over and over again.
I believe one reason we elect people like Solomon and Stefanik is because the majority of voters are not well informed. Which is why Ken’s work is so on point. Thanks, Ken for repeatedly reminding us of the importance of free and unbiased local press.
I’m starting to think you are not a native English speaker. That would explain why you misunderstand me so often. English is a confusing language and you have my sympathy. For instance, a cat-o-nine-tails is not a feline with 9 tails at all. It’s a whip. Similarly, being horsewhipped is not actually about whipping horses but about using a lash in a manner that might have been used against a horse by an unprincipled person. Keep working at using your English language skills and read a wide variety of materials and you’ll get better at it.
But your point about jockeys on race horses is worth considering. Jockeys are not the owners of the horses they ride, they are hired help whose job incentivizes them to whip immature horses, colts and fillies, to gain advantage for owners at the risk of crippling and death to the animal.
It’s a good analogy for an abusive system that incentivizes people to take advantage of others in pursuit of personal gain.
It is frightening, it is a playbook, i just donated...I give to GAP. the government accountability office, and to FSEEE (Forest service ethical employees), both of whom support whistleblowers who reveal what is true and are threatened with lawsuits, the good truthtellers often ending up in prisons while the corrupt powers are free. I am very inspired by those who risk their lives to fight for truth and justice....and continually horrified by the forces of greed and power. Thank you, Ken, for being a truth teller....
Our local sheriff and police have been diligent in protecting our rights to assemble and to keep out anyone threatening our activities. I am appreciative of their actions that care for all of our rights.
And thank you, Ken, for writing this--and telling people that Scotus stands for the Supreme Court which has done everything to erode our rights and to make those who threaten those rights have immunity--both Trump and environmental agencies which try to protect our earth, air, water.
“Court officials said the complaint alleged when Kelly was asked if he still wanted to kill President Biden, Kelly said he would if he could. Kelly was detained and will appear in court again on Friday.”
I’d love to hear him give a coherent answer why he wants to kill President Biden. I can’t wait for this cult to end.
One of the biggest threats to American newspapers is them being whittled down to nothing by their corporate masters, as is happening to the Post-Star and many other local papers. If the PS dies, and it's certainly headed in the wrong direction right now, there would be no one to do journalism about the population center. That's not good for anybody. New England has a lot of small independent community newspapers that do great work. The Hill Country Observer and Lake George Mirror do as well. Glens Falls/Queensbury, with far bigger population, could use one.
They told us why. They said presidents were above the law. So, "Shame on SCOTUS." One person who stopped did not know what SCOTUS stood for.
You did not understand Ken’s reply.
They could have used Alito's Wife's own words for shame: "Vergogna SCOTUS"
The negative reactions were unacceptable behavior that has , unfortunately, become the norm because Trump has constantly displayed negative and unacceptable behavior. Trump is a man of few principles, outrageous comments, and vile behavior. He certainly has zero redeeming qualities, and unfortunately is promoting behavior that never should be accepted.
The threats of violence, real or implied, derived directly from the generalized mass of MAGA followers, are designed to intimidate and ultimately to suppress the candidate and the voters. RIP Voting Rights Act of 1965, which met its demise in the 2013 SCOTUS ruling of Shelby County v. Holder. We have people in NY-21 who identify as "closet Democrats" because they are genuinely concerned for their personal safety. They are willing to do behind-the-scenes work on my campaign, but they do not feel comfortable putting themselves or their families at risk by public displays of support for a non-MAGA candidate. I thought they were exaggerating or simply paranoid until I experienced anonymous death threats myself.
It is a sad state of affairs to heard stories like this.
I think that each person has a choice about whether to expose their identity or not.
And, it's important for this news (about the "closet Democrats") to get out.
Thanks for your post.
The Roy Cohn playbook, MAGA-fied.
When Trump was convicted, you said that we need to respect our judicial system. When the Supreme Court makes a ruling you disagree with you say the judicial system is broken.
Good points, so why the change?
Maybe it is because we have seen that the judicial system in NYC functioned in a legitimate fashion while at the same time it has been revealed that the Supreme Court of the USA has been packed with extremist ideologues who refuse to step aside when they have clear conflicts of interest, and who speak out of one side of their mouth about Textualism and original intent then endorse opinions that overthrow long precedent they publicly supported in confirmation hearings.
That is a good explanation as well.
We live in a deeply divided country. When one side gets a judicial ruling that they like, they find reasons to say that the judicial system is fair and honest. When one side gets the ruling they don’t like, they find reasons to say that a judicial system is unfair and dishonest.
Well, I’m fine with the Hunter Biden trial.
You’re right that we live in a divided country. And one of those divisions is one side rife with people, including its presidential candidate, who make extensive threats against judges, prosecutors, and witnesses involved in cases with which they disagree. The two sides are not equivalent.
Well, a jury of his peers convicted Trump. The Supreme Court has shown some failings when it comes to ethics. And really, the Court ruled presidents are above the law when conducting their official duties. Yeah, that seems broken to me. No one should be above the law.
But you know any conviction would result in an appeal to be decided by the Courts and seeing what this court has done, my guess is, yes, they will let any president get away with murder.
Or allow some Presidents to do stuff and stop others from doing similar things, depending on who that President is.
It's not that complicated. One decision held a criminal accountable according to the laws of the land. Another decision allows certain criminals to get away with their crimes, invalidating the laws of the land (at least as they apply to the powerful elites).
It's not unreasonable for decent, law-abiding Americans regardless of political party to have problems with this. And to wonder why there's one rule for the powerful elites and another for those of us who actually work for a living.
One also has to wonder how a political party can simultaneously run a campaign of "The other party is responsible for crime running amok" while slavishly backing a 34 times convicted felon.
Like I say, we are a deeply divided country
And one side, including its presidential candidate, pushes a false claim of a fraudulent election and supports a violent attempt at an insurrection. Yeah, I’d say that’s pretty deep.
Thanks Bob. At least we agree that we are deeply divided.
I’m not sure that we do agree on that. I think there are segments of Americans — “sides" — who are divided on certain aspects of politics, some of which are deep divisions. But overall, I think we’re more alike than different, and most of us agree on many things.
Bless the North Country Light Brigade! Sadly shining the light on something is far from safe these days. Someone comes along (usually someone with money and power) and extinguishes that light. I always believed good would win over evil but that doesn't seem to be the case over the past decade. I know we always have to go dark periods but this feels like the worst storm I've seen in my lifetime. I saw something the other day that said "Do you remember that feeling you had just when the second plane hit the tower? That is how I feel right now." I thought that was perfect.
This story about the newspaper, Mississippi Today and the problems it is facing bears repeating as often as possible. Thanks for sharing it.
While it is unacceptable for people to threaten others over ideas change is threatening to people of conservative mindset who think that things were much better when they were younger.
Things have gotten better in recent years, but there is the threat of a return to a worse America where women don’t have the right to decide their own healthcare, where people need to hide who they are.
While we think many of our current elected leaders are promoting violence, and they are, we shouldn’t forget leaders like Jerry Solomon who felt it was appropriate on the floor of the House of Representatives to call for people he disagreed with to be “horsewhipped.”
What kind of a person even thinks of that sort of language? What kind of person would whip a horse? We elected that guy over and over and over again.
I believe one reason we elect people like Solomon and Stefanik is because the majority of voters are not well informed. Which is why Ken’s work is so on point. Thanks, Ken for repeatedly reminding us of the importance of free and unbiased local press.
Mike, how about Horse Jockeys? Last time I was at the Saratoga Race Track I saw several Jockeys use a whip.
I’m starting to think you are not a native English speaker. That would explain why you misunderstand me so often. English is a confusing language and you have my sympathy. For instance, a cat-o-nine-tails is not a feline with 9 tails at all. It’s a whip. Similarly, being horsewhipped is not actually about whipping horses but about using a lash in a manner that might have been used against a horse by an unprincipled person. Keep working at using your English language skills and read a wide variety of materials and you’ll get better at it.
But your point about jockeys on race horses is worth considering. Jockeys are not the owners of the horses they ride, they are hired help whose job incentivizes them to whip immature horses, colts and fillies, to gain advantage for owners at the risk of crippling and death to the animal.
It’s a good analogy for an abusive system that incentivizes people to take advantage of others in pursuit of personal gain.
..."We" ?...
It is frightening, it is a playbook, i just donated...I give to GAP. the government accountability office, and to FSEEE (Forest service ethical employees), both of whom support whistleblowers who reveal what is true and are threatened with lawsuits, the good truthtellers often ending up in prisons while the corrupt powers are free. I am very inspired by those who risk their lives to fight for truth and justice....and continually horrified by the forces of greed and power. Thank you, Ken, for being a truth teller....
Our local sheriff and police have been diligent in protecting our rights to assemble and to keep out anyone threatening our activities. I am appreciative of their actions that care for all of our rights.
And thank you, Ken, for writing this--and telling people that Scotus stands for the Supreme Court which has done everything to erode our rights and to make those who threaten those rights have immunity--both Trump and environmental agencies which try to protect our earth, air, water.
I’m sure Troy Kelly has nothing to worry about. Donald Trump will have his back. 🤣
Or if he’s really lucky he can become a MAGA star a là Kyle Rittenhouse.
“Court officials said the complaint alleged when Kelly was asked if he still wanted to kill President Biden, Kelly said he would if he could. Kelly was detained and will appear in court again on Friday.”
I’d love to hear him give a coherent answer why he wants to kill President Biden. I can’t wait for this cult to end.
https://www.news10.com/news/crime/crown-point-man-charged-for-making-presidential-threat/
One of the biggest threats to American newspapers is them being whittled down to nothing by their corporate masters, as is happening to the Post-Star and many other local papers. If the PS dies, and it's certainly headed in the wrong direction right now, there would be no one to do journalism about the population center. That's not good for anybody. New England has a lot of small independent community newspapers that do great work. The Hill Country Observer and Lake George Mirror do as well. Glens Falls/Queensbury, with far bigger population, could use one.
Important column Ken. I was unaware of these new development and you have persuaded me to donate!
Thanks for the report on Mississippi Today travails, brought on by the Governor. I donated through the link you provided.
I think we need to a gofundme page for the Mississippi paper and its reporters. The Stormy Daniel’s gofundme raise hundreds of thousands!
NM. I missed the link. Going there now to donate.