Stefanik campaign goes juvenile
Newspapers a hot topic at this year’s Saratoga Book Festival
By Ken Tingley
Rep. Elise Stefanik stood in front this sign in Schoharie County, then posted it on Twitter Monday.
She is smiling and she is pointing up at the sign with her left index finger so it is clear she knows the sign is there and what it means.
It is clear she is endorsing a message that is not only profane but dangerous.
Former North Country Public Radio reporter Brian Mann explained it succinctly in a Tweet of his own by explaining that by taking the first letter of each word, it is widely understood in far right political circles to mean “Fuc# Joe Biden.”
Many of my contemporary readers - yes, I’m 65 - did not know what the words on the sign signified without an explanation.
That’s because they are of another generation where that type of language is not embraced nor celebrated.
That’s because they come from a time when a member of Congress was respected and expected to set a good example.
Look at Rep. Stefanik’s smile again in the photo.
The only thing missing is a wink.
Among the more than 5,000 comments below the tweet was one person who wondered if people in her office also sat around making fart noises.
That is the level of the discourse she is endorsing.
Rep. Stefanik once boasted about being the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. She was the next generation with new ideas eager to solve problems with a new way of thinking. She has fallen grossly short in that regard.
This one photo shows a lack of maturity, a lack of respect and the need to be part of the off-color rancor that has become acceptable in national politics.
Remember this photo when you go to the polls.
It is a reminder that Rep. Stefanik is on a mission to divide the country and destroy the opposition party no matter what it takes.
It is a reminder this is nothing more than a political game where she has no respect, not only for the opposition, but the residents of her district.
If I saw this type of photo my son’s Facebook page, I would tell him to take it down.
I would tell him he has to grow up.
I would tell him he should be ashamed.
If you don’t agree with the President or your congressional opponent, explain to the voters how you would do things differently But as of this late date, Rep. Stefanik is too busy hate-mongering on Twitter to debate her opponent.
Expletives have become far too prevalent on social media on both sides. But I’m old school in that regard. I banned using the word “suck” in print when I was editor of my local newspaper because I believed it cheapens our language.
Using an expletive is far worse.
Maybe Rep. Stefanik should have the photo framed and hung in a prominent place in her residence where at some point she can explain it to her young son what it means and why she thinks it is so damn funny.
Mann gave the photo further context in his Tweet, explaining that it is “truly amazing how far political discourse has coarsened in our NoCo region. Unthinkable under Owens, McHugh, etc.” Go ahead and add Republican Chris Gibson to that list as well. All these representatives were respected by members of both parties.
How many of us would turn to a neighbor and use the “F-word” because we disagree with town, state or national policy?
Perhaps Rep. Stefanik does not understand the power of her position, the responsibility that comes with being a leader of our nation.
She has set the worst of examples for children and adults alike.
She has given the nod, the go-ahead to each and every one of her followers to use this type of profanity because they disagree with their neighbors’ politics.
She has declared war on civility and taken another step toward driving us all apart.
Remember this photo and what it says about the person in it.
It is juvenile and unbecoming for a person in her position. Elise Stefanik has nothing to smile about and neither do we, because she represents us.
Book event
If you haven’t picked up a copy of my new book “The Last American Newspaper,” you might want to check out the panel discussion on newspapers at the Saratoga Book Festival on Saturday.
Joining me on the panel will be former Post-Star editors Will Doolittle and Mark Mahoney. Will recently retired and Mark is currently editorial page editor of The Gazette in Schenectady.
The whole event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at Saratoga Arts - Dee Sarno Theatre at 320 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. I will also be signing books after the event.
It is the first of a day-long series of events with authors so check out the schedule online.
Tweet of the Day
No, Ken, I disagree, this is not juvenile behavior. It's violent behavior. And Stefanik has embraced violence since the day she overlooked Trump's Access Hollywood rhetoric. It's dangerous. It's not farting. It's creeping authoritarianism. Please do better. She fundraises with Trump, who choreographed a violent attack on our Capitol. Raised millions post January 6th, embracing lies and armed insurgents. Please.
Vote this blight on the good people of the North Country OUT!